The Taitung County Environmental Protection Bureau has taken a lead nationwide with the introduction of the “Taitung County Event Waste Reduction Guidelines,” pioneering a new environmental model. This innovative policy aims to significantly reduce the use of disposable tableware and packaged drinking water by government agencies and schools during events. It represents a tangible commitment to safeguarding the natural beauty of Taitung’s environment through practical actions.
Since its implementation in January 2023, the “Event Waste Reduction Guidelines” have shown remarkable effectiveness. Data indicates that events organized by various organizations have successfully reduced over 10,000 pieces of disposable waste. The “Taitung Waste Reduction Festival” held in 2023 attracted nearly 2,000 participants. Not only did it recycle 1,025 kilograms of reusable materials, but it also decreased the usage of disposable waste by over 200 kilograms. This event successfully integrated environmental protection concepts into daily life, encouraging people to practice sustainability in every aspect of their lives.
In summary, Taitung County has reduced 166,400 pieces of single-use disposable items in 2023, influencing approximately 27,000 individuals. This demonstrates significant achievements in waste reduction efforts.
The “Taitung Waste Reduction Festival × Summer Bear Second-Hand Waste Market” in 2024 exemplified the fullest expression of waste reduction guidelines. This event drew over 1,500 participants and successfully recycled 186.5 kilograms of waste onsite. It also avoided the use of over 13,000 disposable items. Throughout the event, only 2 kilograms of trash was generated, showcasing strong public support and determination for waste reduction initiatives.
The festival featured 70 environmental-themed booths and offered innovative services such as utensil rental and cleaning, as well as exchanges for second-hand goods and repairs for small household appliances. These efforts effectively promoted the recycling and reuse of resources, demonstrating a commitment to sustainable practices at every level of the event.
In addition to large-scale events, the Taitung County Environmental Protection Bureau continues to organize a series of small-scale activities to promote waste reduction and recycling. For instance, the “089 Happy Farm Vegetable and Fruit Market” encourages people to use eco-friendly bags for shopping. In Luye, they held a recycling event for empty pesticide containers to educate on proper recycling practices. The “Book-Book Fruit Market” set a new record for utensil rental, reducing the use of 8,082 disposable items, equivalent to a reduction of 128.61 kilograms of waste. These ongoing efforts are expected to reduce over 200,000 disposable items in 2024 alone. This reduction in waste has a carbon footprint reduction effect comparable to planting 5,000 trees annually in terms of carbon absorption.
The Taitung County Environmental Protection Bureau also actively guides various agencies and schools within its jurisdiction to implement waste reduction policies. A seminar held in March 2023 attracted participation from 55 organizations, where they collectively discussed strategies and solutions for waste reduction. This initiative, led by government agencies and schools, is gradually expanding its social influence and promoting long-term goals of sustainable resource recycling.
Looking ahead, the Environmental Protection Bureau will continue to refine the “Taitung County Event Waste Reduction Guidelines.” Through data analysis, they aim to understand the direction and goals of waste reduction, making Taitung’s achievements in waste reduction a national model. They will translate reducing waste at the source from rhetoric into concrete actions, fostering a nationwide culture of waste reduction. Ultimately, their goal is to establish Taitung as an environmentally friendly sustainable city.
The journey of waste reduction in Taitung County vividly demonstrates the local government’s innovative thinking and execution in promoting environmental policies.
Through clear guidelines, diverse activities, integrating technological applications, and continuous educational outreach, Taitung has successfully united efforts from both public and private sectors towards a more sustainable future. This comprehensive waste reduction strategy not only effectively reduces waste generation but also cultivates environmental awareness among the populace, setting a new benchmark for Taiwan’s environmental conservation efforts.
