EPA Sets Timetable to Achieve Plastics-free Ocean Goal

[Picture from previous article Litter Found in the Bellies of Dolphinfish ]

A range of disposable plastic products, including plastic bags, drinking straws, disposable tableware, eating utensils, and drinking cups, will be completely banned by 2030 under a plan rolled out by the Environmental Protection Administration today, February 13.

EPA Director, Lee Ying-Yuan launched the Taiwan Marine Waste Management Action Plan this morning. Under the plan, next year, 2019, will see plastic drinking straws banned in major chain restaurants. By 2025, the disposable plastic products will only be available on a user-pays basis, and by 2030, they will be banned completely.

The Taiwan Marine Waste Management Action Plan is being implemented in order to achieve the key policy goal of a plastics-free ocean.

In response to the increasing threat of plastics pollution in the marine environment, the EPA in July last year set up the “platform for the management of marine debris,” in cooperation with environmental groups, and hosting a series of consultations and discussions lasting 6 months.

Groups involved included the Marine Citizen’s Foundation, Tzu Chi Organic Agriculture Development Foundation, the Wilderness Protection Association, Kuroshio Marine Culture and Education Foundation, Haiyong Studio, Greenpeace, Taiwan Wild Wild Ecology Association, and the Environmental Information Association.

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