TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taipei has banned disposable plastic cups since Dec. 1, impacting operations at more than 2,200 stores.
Beverage stores across the city provide a NT＄5 discount for customers who bring their own reusable cups. The percentage of those bringing their own cups had increased from 6% to 16% since July of this year.
Replacing plastic cups with paper cups will increase the costs by around NT＄2 for each cup. According to environmental groups, however, this solution will not solve the fundamental problem since the coating of the paper cups is still plastic.
Chang Kai-ting, a campaigner for Greenpeace said: "If disposable plastic cups are replaced with paper cups, as long as they are still one-time usage cups, it will not be better for the environment. Disposable paper cups are still a resource."
"If it is used, it becomes garbage. It will still involve the issue of garbage disposal or the issue of back-end recycling. Therefore, it is only possible to reduce the use of disposable containers from the source. It's a more fundamental solution," he added.
Beverage sellers across the country are thinking of ways to be more environmentally friendly. A chain coffee business has introduced reusable cup rental services in 60 stores across northern Taiwan.
Stan, a coffee shop clerk shared how the rental system works. "After we return the cup lid, we will scan the barcode on the cup to return it. Put the cup inside, and the return process is complete. The deposit will be returned within the announced time," said Stan.
Taiwan is on a mission to reduce its plastic usage, as the country uses nearly 4 billion disposable cups per year.
