SP: English Study Group

Fast food shops and department stores, amongst others to stop providing single-use plastic straws to eat-in customers on July 1 next year

By Scott Morgan,Taiwan News, Staff Writer

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – The Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) announced Friday that the first stage of the single-use plastic straw ban will enter into force on July 1, 2019, targeting the public sector, schools, department stores and fast food restaurants.

The first stage of the ban will bar these four groups from providing single-use plastic straws to customers drinking within the premises.

The initial ban is expected to impact around 8,000 stores. The total abolition of single-use plastic straws is hoped to take place by 2025.

Stores who continue to provide the banned tube after July 1, 2019 will first receive a written warning. If the offense continues, they will be fined between NT$1,200 (US$40) and NT$6,000.

The move comes after mounting national and international concern over ocean pollution caused by disposable plastic.

In cities where similar plastic straw bans have been announced, some companies have switched to single-use straws made from paper, reported Yahoo News.  

A draft communique by the EPA outlining the expected nature and extent of the ban will be released soon. The public are encouraged to respond to the communique to improve the legislation.

Questions:

1. This policy get criticized by a lot of citizens in Taiwan. What is your opinion on the plastic straw and plastic bag ban? Do you use any alternative to replace plastic straw? 
2.  Besides plastic straw and plastic bag, what kind of waste made by human should we pay more attention on because they are usually ingnored? Like electronic waste, menstrual pad, diaper, etc.? Do you make any effort to reduce the use of these products?