The plastic used in metal caps on glass bottles and jars could be replaced by a newly developed rubber, thereby helping to reduce damage to the environment, the Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) said yesterday.
The agency introduced “liquid silicone rubber” as a replacement for the polyvinyl chloride (PVC) used in metal twist caps, which was the result of a one-year cooperation with the Plastic Industry Development Center.
The agency said PVC is used in many household items, but studies have shown that it creates toxic dioxins through incineration — causing damage to health and the environment, which has prompted global efforts to reduce its use.
Measures in Taiwan include a 100 percent redemption coupon for recycling containers that include PVC material, introduced in 2008.
While the silicone rubber has properties similar to PVC, such as in its stretching and twisting potential, it nevertheless helps to improves food and environmental safety, the agency said.
The agency added that the material does not contain plasticizers or heavy metals, meaning that the silicon rubber complies with food safety standards.
The agency’s Recycling Fund Management Board executive secretary, Ma Nien-ho (馬念和), said that at the current low-volume production, the silicone rubber costs about three to four times as much as PVC, but if recycling and other treatment costs are included in the calculation, it proves to be cost-effective.
The agency said that the Industrial Development Bureau is to further explore ways to mass produce the silicone rubber.
A fugitive in a suspected cosmetic surgery fraud case today returned to Taiwan from Canada, after being wanted for six years. Internet celebrity Su Chen-tuan (蘇陳端), known as Lady Nai Nai (貴婦奈奈), and her former boyfriend, plastic surgeon Paul Huang (黃博健), allegedly defrauded clients and friends of about NT$1 billion (US$30.66 million). Su was put on a wanted list in 2019 when she lived in Toronto, Canada, after failing to respond to subpoenas and arrest warrants from the Taipei District Prosecutors’ Office. Su arrived at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport at 5am today on an EVA Air flight accompanied by a
COVID-19 infections have climbed for three consecutive weeks and are likely to reach another peak between next month and June, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said yesterday. Weekly hospital visits for the disease increased by 19 percent from the previous week, CDC Epidemic Intelligence Center Director Guo Hung-wei (郭宏偉) said. From Tuesday last week to yesterday, 21 cases of severe COVID-19 and seven deaths were confirmed, and from Sept. 1 last year to yesterday, there were 600 cases and 129 deaths, he said. From Oct. 1 last year to yesterday, 95.9 percent of the severe cases and 96.7 percent of the deaths
Restarting the No. 2 reactor at the Ma-anshan Nuclear Power Plant would take up to 18 months, Minister of Economic Affairs J.W. Kuo (郭智輝) said today. Kuo was answering questions during a meeting of the Legislative Yuan’s Economics Committee, where legislators are considering amendments to the Renewable Energy Development Act (再生能源發展條) amid concerns about the consequences of the Pingtung County reactor’s decommissioning scheduled for May 17. Its decommissioning is to mark the end of Taiwan’s nuclear power production. However, Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) lawmakers have proposed an amendment to the Nuclear Reactor Facilities Regulation Act (核子反應器設施管制法) that would extend the life of existing
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday demanded that Somalia reverse its decision prohibiting Taiwanese passport holders from entering or transiting through the country. Somalia said it is following the “one China” principle based on UN Resolution 2758. The ministry said that Somalia is misinterpreting the resolution under China’s instigation, creating a false impression that Taiwan is subordinate to China. The Somali Civil Aviation Authority told airlines on Tuesday last week that starting today, any passengers with passports or travel documents issued from Taiwan or its affiliated institutions would not be allowed to enter or transit through Somalia. The decision comes as Taiwan is boosting
RSS