Next time you check into a hotel, remember to pack your own toothbrush and comb to help protect the planet, the Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) said yesterday.
The EPA issued the call during a press conference promoting "green hotels" -- those with reduced energy consumption and waste.
"The average mid-sized hotel [from 150 to 500 rooms] consumes more disposable personal care products in a week than 100 families in a year," said Yang Ching-shi (
The definition of a "green hotel," however, does not stop at discontinuing the provision of plastic shower caps or disposable razors. Citing a 2001 study, Yang said that at 902 liters, water consumption per person per day was three times the domestic usage.
"Take for example the Gaia Napa Valley Hotel in the US, which received a Gold Rating for the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design from the US Green Building Council," Yang said.
"The environmentally friendly hotel, run by Taiwanese-American Chang Wen-i (
In Taiwan, Leofoo Development Co (
The hotels will cease to offer disposable products such as toothbrushes and razors in guest rooms, Westin marketing communications assistant manager Fennie Kuo (
"In addition, we will provide shampoo and conditioner with a free travel pack so that guests can take them away after they check out. We hope this will help promote the concept of bringing your own personal products on trips."
Yang said that more than 80 percent of hotels had responded positively in a questionnaire in which they were asked if they would participate in the campaign.
"As such, the administration will establish certification guidelines next year," Yang said.
"Hotels can voluntarily apply for the certification and customers who wish to frequent environmentally friendly hotels can use [this certification] as a reference," he said.
The administration is hosting a poll to select the nation's top-10 green hotels, Yang said.
People can nominate hotels and vote online at www.buygreentw.net through Jan. 15, where they could win prizes including an energy-friendly portable computers, he said.
PROCEDURE: Although there is already a cross-strait agreement in place for the extradition of criminals, ample notice is meant to be given to the other side first Ten Taiwanese who were involved in fraud-related crimes in China were extradited back to Taiwan via Kinmen County on Wednesday, four of whom are convicted fraudsters in Taiwan. The 10 people arrived via a ferry operating between Xiamen and Kinmen, also known as the “small three links.” The Kinmen County Prosecutors’ Office yesterday said that four of the 10 extradited people were convicted in Taiwan for committing fraud and contravening the Money Laundering Control Act (洗錢防制法), and were on the wanted list. They were immediately arrested upon arrival and sent to Kinmen Prison to serve their sentences following brief questioning, the office said.
Taipei and Kaohsiung have extended an open invitation to Japanese pop star Ayumi Hamasaki after Chinese authorities abruptly canceled her scheduled concert in Shanghai. Hamasaki, 47, had been slated to perform on Saturday before organizers pulled the show at the last minute, citing “force majeure,” a move widely viewed as retaliation for Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s recent remark that a Chinese attack on Taiwan could draw a military response from Tokyo. Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安) yesterday said the city “very much welcomes” Hamasaki’s return and would continue to “surprise” her. Hamasaki, who has a large global fan base, including
‘REGRETTABLE’: Travelers reported that Seoul’s online arrival card system lists Taiwan as ‘China (Taiwan),’ the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said The Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday urged South Korea to correct the way Taiwan is listed in its newly launched e-Arrival card system, saying the current designation downgrades the nation’s status. South Korea rolled out the online system on Feb. 24 to gradually replace paper arrival cards, which it plans to phase out by next year. Travelers must complete the electronic form up to 72 hours before entering the country. The ministry said it has received multiple complaints from Taiwanese travelers saying that the system lists Taiwan as “China (Taiwan)” in dropdown menus for both “place of departure” and “next
Starting next month, people who signed up for the TPass 2.0 program can receive a 15 percent rebate for trips on mid to long-distance freeway buses or on buses headed to the east coast twice every month, the Highway Bureau said. Bureau Director-General Lin Fu-shan (林福山) said the government started TPass 2.0 to offer rebates to frequent riders of public transportation, or people who use city buses, highway buses, trains or MRTs at least 11 times per month. As of Nov. 12, 265,000 people have registered for TPass 2.0, and about 16.56 million trips between February and September qualified for
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