Beverage shops in New Taipei City would from next month be banned from providing single-use plastic cups, to cut down on plastic waste, the city government said yesterday.
The 2,704 beverage shops in New Taipei City would be banned from using disposable plastic cups, including those made from the widely used bioplastic polylactic acid, the city’s Environmental Protection Department said in a statement, adding that the rule would take effect on May 1.
The regulation is expected to reduce the use of disposable plastic cups in the city by about 368 million per year, the department said.
Photo courtesy of the New Taipei City Government
Drink stores were informed of the impending policy last year, and they were advised to use up remaining stocks of plastic cups and begin purchasing paper cups instead, the department said.
After the regulation takes effect, beverage shops that contravene the rule would risk a fine of NT$1,200 to NT$6,000, which can be imposed repeatedly if contraventions continue, the department said, citing the Waste Disposal Act (廢棄物清理法).
New Taipei City is the second city to adopt the environmental protection measure, following a similar decision by Taipei in December last year.
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