Disposable tableware ban starting in 2020

By ECCT Staff Writers

A ban on the use of disposable tableware at restaurants and food courts in shopping malls will take effect in 10 municipalities in Taiwan next year, the Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) said. When the new regulation is implemented, such establishments will not be permitted to use disposable tableware for dine-in customers, or the restaurants will face an initial fine of NT$1,200 to NT$6,000, said Lai Ying-ying, director-general of the EPA’s Department of Waste Management.

In addition to the fine, non-compliant establishments will be given a deadline for meeting the regulations, after which an additional fine will be imposed and increased on a daily basis, she said. Restaurants and food stalls in shopping malls and department stores in Taipei, New Taipei, Taoyuan City, Yilan County, Hualien County, Tainan City, Taitung County and Penghu County will be prohibited from using disposable tableware, effective also on January 1. A ban in Kaohsiung is scheduled to begin March 1, 2020, while a ban in Changhua County has not be exactly set but the county will definitely join the other nine counterparts to implement the prohibition.