Peng Chi-ming: Responding to Middle East Conflict to Promote Plastic Reduction, Hopes for Increased Use of Recycled Materials
Minister of Environment Peng Chi-ming highlighted that the Middle East conflict and rising oil prices are significantly impacting the global petrochemical industry. He emphasized the need to reduce plastic use and increase the utilization of recycled materials, aiming for a 20-30% recycled content rate in Taiwan. Peng noted that Taiwan's per capita plastic bag usage is comparable to other Asian countries but higher than in Europe and America, indicating room for improvement.
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- 📰 Published: April 8, 2026 at 10:37
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The Legislative Yuan's Social Welfare and Environmental Hygiene Committee today invited the Minister of Environment, the Ministry of Economic Affairs, the Ministry of Health and Welfare, and the Ministry of Agriculture to deliver a special report on 'Stable Supply and Plastic Reduction Simultaneously: Stable Supply of Raw Materials in Response to Fluctuations in International Raw Materials and the Progress of Taiwan's Plastic Reduction Governance,' and to answer questions.
Peng Chi-ming stated in a media interview before the meeting that the Middle East conflict has led to high oil prices, causing a significant impact on the global petrochemical industry. Under the psychology of anticipation, everyone buys a little more plastic bags, leading to a shortage of plastic bags on the market; the Ministry of Economic Affairs hopes to stabilize the public's panic and prevent their lives from being greatly affected.
Peng Chi-ming pointed out that from the Ministry of Environment's perspective, plastic use must be reduced to minimize environmental impact; however, due to changes in lifestyle, especially the increasing number of food delivery platforms, the use of plastic is actually still increasing.
Peng Chi-ming mentioned that many plastic products in Taiwan may not be produced locally but are imported from abroad and are relatively cheaper. Currently, the hope is to minimize the first-time production of plastic in Taiwan and switch to secondary recycled materials, aiming for a recycled pellet utilization rate of 20% or 30% to reduce environmental problems.
Peng Chi-ming said that the average annual use of plastic shopping bags per person in Taiwan is about 340 to 427, which is similar to Japan, South Korea, and Singapore in Asia; the highest are China and Hong Kong, with about 1000 per person per year; in Europe and America, the average annual use of plastic shopping bags per person is about 100, and in the UK, it is even only 8, indicating that Taiwan still has room for improvement.
Peng Chi-ming emphasized that a global plastic treaty may have results by the end of the year or next year, and there is still a high consensus globally on reducing plastic use. Due to Taiwan's night market and market culture, it is currently difficult to reach the level of Europe and America, but cultural change and everyone's willingness to act are the most important. (Edited by Chang Ming-kun) 1150408
Peng Chi-ming stated in a media interview before the meeting that the Middle East conflict has led to high oil prices, causing a significant impact on the global petrochemical industry. Under the psychology of anticipation, everyone buys a little more plastic bags, leading to a shortage of plastic bags on the market; the Ministry of Economic Affairs hopes to stabilize the public's panic and prevent their lives from being greatly affected.
Peng Chi-ming pointed out that from the Ministry of Environment's perspective, plastic use must be reduced to minimize environmental impact; however, due to changes in lifestyle, especially the increasing number of food delivery platforms, the use of plastic is actually still increasing.
Peng Chi-ming mentioned that many plastic products in Taiwan may not be produced locally but are imported from abroad and are relatively cheaper. Currently, the hope is to minimize the first-time production of plastic in Taiwan and switch to secondary recycled materials, aiming for a recycled pellet utilization rate of 20% or 30% to reduce environmental problems.
Peng Chi-ming said that the average annual use of plastic shopping bags per person in Taiwan is about 340 to 427, which is similar to Japan, South Korea, and Singapore in Asia; the highest are China and Hong Kong, with about 1000 per person per year; in Europe and America, the average annual use of plastic shopping bags per person is about 100, and in the UK, it is even only 8, indicating that Taiwan still has room for improvement.
Peng Chi-ming emphasized that a global plastic treaty may have results by the end of the year or next year, and there is still a high consensus globally on reducing plastic use. Due to Taiwan's night market and market culture, it is currently difficult to reach the level of Europe and America, but cultural change and everyone's willingness to act are the most important. (Edited by Chang Ming-kun) 1150408
FAQ
What is Taiwan's goal for recycled plastic material usage?
Taiwan aims to increase the utilization rate of recycled plastic pellets to 20% or 30%.