Ministry of Environment Promotes Used Bag Recycling; Reminds that Bags with Odor or Damage are NG

Amidst the 'plastic bag chaos' caused by Middle Eastern conflicts, the Ministry of Environment has launched the 'Bag-to-Bag Cycle Platform' initiative, aiming to promote resource recycling and address the 'last mile' of plastic reduction in traditional markets. By combining a digital matching platform with corporate ESG spirit, and collaborating with environmental bureaus in 22縣市 (counties/cities), it transforms the 'idle assets' of the public into societal 'circular assets'. Minister of Environment Peng Chi-ming stated that this plan does not adopt mandatory plastic reduction bans but rather offers vendors and the public an additional choice; through stable bag sourcing generated by corporate mobilization, it can effectively alleviate the operational burden on micro-economies. The Ministry of Environment explains that the biggest difference between this plan and past efforts to collect used bags is the introduction of corporate ESG energy and digital management. Previously, environmental units had to invest manpower in collection and distribution; the 'Bag-to-Bag Cycle' platform has companies initiate internal collection and self-distribute to demand points, with environmental bureaus acting as regional matchmakers. The Ministry of Environment cited examples: New Taipei City's 'reBAG' platform has over 251 partner locations and has accumulated nearly 400,000 uses; Taipei City and Tainan City promote the integration of shopping bags and cyclic use through 'eco-friendly dual-use bags' and rental stations in tourist shopping districts (like Tainan's Guohua Street). On the corporate side, First Bank mobilized its employees to voluntarily collect over 16,000 used bags and put them into cyclic use in popular consumer areas like the Jianguo Flower Market, and recently received a certificate of appreciation from the Ministry of Environment for its plastic reduction efforts. The Ministry of Environment reminds that the platform includes a 'Used Bag Quality Self-Checklist.' Before donating, the public should first confirm according to the checklist's three major items such as cleanliness, structure, and safety. Items with obvious stains, odors, food residue, moisture damage, broken handles, leaky bottoms, significant bag damage, or contact with hazardous materials, risk of fresh blood leakage, or excessively large or small sizes are considered NG products.