Second-hand Bag Supply Exceeds Demand by 20x; Environment Ministry to Expand Usage by Late May
The Ministry of Environment's 'Bag-for-Bag' circulation platform, launched a month ago, is facing a severe oversupply with 46,000 bags available but only 2,000 requested. The Ministry plans to cooperate with local governments to introduce the bags into traditional markets and major supermarkets like PXP and Carrefour to boost demand by the end of May.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 28, 2026 at 13:33
- 🔍 Collected: April 28, 2026 at 14:01 (28 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 28, 2026 at 14:32 (31 min after Collected)
The Ministry of Environment promoted the 'Bag-for-Bag' measure to encourage the circulation of second-hand bags. However, after one month of implementation, there is an oversupply situation where supply exceeds demand by more than 20 times. The Ministry explained that the initial stage was to ensure the supply volume, and next, it will strengthen cooperation with local environmental protection bureaus, expecting the demand volume to be reflected by the end of May.
In response to international plastic reduction trends and raw material cost pressures, the Resource Circulation Administration of the Ministry of Environment launched the 'Bag-for-Bag: Second-hand Bag Circulation Platform' on March 26. Through matching second-hand bags, it aims to let every idle paper bag or eco-bag be reused as much as possible.
However, one month after the policy started, a situation of oversupply has emerged. According to statistics, as of today, the number of registered second-hand bags available for supply has reached 46,290, but the current demand is only 2,000, a gap of more than 20 times.
Of the 17,310 bags already matched, more than 16,000 were provided to the Jianguo Flower Market in Taipei, while other units mostly requested 50 or 100 bags.
Chen Yen-nan, head of the Sustainable Consumption and Recycling Group of the Resource Circulation Administration, told the Central News Agency that in the early stages, the focus was on confirming the 'supply end.' Therefore, they sought donations from major enterprises first to ensure there was a stock of second-hand bags. The next step will be to expand toward the 'demand end.'
Chen explained that they will strengthen cooperation with local environmental protection bureaus to provide data on relevant demand in fairs and markets, and incorporate this into the 'Bag-for-Bag' platform. Collected bags can also be provided to these markets, fairs, or needy merchants through the bureaus.
Chen pointed out that since local authorities are still compiling statistics, it is estimated that by the end of May, the demand volume will gradually be reflected on the website. Currently, the environmental protection bureaus in Taichung and Kinmen are moving faster, so there is more information and data from them on the website.
In addition, Chen further explained that some hypermarkets, including PXP (Chuan Lian) and Carrefour, already provide second-hand bags. The Ministry will discuss this further with these hypermarkets and malls. If they still have a demand, the collected bags can also be provided for their use.
The Ministry of Environment stated today that the 'Bag-for-Bag' platform has been upgraded to version 2.0. The core of this revision lies in eliminating information gaps through a visual dashboard and simplified application steps, transforming waste reduction into the daily life of citizens and enterprises.
In response to international plastic reduction trends and raw material cost pressures, the Resource Circulation Administration of the Ministry of Environment launched the 'Bag-for-Bag: Second-hand Bag Circulation Platform' on March 26. Through matching second-hand bags, it aims to let every idle paper bag or eco-bag be reused as much as possible.
However, one month after the policy started, a situation of oversupply has emerged. According to statistics, as of today, the number of registered second-hand bags available for supply has reached 46,290, but the current demand is only 2,000, a gap of more than 20 times.
Of the 17,310 bags already matched, more than 16,000 were provided to the Jianguo Flower Market in Taipei, while other units mostly requested 50 or 100 bags.
Chen Yen-nan, head of the Sustainable Consumption and Recycling Group of the Resource Circulation Administration, told the Central News Agency that in the early stages, the focus was on confirming the 'supply end.' Therefore, they sought donations from major enterprises first to ensure there was a stock of second-hand bags. The next step will be to expand toward the 'demand end.'
Chen explained that they will strengthen cooperation with local environmental protection bureaus to provide data on relevant demand in fairs and markets, and incorporate this into the 'Bag-for-Bag' platform. Collected bags can also be provided to these markets, fairs, or needy merchants through the bureaus.
Chen pointed out that since local authorities are still compiling statistics, it is estimated that by the end of May, the demand volume will gradually be reflected on the website. Currently, the environmental protection bureaus in Taichung and Kinmen are moving faster, so there is more information and data from them on the website.
In addition, Chen further explained that some hypermarkets, including PXP (Chuan Lian) and Carrefour, already provide second-hand bags. The Ministry will discuss this further with these hypermarkets and malls. If they still have a demand, the collected bags can also be provided for their use.
The Ministry of Environment stated today that the 'Bag-for-Bag' platform has been upgraded to version 2.0. The core of this revision lies in eliminating information gaps through a visual dashboard and simplified application steps, transforming waste reduction into the daily life of citizens and enterprises.