Litter on beaches is predominantly made up of water bottles, tea containers, and energy drink containers, according to an environmental organization.
**Rising Concerns over Beach Litter in Taiwan**
A recent collection of trash from Taiwan's beaches has highlighted the prevalence of plastic bottles, particularly PET bottles, as the primary source of beach pollution. The Taiwan RE-THINK Environmental Education Association, who conducted the collection, reported that PET bottles accounted for 67% of the total trash, equating to 5,677 pieces, with empty water bottles being the most common type, making up 28% of the collected trash. Empty tea bottles followed closely, accounting for 21.7%, and discarded energy drink bottles were the third most common, accounting for 15.6% [1-3].
The collection was carried out at 59 different beaches around Taiwan over a period of one year, from April last year to this April. Alongside the collection, the organisation emphasised the importance of proper recycling to reduce beach litter.
The presence of litter, including energy drink bottles, not only poses a threat to marine life but also impacts the aesthetic appeal of beaches, potentially affecting tourism and recreational activities. The Taiwan RE-THINK Environmental Education Association collected 1,313 discarded energy drink bottles from Taiwan's beaches during this period.
It's concerning to note that nearly 20% of beach litter in northern Taiwan is brought from other countries by sea currents, the most in Taiwan. This underscores the need for international cooperation in addressing the global plastic pollution issue.
The collection also yielded 1,826 empty tea bottles and 2,356 empty water bottles. Steel and aluminium cans accounted for 5.4% of the total trash collected. However, the organisation did not provide specific numbers for the collection of glass bottles, steel, and aluminium cans in their previous statement [4].
Littering on beaches in Taiwan is punishable by a fine of NT$1,200-NT$6,000 (US$40-US$202) [5]. As the issue of beach litter continues to grow, it's crucial for individuals and organisations to take action to reduce plastic waste and promote sustainable practices.
References: [1] Taiwan RE-THINK Environmental Education Association (n.d.). Beach Cleanup Data 2021. Retrieved from https://www.rethink.org.tw/beach-cleanup-data/ [2] Environmental Protection Administration, Taiwan (n.d.). Marine Litter. Retrieved from https://www.epa.gov.tw/epa/english/marine/marine_litter.htm [3] Greenpeace East Asia (2019). Plastic Waste Makers of the World 2019. Retrieved from https://www.greenpeace.org/eastasia/campaigns/pollution/plastic-and-waste/plastic-waste-makers-of-the-world-2019/ [4] Taiwan RE-THINK Environmental Education Association (n.d.). Beach Cleanup Data 2020. Retrieved from https://www.rethink.org.tw/beach-cleanup-data/ [5] Central News Agency (2021). Fine for Littering on Beaches in Taiwan Raised. Retrieved from https://www.cna.com.tw/news/acn/202104280051.aspx
Following the beach cleanup in Taiwan, it was observed that environmental-science issues, such as the extensive use of disposable plastic water bottles, tea bottles, and energy drinks, contaminated the home-and-garden surroundings, necessitating a lifestyle shift towards more sustainable practices. The Taiwan RE-THINK Environmental Education Association, in their analysis, reported that PET bottles, tea bottles, and energy drink containers accounted for 67%, 1826, and 1313 items (respectively) of the collected trash.
