Strategies, actions, and policies by Taiwan’s ENGOs, media, and government to reduce plastic use and marine plastic pollution

Abstract

Plastic pollution has become an increasing environmental threat, and means to mitigate it need to be developed. Since Taiwan has introduced numerous policies to reduce plastic use and pollution, we here review the strategies, actions, and policies by Taiwan’s stakeholders to reduce plastic use and pollution. The information was obtained through a literature review and expert knowledge. We first provide some historical background about the development of environmental issues in Taiwan over the last few decades. We then review the main contributions of each stakeholder (ENGOs, media, government, and industry) to the plastic pollution problem during Taiwan’s last three national governments. During the 2000–2008 government phase, ENGOs learned cleanup, monitoring, and outreach methods which they used to raise public awareness. The 2008–2016 government phase was characterized by ENGOs learning more scientific methods and increasing public outreach. The media began to report on this issue, while the government drifted with few responses. The current government phase has been characterized by continued ENGO activities and a sudden explosion of media interest; this coincided with a much more active and positive government approach which culminated in an ambitious, unprecedented, and wide-ranging 10-year Action Plan which should greatly advance source reduction and removal of plastic waste, scientific monitoring and research, and public outreach. Due to the long-time efforts by ENGOs to influence other stakeholders, Taiwan has become a relatively successful example of how to tackle the plastic pollution problem which may inspire a more concerted effort by other governments using Taiwan as a blueprint.