2007-07-02 19:15 CIGARETTE LITTER PREVENTION PROGRAM (iv)
2007-07-01 11:14 CIGARETTE LITTER PREVENTION PROGRAM (iii)
2007-06-30 11:09 CIGARETTE LITTER PREVENTION PROGRAM (II)
The Ocean Conservancy's annual International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) addresses the most littered items by publishing a "Top 10 List." Cigarette litter was at the top of the list after the 2003 cleanup, outstripping the next item on the list by three to one.
2007-06-29 11:06 CIGARETTE LITTER PREVENTION PROGRAM (I)
2007-06-29 10:19 Taiwan and Czech Republic Sign
Taiwan and the Czech Republic signed an ecolabelling mutual
recognition agreement in 2006. The agreement was signed by the
executive organization (Environment and Development Foundation) of
the Taiwan EPA Green Mark ecolabelling system and the Czech
Ecolabelling Agency. The “Environmentally Friendly Products and
Services” ecolabelling system agreed upon by Taiwan and Czech
conforms to UN ISO/CNS 14024. Taiwan’s ecolabelling executive
organization has signed mutual recognition agreements with
ecolabelling organizations in the following nine countries: the US,
Canada, Japan, Korea, Thailand, New Zealand, Australia, Ukraine and
the Czech Republic.
2007-06-29 10:19 All Pig Farms to Be Included in Industrial Waste Report System
In response to the domestic problem of pig carcass
disposal, the EPA coordinated a joint meeting with the Council of
Agriculture and the Department of Health on 7 February 2007. During
the meeting it was decided that in the future pig raising
operations no matter how small or large will be included under the
EPA industrial waste report management system in stages. The
Council of Agriculture will inspect all farms that raise under
3,000 pigs at one time and dispose of pig carcasses on their own. A
list of these farms has been established and they will undergo
yearly onsite audits to keep track of all pig carcasses.
2007-06-29 10:18 Environmental Water Quality Monitoring Website Awarded
The EPA has completed a new version of the National
Environmental Water Quality Monitoring Information Network
(http://wqshow.epa.gov.tw/),
which will allow citizens to easily follow changes in water quality
of water bodies in Taiwan including rivers, coastal recreation
areas, reservoirs, marine waters and groundwater. Rather than
providing single lists, the new website integrates regulations
related to water quality data (such as relevant environmental
standards to protect human health) and common professional water
quality indicators (such as river pollution indicators) into
electronic map format using colors and symbols to show time-space
changes in Taiwan’s environmental water quality. The innovative
thinking and methods of this system in terms of its effects on
citizens have earned the Bureau of Standards, Metrology &
Inspection, Mi
2007-06-29 10:18 Plastic Egg Cartons, Fresh Produce Trays to Be Reduced 15% in July
To reduce the amount of plastic used in packaging, the EPA
formally passed a new plastics restriction policy in March 2007.
From 1 July 2007, mass merchants, supermarkets, shopping centers,
and department stores will be required to make an on PET, PS, PVC,
PE, and PP plastic packaging of egg cartons, fresh produce trays
(for fruit, meat, salad, etc.), and boxes for baked items including
cakes, cookies and breads. Annual reduction rates for the next two
years have been set at 15% (2007) and 25% (2008). Reduction rates
for future years will be determined according to achievement rates
of designated public and private facilities in prior years. This
policy has already been announced to the WTO. The EPA calls on all
industries to comply with this new plastics restriction policy.
Violators will face fines ranging from NT$30,000 to
NT$150,000.
To wield effectively command over industrial waste flow,
the EPA has successively announced four batches of industrial waste
clearance vehicles required to install GPS tracking equipment
according to the Waste Disposal Act (廢棄物清理法) as well as
installation schedules. Now further expanding control targets, the
EPA has convened a public hearing on 2 February 2007 to announce
newly added clearance vehicles and solicit views from all circles.
Revisions will be implemented in three stages. Revisions will take
effect from 1 September 2007 for clearance vehicles for organic
sludge, inorganic sludge, non-hazardous oil sludge, mixed sludge,
and paper pulp sludge. Revisions for all other targets will become
effective from 1 June 2007. Revisions will be effective from 1
January 2008 for organizations that have already obtained permit
documents (stating transport methods of containers or tankers)
before water pollution control measure plans and permit application
review regulations take eff
2007-06-29 10:17 Green Product e-Directory Available for Download
The EPA has compiled the Green Consumer Guide in electronic
form to increase consumer awareness and appreciation of
environmental products, promote green consumption, conserve
resources and allow all citizens to enjoy a healthy and safe living
environment. This Green Consumer Guide will provide information on
Green Mark and Class II environmental products, including recycled
products, sanitation products, information products, home
electronics, water-conserving products, energy efficient products,
office furniture, biodegradable products, organic material
products, building materials, articles for daily use, industrial
products, solar products, and Class II environmental products. The
EPA welcomes citizens and businesses to download this convenient
directory from its website: http://www.edf.org.tw/News/gcg2007-1.pdf
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