Taipei tea shops asked to stop using polystyrene cups
Central News Agency
2015-05-15 08:40 PM
Taipei, May 15 (CNA) The Taipei City government has issued a directive requiring all tea beverage shops in the city to stop using polystyrene cups beginning in June to reduce waste and protect the environment.
The city's 2,882 tea shops will be subject to the new regulation, which will be enforced starting on June 1, the city's Department of Environmental Protection said in a statement on Friday.
The only tea shop chain in Taipei still using polystyrene cups, Chingshin Cold Drink Station, has been asked to abide by the new regulation, the department said.
The agency will conduct inspections of all tea shops under the city's jurisdiction to ensure that the policy is effectively implemented, it said.
At the same time, the department said it will continue to encourage the public to bring their own cups when buying drinks, to help with environmental protection efforts.
Polystyrene cups take a long time to decompose naturally and thus create a burden on the environment, and reducing their use will contribute to environmental sustainability, the agency said.
Tea shops are commonly seen in Taiwan and can be found on almost every street corner in urban areas.
(By Huang Li-yun and Elaine Hou)
