To improve the image of the recycling industry, the safety of recycling sites and the reasonableness of the treatment and flow of recyclable waste, etc, the "Recyclable Waste Recycling and Treatment Industry Evaluation Program" was conducted this year and the awards ceremony was held this morning (16th) at the international conference hall of the Taipei City Youth Development and Family Education Center. Taoyuan City's counseling efforts have seen outstanding results, with a total of eight industry operators receiving awards, outperforming other administrative regions in the nation. As a major industrial city, the ability to recycle and treat waste is an important indicator and challenge. The award of the "High Distinction Merit Award" is the best testimony that the city is actively implementing a circular economy and creating an investment environment where the economy and sustainability can coexist.
This year (2022), Taoyuan nominated a total of 17 companies to participate in the recycling industry evaluation program. A total of 8 companies have been awarded the label and 5 companies have been awarded the “Cornerstone of Resource Recycling” label, including Oriental Green Materials Limited, which mainly recycles waste plastic containers and has passed ISO 9001, Global Recycled Standard GSR and ISO 14001 certification. Oriental Green Material’s Guanyin Plant 2 invested in the construction of a heat recovery furnace for the sludge and waste labels generated at the back-end of the plant, in addition to installing solar panels above the office. Evermore International Environmental Co., Ltd. recycles waste dry batteries and has obtained ISO 14001 certification and uses electric forklifts on site to meet carbon reduction targets. E&E Recycling Inc.’s Yangmei Plant 2 has achieved seven items that meet the United Nations' SDGs, including the installation of a solar power system in the plant and the use of LED lighting and water system energy-saving equipment. For 12 consecutive years, the second plant of Chungtai Resource Technology Corp’s Plant 2 has been recognized as a "Grade A” waste processing facility by the Taoyuan City Government and has been certified as an environmental education facility with a recycling rate of 98%. Through the public recognition of outstanding achievements, the awarded companies shall serve as a model for peers to enhance the efficiency and image of a circular economy.
With the rising awareness among the public on environmental protection issues, waste recycling operators are facing challenges and increased scrutiny. The Taoyuan City Department of Environmental Protection (TYDEP) is providing guidance to relevant operators so that they can take care of a sustainable environment while engaging in economic activities. This year, the “Good Recycling Neighbor” label was also awarded to one enterprise: Tonglin Enterprises Co., Ltd. is engaged in the recycling industry with complete storage and labeling in English and Chinese, as well as comprehensive facilities to effectively reduce risks and disasters. Two companies were awarded with the “Resource Circulation Foresight Label,” namely, the Xinwu Plant of Polygreen Resources Co., Ltd. Taiwan Branch(Cayman), which re-uses waste tires to make rubber asphalt available for road paving and the Yangmei Plant of E&E Recycling Inc., which has obtained ISO 14001 certification for recycling and processing of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) at its Yangmei plant. The company has also set up a special zone to provide environmental education for schoolchildren and the general public, allowing the concept of environmental sustainability to take root from an early age.
Tseng-Hsiang Chen, Deputy Director-General of the TYDEP, pointed out that Taoyuan has been able to deliver brilliant results thanks to the close public-private collaboration of the city government team and to improve on various measures for the recycling industry to facilitate mutual learning within the sector. By harnessing the power of the industry, government, academe and the private sector to develop recycling technologies and break the stereotyped image of NIMBY facilities, Taoyuan City's image of resource re-use has been reversed, transforming the industrial city of Taoyuan into a model for the recycling industry nationwide.