Since establishing its environmental volunteer team in 2019, Yongping Village in Yangmei District, Taoyuan City, under the leadership of Village Chief Tao Chi-Jui, has brought together 69 volunteers, schools, and residents to promote a “net-zero lifestyle.” The community has installed “rainwater tanks,” which have collected 15 metric tons of rainwater for irrigating vegetable gardens, demonstrating the concept of water resource circulation. In addition, previously neglected irrigation canals and under-bridge spaces have been transformed into a “non-toxic, eco-friendly herb and vegetable garden,” providing residents with green spaces for walking, jogging, and harvesting produce, while putting into practice the concept of local production and local consumption. These efforts have earned Yongping Village the Silver Certification under the Ministry of Environment’s Low-Carbon Sustainable Homeland program, making it a model for promoting net-zero green living in Taoyuan.
TYDEP Director-General Yen Chi-Liang noted that Yongping Village has achieved 9,200 square meters of green coverage, with annual recycling exceeding 10 metric tons and carbon reduction reaching 8 metric tons of CO₂e. Additionally, local bicycle rentals have surpassed 50,000 uses, reflecting the success in ecological greening, resource circulation, low-carbon transportation, and energy-saving practices. Streets such as Yongmei Road, Yixin 1st Street, and areas around Puxin Market Park are lined with lush greenery, where residents can enjoy fresh air and a vibrant natural environment.
Yongping Village has also promoted resource reuse through initiatives such as the “Taole Recycling Station” and the “Yongping Repair and Reuse Workshop.” These facilities transform waste into resources by repairing furniture and refurbishing donated items through creative painting. Secondhand markets further extend the life cycle of goods, reducing waste while fostering sustainable habits among schoolchildren. Meanwhile, public spaces and community centers have upgraded to energy-efficient lighting, and solar photovoltaic systems have been installed across the communities and local businesses, embedding sustainability into everyday infrastructure.
The village emphasizes public participation, regularly organizing low-carbon community meals, environmental DIY workshops, and secondhand markets. Over the past three years, these activities have attracted more than 1,500 participants. Through social media platforms, residents also share energy-saving practices, integrating net-zero concepts into daily routines.“Net zero is not a distant slogan, but small daily actions that accumulate into collective well-being,”said Chief Tao. He emphasized that Yongping Village’s success stems from collective community efforts and that the village will continue to cultivate more environmental volunteers, strengthen community engagement, and encourage broader public participation to build a sustainable, low-carbon community.