Partnering with the Rakuten Monkeys, the Taoyuan City Government launched its annual environmental theme days, the “Sustainability Party,” for two days at the Taoyuan International Baseball Stadium. Taoyuan Deputy Mayor Su Jun-Bin attended the event on June 23 to throw out the ceremonial first pitch. Su noted that this is the fourth year of the program, adding that the city has long partnered with Rakuten Monkeys and united influential local enterprises to amplify green action. This initiative has transformed the stadium into a sustainability education platform.
Su stated that this year’s event collaborates with Pacific Cycles, Xpark, Pade Technology, and the Xuan-Yi Young Association, introducing concepts like ecological conservation, marine wildlife rescue, and jersey recycling to fans.
Before the game, Su Jun-Bin visited the booths hosted by participating enterprises. Specifically, the event introduced the “Jersey recycling” circular economy initiative, encouraging both players and fans to recycle old jerseys. Once collected, these jerseys will be processed through Pade Technology’s intelligent textile sorting system to channel materials into the resource loop. These materials are then repurposed into bags and totes by the Xuan-Yi Young Association, delivering dual benefits for environmental protection and social charity.
As for Xpark and Pacific Cycles, returning for their second year, they showcased further sustainable innovations. Su experienced a virtual riding simulation co-developed by Pacific Cycles and GARMIN, which visualizes the carbon-reduction metrics of low-carbon commuting. Xpark utilized sea turtle replicas to educate the public on wildlife conservation and showcased its recent cultivation efforts for the Limnophila taoyuanensis, a rare indigenous plant. Su joined visitors in making eco-bottles and cultivating precious natural resources by hand.
TYDEP added that the core feature of the “Sustainability Party” is turning sustainability into everyday life actions rather than slogans. Through energy-saving equipment, reusable cups, low-carbon transportation, and green event guidelines, the city aims to integrate environmental responsibility into baseball fan culture.
Attendees included Taoyuan City Councilors Chang Hsiao-Yun, Chen Chih-Wen, and Chou Yu-Chin; TYDEP Director-General Yen Chi-Liang; Director-General Chen Kuan-Yi of the Department of Agriculture; Director-General Hsu Yen-Hui of the Department of Sports; Kazuo Teshima, General Manager and Director of Xpark; Lin Yi-Hua, Chairperson of Pacific Cycles; Liu Yao-Ta, CEO of Pade Technology; Hsieh Yi-Chin, Secretary-General of the Xuan-Yi Young Association; and Rakuten Monkeys Team Leader Nohara Taketo.