Taiwan urges tourists to bring own toiletries to cut plastic waste

As the summer travel season approaches, Taiwan's Environmental Protection Bureau (EPB) is calling on tourists to reduce single-use plastics by bringing their own personal toiletries. This initiative aims to promote source reduction and create a greener, low-carbon, and sustainable travel environment.

Effective January 1, 2025, hotels, including tourist hotels, inns, and B&Bs, are no longer permitted to provide liquid toiletries in containers smaller than 180ml, such as shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and lotion. Additionally, they cannot display personal hygiene items like combs, toothbrushes, toothpaste, razors, shaving foam, and shower caps for guests to take freely. However, these restrictions do not apply to attached facilities like spas, saunas, gyms, or swimming pools.

The EPB advises that if travelers forget to bring their own items, they can inquire at the hotel counter for free distribution or purchase options. The bureau encourages the public to adopt eco-friendly habits such as "bringing your own, reusing, and using less" to minimize waste and contribute to a low-carbon, sustainable lifestyle. For those traveling during the summer, the EPB also reminds them to pack sun protection and stay hydrated, while urging them to carry reusable cups, cutlery, and shopping bags to further reduce disposable waste.

Hotels found to be in violation of these regulations will be subject to fines ranging from NT$1,200 to NT$6,000, according to the Waste Disposal Act. Further information on the "Restrictions on the Use of Single-Use Toiletries" can be found on the Ministry of Environment's Resource Recycling Division website.