Taiwan’s total packaging volume was reduced by 11,000 metric tons in 2010, Environmental Protection Administration Minister Stephen Shen said Feb. 23.
The drop, exceeding the ministry’s set target, came with the participation of five leading notebook computer producers in the country’s packaging reduction agreement, Shen said at an EPA forum promoting green packaging and showcasing products from leading firms.
Chunghwa Picture Tubes Ltd., AU Optronics Corp., Chimei Innolux Corp., BenQ Corp. and Asustek Computer Inc. reduced their packaging by 3,700 metric tons last year, Shen said, well beyond their target of 870 metric tons.
This year the scheme is expanding to include manufacturers of household goods and packaging, including 15 products from 11 companies, Shen added.
Asustek stated that it made a 40-percent reduction in the cardboard packaging of its computers, from 890 grams to 630 grams per unit. The firm also uses environmentally friendly packaging and soybean-derived printing ink.
New to the program, Cheng Loong Corp. Ltd., a producer of household consumables, said it will implement a green design using corrugated cardboard made solely from recycled paper for gift-wrapped alcoholic beverages, reducing packaging from 830 grams to 290 grams.