Proposed straw ban in Taiwan sparks ‘tapioca controversy’

Taipei - confusion about the plan to protect the ocean and how the traditional drinking of popular beverages has reached the government's highest level

"Cassava conflict" occurred after the Taiwanese government prohibited the prohibition of disposing of plastic disposable straws to fast food restaurants, shopping malls and department stores in June. Thereafter, the policy to prohibit taking orders from plastic straws to customers is extended.

The government says that it is participating in efforts to prevent large quantities of plastic waste from suffocating the ocean. The west also adopted a similar ban on plastic straw.

However, many Taiwanese people are asking specific questions about the ban. How to drink cassava milk tea without straw?

Milk tea drink is a specialty in Taiwan, with big tapioca ball on the bottom. They are sucked into a thick straw

The local media said, "The ban on straw will be the abolition of cassava milk tea."

"You should eat cassava ball with a spoon," officials of the Environmental Protection Agency provided solutions.

According to the report, Tsai Ing-wen, president of Taiwan, said at a meeting: "This will not be accepted by society, I want to know how to drink cassava milk tea (stupidity)" .

Taiwanese beverage makers are planning substitutes for plastic straws, such as paper and straws made of washable stainless steel

41-year-old Zhu Xuejie sold environmental protection, sold metal straws and glass straws for 5 years at a store in New Taipei City. Last month, he sold 10,000 mobile straws. This is twice as normal.

In May 2018, the European Commission prohibited disposable plastic products like swabs and straws and proposed to take responsibility for tidying up to reduce marine waste. To the manufacturer. In Vancouver, Scotland and other cities of the United States, plastic straw bans are banned and legislation prohibited is enacted. The RefillNotLandfill campaign in Cambodia is aimed at reducing the water of millions of plastic bottles thrown away by tourists and locals. An alternative is a reusable aluminum bottle that can be refilled at a designated location nationwide. The campaign expanded to Myanmar and Laos. This movement can reduce the amount of PET bottles used.

"Cassava conflict" occurred after the Taiwanese government prohibited the prohibition of disposing of plastic disposable straws to fast food restaurants, shopping malls and department stores in June. Thereafter, the policy to prohibit taking orders from plastic straws to customers is extended.

The latest proposal to ban straw is appearing in Europe and North America. In some cases, the ban is actually on the straw. Other bans are directed to a wider range of disposable plastics, including plastic dishes and stirrers. However, most of the banning-related press and promotional materials are for straw. For example, last week the European Union proposed to ban straw and other plastics. The city of Vancouver is discussing the problem of banned plastic straw. This year, the UK proposed prohibition of plastic straw as well as Toronto, New York City, California.

Vancouver bans straws, Scotland plans to eliminate plastic straw by 2019, Taiwan prohibits the use of disposable plastic products such as straws, cups and shopping bags in the UK. Queen Elizabeth II banned plastic straws and bottles from all Royal farms, cafés and gift shops Prime Minister Theresa Mae announced the prohibition on sale of plastic straws, mixers and plastic swabs in the UK . British companies such as Waitrose, London City Airport, McDonald's and Costa Coffee are banned from straw and Ryanair is planning to achieve "no plastic" by 2023, Marriott smokes in all 60 hotels in the UK It is prohibited.