Studio Classroom 空中英語教室 – August 2019

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Circular economy

Traditionally, manufacturers would make

a product to be used and disposed of by

consumers. This linear model of production

offered no help in the fight against global

waste. Alternatively, a circular economy

was introduced. This is a system which aims

to minimize waste and restore used materials.

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materials are recycled and returned to

manufactures. The outcome is less waste. One

large-scale example of this is happening on the

island of Taiwan.

4-in-1 Recycling Program

In 1997, Taiwan established its signature 4-in-1

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recycling enterprises, government cleaning teams

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recycling locations. The local government

collection teams and private collectors collect

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from them to generate revenue. Importers and

manufacturers who are responsible for the

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of the program used to subsidize the recycling

disposal system, support education and research

and development as well as finance recycling

efforts in the future.

© Shutterstock.com (X2)
Circular economy in action!
One example is sportswear giant
Nike deciding to use plastic bottles
to weave together teams’ jerseys
for the 2019 Women’s World Cup.

In 2016, The Wall Street Journal

reported on the island’s recycling

success rate in an article titled

“Taiwan: The World’s Geniuses of

Garbage Disposal.” With a recycling

rate of 55 percent among those

living there, it is a world leader.

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