Tuesday, 31 December, 2002, 15:33 GMT

Taiwan is beginning a campaign against street litter on New Year's Day focusing on disposable bowls, bags and other utensils made out of plastic.

We must dump the habit of disposing of utensils after use

Hau Lung-bin, Taiwan's Environmental Protection Administration The products will be banned in supermarkets, department stores, fast-food chains, restaurants and convenience stores.

For the past month, thousands of volunteers have visited community centres and businesses, urging people to give up plastic ware that is usually thrown away after use.

The Taiwanese Government estimates that plastic utensils and bags account for 60,000 metric tons of waste every year.

Ten years ago, the government encouraged the use of disposable dishes to halt the spread of hepatitis.

However, correspondents say that while the liver disease has been held in check, discarded plastic ware has swamped the island.

National appeal

"We must dump the habit of disposing of utensils after use," Hau Lung-bin, head of the Environmental Protection Administration, said recently in a televised speech.

"This may bring a little inconvenience to your life, but it will help clean up our environment," he said.

Authorities are allowing a grace period of 45 days for the plastic ban, after which violators will be fined up to 150,000 New Taiwan dollars (US$4,310).

Officials are encouraging citizens to use their own bags at shops, or take their own dinnerware when they go out to eat.

In the central mountain resort area of Nantou, hostel owner Fu Hong-yuan told AP news agency that he has begun serving meals in bowls made out of rice husks.

-- Anonymous, January 01, 2003