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“[A pack] has gone from [US$1] to [US$2]. And you can’t even get them now.”

The war in the Middle East has led to a plastic shortage in Taiwan, with local media calling the situation “plastic chaos.” Many are beginning to feel the effects, especially food vendors, with rising prices and the rationing of plastic bags.

Taiwan uses around 9 billion plastic bags annually, according to 2023 government figures, and they are seen as an essential part of everyday life.

The government is working to secure oil supplies and ramp up domestic plastic production to support consumers and businesses. But according to food vendors in Taipei, many customers are helping to shoulder the burden by bringing their own bags.

For more on this story, follow TaiwanPlus News on YouTube.

#TaiwanPlusNews #Taiwan #PlasticBags #Shortage

Reporter: Irene Lin
Videographer and Editor: Alison Nguyen
Social Reporter: Chloe Wang

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Transcript
00:00Getting fruit is probably given to you in a plastic bag.
00:03Want a snack? It also comes in a plastic bag.
00:06These are used everywhere in Taiwanese daily lives, from food stores to produce market.
00:11But the war in the Middle East has choked the global oil supply, which is a key raw material for
00:16plastic.
00:18And now, despite a two-week ceasefire, Taiwanese food vendors who are giving out plastic bags for free are feeling
00:23the squeeze.
00:51In Taiwan, there are fears of a plastic bag shortage, which local media here have labeled plastic bag chaos.
00:59Signs like this are becoming more common here, citing shortages of raw materials for plastic bags and rising prices.
01:06As a result, plastic bags are being rationed.
01:09But the government has rolled out a series of measures to stabilize plastic bag supplies.
01:14This includes adjustments to distribution channels, as well as efforts to boost domestic supply and manufacturing.
01:28The plastic bags are getting expensive and hard to find.
01:32Many shop owners feel that their customers are doing what they can to ease their burden.
01:58But 2023 government statistics show that Taiwan uses 9 billion plastic bags every year.
02:04And environmental groups say now is the time to cut down, and this potential plastic shortage could be a chance
02:11for people to rethink their habits.
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