Reducing Island Waste While You Travel — "Drift East!" Eco Cups Arrive on Green Island and Orchid Island: Become a Reusable Cup Advocate

The "Drift East!" eco cup initiative has made its way to Green Island and Orchid Island in Taitung! The Taitung County Environmental Protection Bureau is promoting reusable cups on both islands — as soon as visitors step off the ferry or airplane, they can borrow an eco cup for free at the pier or airport, making it incredibly convenient to carry one along during an island tour, while also helping to reduce waste on these small islands.

Travel writer Huang Xiaomo, who has long been concerned about waste issues on outlying islands, also filmed a video to help promote the campaign. She said: "Five years ago, I found out that behind the famous Green Island landmark Sleeping Beauty, there was actually a landfill site right by the sea. Later, I learned that the landfills on both Green Island and Orchid Island were already full, and that all the waste from Taiwan's outlying islands has to be shipped back to the main island for processing. So over the past few years, whenever I've given an ocean talk, I've always urged tourists to reduce the waste they generate when visiting these islands. I'm so glad that Green Island and Orchid Island finally have an eco cup borrowing program this year!"

Good2Go – The Eco Cup Self-Service System

Huang Xiaomo explained that Green Island and Orchid Island use a self-service cup-borrowing model powered by the "Good2Go" system. Simply scan a QR code and register the cup number to complete the borrowing process. Each person can borrow up to six cups, making it extremely convenient. The cups even come with a carry bag — just hang it on your scooter and you can enjoy a hassle-free island tour. She has already noticed many divers borrowing and using the cups, and many businesses are actively helping to spread the word.

The Benefits of Using an Eco Cup

She urges visitors to take just one extra minute before buying a drink or coffee to borrow an eco cup. Doing so eliminates one paper cup, one plastic seal, one straw, and one plastic carry bag — plus you get a discount for using the eco cup. It's a win-win behaviour that should be encouraged as much as possible, and it helps lighten the environmental burden on these small islands. Waste management on outlying islands is difficult and shipping costs are high, so the best approach is to reduce waste at the source!

In addition, Green Island has dozens of water refill stations. Huang Xiaomo notes that pairing an eco cup with these stations — which can be found using the "Fencha Action App" — means you can easily find water on the go. Alternatively, fill your eco cup with drinking water at your guesthouse before heading out, and you can effortlessly replace purchased bottled water without needing to take the guesthouse's bottled water at all. It saves money and is good for the environment.

The manager of the Dingo Green Island branch shared that, since her family is involved in the tourism industry, she also wants to do her part for the island's environment. When she heard about the eco cup promotion, she decided to join right away. Many divers now come in to borrow cups before heading out.

Green Island Eco Cup Borrowing & Return Stations

Currently, the "Green Island Cup" program has five borrowing-and-return stations on Green Island, including Nanliao Fishing Harbor (where ferries depart), Green Island Airport, and the Green Island Township Office. The 7-Eleven Green Island branch and the Dingo Green Island store — both frequently visited by tourists — also allow borrowing and returning, making it very convenient. There are also five drop-off-only return points, including a duty-free shop, a hot spring store, and three guesthouses such as Huoshao Island Diving B&B.

Orchid Island Eco Cup Borrowing & Return Stations

The "Orchid Island Cup" currently has four borrowing-and-return stations: Kaiyuan Fishing Harbor (where ferries depart), Orchid Island Airport, and the two 7-Eleven stores on the island — all very convenient. The Orchid Island Township Office also serves as a return-only point.

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