NGC highlights Taiwan’s e-waste recycling prowess

2015/11/19

A documentary showcasing Taiwan’s world-leading e-waste recycling capabilities will debut on the National Geographic Channel Nov. 22 in Taiwan, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Jointly produced by MOFA and NGC, “Megastructures: Urban Mine” highlights the state-of-the-art facility of Super Dragon Technology Co. Ltd. in northern Taiwan’s Taoyuan City.

Built using reclaimed materials and jointly developed with Taipei City-based Miniwiz Sustainable Energy Development Co. Ltd., the facility is able to recycle 99 percent of all e-waste, extracting such precious metals as gold, platinum and silver in the process.

At a Nov. 17 conference in Taipei City, MOFA Vice Minister Vanessa Shih said the program will help audiences better understand the achievements and contributions of the ROC’s public and private sectors in combating climate change.

“While Taiwan is not a member of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the country has never been absent from the global effort to tackle this severe challenge.”

Related government measures in this regard included the promulgation in July of the Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction and Management Act, with Taiwan being one of the few countries in the world to adopt such legislation, the vice minister said.

In addition, in its Intended Nationally Determined Contribution unveiled in September, the government pledged to reduce its 2030 emissions by 50 percent from the business-as-usual scenario to 214 million tons, or 20 percent lower than the 2005 level.

“These initiatives underscore the ROC’s capability and commitment to meeting the standards set forth by the UNFCCC,” Shih said, urging the global community to support Taiwan’s meaningful participation in the U.N. body.

Echoing Shih’s remarks, Environmental Protection Administration Minister Wei Kuo-yen said as a responsible stakeholder, Taiwan will strive to make it presence known at the 21st Conference of the Parties, noting that its delegation to the UNFCCC event scheduled Nov. 30 to Dec. 11 in Paris will comprise more than 50 members from the civil and public sectors.

According to the NGC, the documentary is the latest joint production with MOFA aimed at introducing Taiwan to the world.

The film has been shown in more than 40 countries since Oct. 23. It will also be aired Dec. 9-10 in Paris as part of government efforts to promote Taiwan during the COP 21.

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=239034&ctNode=2194&mp=9)