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Can going out on rainy days absorb more positive energy? Study: Negative ions and the aroma of first rain have many benefits

According to the BBC and the Daily Express, research has found that rain can make us happier and improve our mental health. Scientists suggest that people shouldn't immediately retreat indoors during downpours. Instead, they should head outside to soak in the rain, relax, and enjoy the weather. While many people tend to avoid going out when it rains, there's some scientific evidence suggesting we should change our perspective on rainy days. Scientists now believe that taking a walk in or after the rain can actually have significant benefits for our body, mind, and spirit. The positive mood on rainy days is all due to negative ions. Scientists attribute this to negative ions. This is because when rain falls, molecules are released into the air, some of which become negatively charged ions. When we breathe these ions in, they can effectively relieve stress and even boost our energy levels. These odorless and invisible negative ions are naturally produced by proximity to flowing water. Besides rain, they can also be found in waterfalls, ocean waves, and even morning dew and mist. Niek Buurma, a chemistry PhD student at Cardiff University in Wales, UK, said one way to create negative ions is by having water (such as raindrops) hit the ground. When water droplets hit a hard surface, they break apart, and in the process, the smaller droplets become charged. If the raindrops carry a negative charge, they generate extra electrons. These extra electrons can be absorbed by molecules in the air (such as oxygen and dioxygen).

2024-07-03

New regulations come into effect on July 1st, and the market is reducing plastics

One of the new policies that will be implemented on July 1st is the reduction of plastic bags in markets. According to the Executive Yuan, starting from July 1st, at least one market in each county and city across the country will pilot the reduction of plastic bags. The Ministry of Environment will hold a press conference on "Buy your own groceries with your own bags" at the Taipei Nanmen Market tomorrow morning (2nd) to explain the latest plan. Last year (2023), Taiwan used a total of 10 billion plastic shopping bags, half of which were used in traditional markets and night markets. In response to recent media reports that "40 night markets and markets across Taiwan will pilot the reduction of plastic bags starting in July", the Ministry of Environment initially responded that it has not promoted the payment of plastic bags, and further confirmed that night markets have not yet been included in the policy. Plastic reduction is only promoted in markets? Peng Qiming: We hope to achieve it step by step. The Ministry of Environment's goal of completely banning plastic shopping bags by 2030 is only five years away, but traditional markets and night markets, which account for the largest amount of plastic bags, have not yet been brought under control. Before taking office, Environment Minister Peng Qiming accepted an exclusive interview with the United Daily News, stating that he would push Taipei's Ningxia Night Market to become the first demonstration zone for a ban or restriction on the use of plastic bags in the second half of the year. In early June, he even told the media, "Currently, 40 markets across Taiwan have been selected to pilot plastic reduction, and Ningxia Night Market is willing to take the lead in achieving a complete elimination of plastic bags." The Ministry of Environment's interview notice on the 2nd stated that in order to promote source reduction, "it announced that the nation's markets have begun to work together to reduce plastic," and will collaborate with 22 counties and cities and 31 markets nationwide to reduce plastic. This includes asking vendors to proactively inquire about plastic bag needs, and inviting the public to respond to the three tips for reducing plastic at the market: bring your own reusable bags when buying vegetables, try to combine fruits and vegetables into one bag, and don't ask for bags at every stall to reduce the use of plastic bags. There was no mention of "night markets" there, and the Resources and Recycling Agency's Sustainable Consumer Recycling

2024-07-01

Bill Gates invests in solar startup Planted Solar, which triples robotic installation efficiency

Planted Solar, a US solar startup, replaces manual labor with machines to install densely packed solar panels, significantly reducing overall system costs by 50%. Planted Solar can also handle uneven terrain, achieving at least double the efficiency of traditional solar panels. The company has garnered significant industry attention and has even received investment from Microsoft founder Bill Gates' Climate Foundation, aiming to accelerate its expansion into the solar photovoltaic market. Robotic installation triples efficiency while also saving space and materials. Unlike conventional solar panels, which require spacing to facilitate installation and maintenance, Planted Solar's photovoltaic arrays are tightly packed, allowing them to adjust their mountings to adapt to the terrain even on uneven land. According to their website, the company's solar modules can withstand slopes of up to 27%, helping to reduce land development costs and environmental impact. Planted Solar CEO Eric Brown told Bloomberg that while traditional solar power plants require five acres of land to produce one megawatt, their company only needs two. Combined with the savings in construction materials, time, and land, the total system cost is nearly halved. The automated robotic assembly process also increases efficiency by three times. Planted Solar, founded in 2020, has received a lot of recognition. Last year (2023), it received US$1.6 million (approximately NT$51.75 million) from the Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) of the U.S. Department of Energy.

2024-06-26

Ingenious ingenuity! Scientists create sustainable chocolate using the secret of sweetness from the cocoa pod.

Rich in flavor and smooth in texture, this enchanting chocolate will make you want to indulge yourself. If chocolate advertisements could include the words "healthy" and "sustainable," the reason to eat chocolate would be even more perfect. Now, Swiss scientists have successfully used cocoa pulp and endocarp to create a new type of chocolate that is both high in fiber and environmentally friendly.

2024-06-25

Jensen Huang announces a new era of AI: "The most powerful AI chip on earth" with faster computing and lower power consumption

NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang, known as the "Godfather of AI," delivered a keynote address at 7:00 PM on June 2nd at the National Taiwan University Gymnasium, warming up for the 2024 Taipei International Computer Show (COMPUTEX). He declared, "A new era of computing is beginning," and showcased various AI applications, including Nvidia Earth-2, Digital Human, and the Robotic Factory. In his approximately two-hour speech, Huang highlighted the trends in accelerated computing and how it can address the issue of AI-driven power consumption. Trend 1: Accelerated computing can address "computing inflation." Huang opened his address by noting that the computer industry has a 60-year history, dating back to the introduction of IBM's 360 central processing unit (CPU) in 1964. However, as computing demand has grown exponentially, the speed at which CPUs can be expanded has slowed significantly, leading to "computing inflation." This means that data center power usage has increased, and computing costs have risen accordingly. To solve the problem of computing power inflation, NVIDIA has developed graphics processing units (GPUs) and provided CUDA programming tools, allowing developers to use GPUs to accelerate various computing tasks, including data processing, deep learning and other applications. Huang Renxun emphasized that GPU accelerated computing can save more costs, saving a lot of costs and energy for data centers, achieving the effect of "the more you buy, the more you save." Huang Renxun mentioned that "accelerated computing is sustainable.

2024-06-17

Taiwan Carbon Credit Market Trend Report

Faced with the challenges of global climate change, carbon pricing has become a key mechanism within the global climate governance framework to drive national and regional greenhouse gas emissions reductions. Taiwan, in addition to fulfilling its environmental responsibilities as a global citizen, faces significant pressure from its high dependence on foreign trade to green its supply chains. Therefore, establishing and improving its own carbon market is both urgent and crucial for Taiwan. This report analyzes the current status, challenges, and future trends of Taiwan's carbon credit market from multiple perspectives, aiming to provide a comprehensive perspective for policymakers, business decision-makers, and stakeholders. 1. Current Status and Development Overview: Taiwan's carbon market initially relied primarily on voluntary emission reductions. The government established a greenhouse gas monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) system through legislation. Furthermore, through the 2021 revision of the Climate Change Response Act, relevant sub-laws were introduced, including voluntary emission reduction programs, the imposition of carbon fees, and the establishment of a carbon exchange. These measures aim to build a robust carbon market in Taiwan that businesses can follow and use as a carbon management tool. After the amendment, the goal of establishing a carbon emissions trading mechanism (ETS) remains in the regulations. Therefore, it is not ruled out that Taiwan will introduce a national ETS in the future, as well as set an emission quota cap. Such development requires cross-departmental cooperation and long-term policy guidance and support. 2. Government Policies and Promotion As the legislation and policy planning of the Chinese government on climate change and carbon reduction gradually improves. The government has proposed medium- and long-term carbon reduction targets and has formulated a series of policies for major emission industries such as energy, industry, and transportation.

2024-06-17

Taiwan is experiencing a surge in AI adoption. The Minister of Economic Affairs predicts a 3% annual increase in electricity consumption and adjustments to energy allocations.

Recently, the Taipei International Computer Show (Computex) has attracted a large number of industry leaders, and an AI whirlwind has swept Taiwan. The "AI Godfather" Nvidia CEO Huang Renxun, AMD CEO Su Zifeng and others have personally visited Taiwan and have also proposed to set up factories and invest in Taiwan. Minister of Economic Affairs Kuo Chih-hui said yesterday (5th) when he went to the Legislative Yuan for questioning that the period from 2025 to 2028 is expected to be a period of explosive growth in AI, and the original 2025 energy ratio target of "532" may need to be adjusted. Kuo Chih-hui said that the Ministry of Economic Affairs is currently calculating the growth of new electricity consumption, and it is estimated that it will increase by at least 3% each year; in the face of the explosive growth of AI, new power supply will give priority to solar photovoltaics. It takes at least 6 years to build a new power plant, and the government will not add any more coal-fired power plants. The demand for electricity for AI factories is increasing. The Minister of Economic Affairs: The energy ratio target "532" will be adjusted. Guo Zhihui went to the Economic Committee of the Legislative Yuan for the first time on the 5th to report and prepare for questioning. Regarding the issues of AI development and electricity consumption that are of concern to the society, Guo Zhihui explained that the first priority of the Ministry of Economic Affairs is to stabilize the power supply. The current inventory of the power supply for new factories is sufficient. Guo Zhihui said that it takes at least 6 years to build a new power plant, and the government will not increase the number of coal-fired power plants; the AI industry needs green electricity and a large amount of wind and solar power generation. As for the "Nuclear Power Plant No. 3 backup theory" proposed by Guo Zhihui last week, he said that after the shutdown of the Nuclear Power Plant No. 3 and safety inspection, it can be used as a backup plan for the rapid growth of AI electricity consumption. Legislator Zhang Qikai questioned yesterday that this is like digging a well when thirsty. Once the nuclear power unit is decommissioned, it will be difficult to restart in a short time. Guo Zhihui responded that the current legal regulations require the unit to be shut down first, and it must act in accordance with the law. And

2024-06-06

A pure electric truck is being brought to Taiwan for the first time. What does Scania Taiwan General Manager Bo Mingxi think about the future of green transportation?

At the end of 2022, the first all-electric truck was officially registered in Taiwan. Compared to traditional trucks, this 26-ton all-electric truck reduces carbon emissions by 52 tons annually, opening a new chapter in the future of green transportation. The first two trucks were delivered by Swedish heavy-duty vehicle manufacturer Scania. Taiwan was the first stop in the Asia-Pacific region for the new trucks. Scania Taiwan General Manager Michaela Boye expressed confidence that Scania's products and services would contribute to Taiwan's green transformation.

2024-06-05

How Taiwan's green power deficit threatens the tech industry's net-zero goals

Taiwan produces 60% of the world's chips, but the manufacturing process consumes significant energy. TSMC consumed 6.4% of Taipower's electricity in 2021. The digital economy's energy demand continues to rise, with the IEA predicting that data centers will consume 4% of global electricity by 2026. With rising supply chain emissions, companies like Microsoft are pushing for low-carbon chip production. However, semiconductor companies' net-zero goals are plagued by geographical constraints and regulatory challenges. Nuclear power is an option being promoted by Taiwan, as well as companies like Microsoft and Amazon.

2024-06-05

Austria encourages "repair whenever possible," issuing 560,000 repair vouchers in a year, drawing enthusiastic response.

It's a shame when electronic products break, but the cost of repairs can be nearly the same as buying new ones. As a result, many products are discarded without repair, creating electronic waste and depleting the planet's resources. The Austrian government began issuing electronics repair vouchers in April 2022, covering half the cost of repairs for appliances like laptops, cell phones, and coffee makers. Over the course of the year, over 560,000 vouchers were issued, and the number of locations accepting the vouchers increased to 3,500, making repairs more attractive. Austria's incentive program, which has been running for a year, has been in operation since April of last year. Citizens can download the vouchers on the official website. Each voucher covers 50% of the cost of a repair, up to a maximum of 200 euros (approximately NT$6,640). Once redeemed, they can apply for another voucher to repair another electronic device. The Associated Press reported that the Austrian Environment Ministry, based on annual statistics, found that over 560,000 vouchers had been used, far exceeding the target of 400,000 by 2026. The number of repair locations has also increased to 3,500. The European "Right to Repair" organization explained that the core of the right to repair is to make repairs easier. At the beginning of the event, 1,200 companies accepted repair vouchers. The fact that people can find repair stations nearby is an important factor in the success of the plan. 130 million euros of this repair subsidy comes from the "Next Generation EU Recovery Fund". Overturning the "repair is not as good as buying new" mentality This is not the first time that Austria has proposed a repair plan. As early as 2020

2024-05-26

Begin with the end in mind and master the key to green recycling design

Design thinking under the circular economy changes the "green design" talked about in the early days, which usually focuses on the selection and management of materials, reducing packaging and transportation methods, and even the issue of not causing environmental pollution when discarded. It is basically architecture. Based on the "4R concept of environmental protection in the green life cycle (Reduce source, Reuse, Recycle, Replace)", we can reduce pollution and improve the impact of global environmental ecology. However, with the industrial transformation and green transformation under the international trend of sustainable development, design thinking has also changed. In the process of traditional product design and development in the past, product designers mainly started from the user's needs and feelings, emphasizing the product aspect, such as the aesthetics of appearance, the durability and feel of materials, and the ease of use of the product. Detailed design considerations such as operational fluency are the main considerations. However, today's product design not only emphasizes cool appearance, nor does it only use green materials, but also needs to be able to live in peace with the environment and achieve the goal of recycling and sustainability. Even if the product life cycle ends, it will not become an environmental hazard. burden. Therefore, we need to advance from green design to circular design. The common point between "circular design" and past product design is the "user-centered" customer-oriented thinking, but the difference is that "circular design" advocates dematerialization and the use of sustainable products with circular economic value. Materials and recycling systems are given priority, and commercial value is considered comprehensively. Examine product cycle benefits from tangible to intangible and seek innovations for various issues

2024-04-15

ISO 14068-1: The structure and spirit of carbon neutrality by 2023

With the advent of a carbon price era, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) released the "ISO 14068-1 Climate Change Management - Net Zero Transition - Part 1: Carbon Neutrality" standard in November 2023, guiding countries, businesses, and related organizations towards a new era of carbon neutrality and net-zero emissions. Standard Framework: This document provides a standardized approach to achieving and demonstrating carbon neutrality, applicable to organizations and products (e.g., goods and services, including events and buildings). Table 1. Carbon Neutrality Standard Framework Figure 1. Carbon Neutrality Implementation Framework The biggest differences from the PAS 2060 standard are: 1. Carbon footprint reduction must be achieved through greenhouse gas emission reductions (e.g., energy conservation measures) or greenhouse gas removal increases (e.g., forest carbon sinks, carbon capture, storage, and reuse (CCUS)), and then carbon neutrality can be achieved through offsets. 2. Carbon credits used for offsets must meet certain criteria and can only be used in accordance with the carbon neutrality management plan after greenhouse gas emissions reductions and greenhouse gas removal increases. 3. As mentioned above, the end year of an entity's use of carbon credits cannot be earlier than five years before the start of the carbon neutrality declaration. Note 1: Net Zero refers to "efforts to minimize greenhouse gas emissions caused by human activities and then offset them with carbon-negative technologies, forest carbon sinks, etc. to achieve net zero emissions." Note 2: Carbon neutrality refers to the

2024-03-22

[Compulsory Course for Businesses] Carbon Reduction Communication: One Key Point and Two Media Resources for Leveraging Digital Media for Sustainable Influence

The 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28), which just concluded on December 12, 2023, included numerous significant announcements and resolutions, including a call for a global transition away from fossil fuels and a target of a 43% reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2030, a 60% reduction by 2035, and net zero by 2050 to limit global warming to 1.5°C. These announcements were disseminated virtually simultaneously outside the conference hall through various media and formats, ensuring global access. This is the power of the digital media age: immediacy and effectiveness. Open up the Ren and Du meridians of enterprises: keep up with climate change strategies and communicate well about carbon reduction. In response to the major goal of global net-zero emissions in 2050, which is related to the coexistence and prosperity of the global ecosystem, enterprises must ride the wind and waves of this wave of net-zero trends and information, and rise with the trend. "Following climate change strategies" and "communicating well about carbon reduction" are the keys for enterprises to open up the Ren and Du meridians. ►In the countdown to net-zero carbon emissions in 2050, all countries are calling on enterprises to keep up with climate change policies and protect the only earth. Under the climate change policy, "energy conservation, transformation, and carbon reduction" are issues that enterprises must face head-on, and they are also the life-saving talismans for enterprises to enter the circular economy chain. When a company is willing to invest a lot of resources in innovation and innovation at all levels such as operating models, production processes, service processes, and product design, it is not only to comply with international standards, but the greater motivation behind it is...

2024-03-07

French lawmaker unboxes Shein and proposes a "fast fashion killing bill"

It's not uncommon for influencers to unbox their newly purchased clothes, shoes, and bags, but French Republican MP Antoine Vermorel-Marques's Shein unboxing video made international news. "So beautiful, so stylish!" It was his first time online shopping for clothes, shoes, and scarves from the Chinese fast-fashion brand Shein. He unpacked the packaging and admired the items with a serious expression. Then, he shifted the conversation, complaining that the shoes might contain phthalates, chemicals that can disrupt the endocrine system and even cause infertility; then he accused his baby's clothes of being treated with formaldehyde, posing a cancer risk. Finally, he pulled out his plane tickets, revealing that these products had been shipped overseas, leaving a staggering carbon footprint. He has proposed a €5 (approximately NT$170) surcharge on every fast-fashion purchase. "Killing" fast fashion and punishing the poor? According to France 24, Vermorel-Marques's bill is being called a "kill bill" for fast fashion, aimed at supporting France's domestic textile industry. Vermorel-Marques explained that it's not an additional "tax" because it includes both penalties and incentives. Buying fast fashion brands costs an extra €5, while buying eco-friendly, domestically produced clothing earns a €5 bonus. The basic concept is that polluters pay, which is a win-win for both the planet and consumers. According to Business Insider, Zara launches 20,000 new styles every year, while Shein even more so, with 6,000 new styles hitting shelves every day. As fast fashion becomes more popular, the speed at which clothes are bought and discarded has also increased.

2024-03-04

Corporate Sustainability Coaching Tools

The EU's implementation of the CBAM carbon tariff may impact the export competitiveness of Taiwan's small and medium-sized enterprises. Foreign brands are increasingly demanding energy conservation and carbon reduction in the supply chain. Linking upstream and downstream to achieve net-zero transformation is an imminent international trend. To help Taiwan's small and medium-sized enterprise owners, senior managers, and second-generation successors smoothly align with international net-zero emissions targets, the Small, Medium, and Startup Administration of the Ministry of Economic Affairs has created comprehensive counseling and diagnostic resources, providing practical courses and related training activities to accumulate corporate transformation capacity to enhance competitive advantage and formulate relevant carbon reduction measures based on corporate needs: Phase 1: Cultivate carbon awareness and reduction awareness through workshops, including practical courses such as carbon inventory, carbon neutrality, and visits to benchmark companies. Phase 2: Professional consultants will provide on-site guidance to conduct current situation analysis and hot spot diagnosis, and provide carbon reduction recommendations and benefit evaluation projects for the entire factory. Phase 3: Provide diagnostic counseling plans to guide small and medium-sized enterprises to introduce low-carbon and intelligent solutions, and assist in planning digital and sustainable dual transformation paths. To encourage businesses to move towards net zero and confidently invest in carbon reduction efforts, the Ministry of Economic Affairs has established subsidy measures for various types of businesses, including upgrading and transformation, innovative R&D, and financing (interest subsidies and loans), as shown in the figure below. In the area of upgrading and transformation, the Small, Medium and Startup Enterprises Administration's "Low-Carbon and Smart Upgrading and Transformation Subsidy for Small and Medium-sized Manufacturing Industries (Regularly Employing 9 or Less Employees)" and the Industrial Development Agency's "Low-Carbon and Smart Upgrading and Transformation Case Subsidy for Small and Medium-sized Manufacturing Industries (Regularly Employing 10 or More Employees)" provide subsidies to individual manufacturing industries with fewer than 9 employees and more than 10 employees, respectively.

2024-02-26

Cultured meat could save endangered fish; artificial eel rice expected to hit the market in 2025

If artificial eel meat could mitigate overfishing of young eels while retaining their delicious flavor and texture, would you buy it? As eels become a delicacy, pressure on their survival has increased, prompting startups to invest in artificial eel meat research and development. As wild young eels dwindle, eel prices continue to soar, yet foodies still cling to their love of eel rice and unagi sushi. Israeli food startup Forsea Foods is developing artificial eel meat, using organoid culture technology to create it. "We can produce a product that is identical in taste, texture, appearance, and nutritional value to eel," said Roee Nir, co-founder and CEO of Forsea Foods. This culture technology is ideal for seafood because the texture is uniform, unlike the fatty texture of beef. Forsea Foods, founded in 2021, is targeting artificial eel meat as its first product. Nir explained in an interview with Spoon that this is due to the high supply and price of eels, as well as the fact that eels are endangered. He pointed out that according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, more than 700 edible species in marine ecosystems are facing extinction, and the number of eels has decreased by 90% to 95% in the past decade. The reproduction process of eels is quite complex. They grow in rivers and migrate to the ocean to spawn when they mature, and they only lay eggs once in their lifetime. For many years, eel farming has relied almost entirely on wild-caught eel fry, resulting in over-consumption of natural resources and the decline of wild eels.

2024-02-05

Taiwan's first stewed rice, "Hualien No. 26," has been launched, promising a 98% reduction in food miles traveled.

Rice is the essence of risotto. Traditional Taiwanese white rice is soft and fluffy, a significant difference in taste compared to risotto rice, which retains its shape even after long cooking and retains its firm core even after absorbing soup. The Hualien Agricultural Research and Development Center announced on the 23rd that it has developed "Hualien No. 26," Taiwan's first rice variety suitable for risotto. This rice, which imports over 100 tons of risotto rice from Italy annually, is expected to significantly reduce food miles by 98%. Three manufacturers have been authorized to mass-produce this rice through contract farming. "Hualien No. 26," Taiwan's first rice variety suitable for risotto, boasts a white and plump core. The Hualien Agricultural Research and Development Center spent seven years breeding and developing "Hualien No. 26," Taiwan's first rice variety suitable for risotto. Risotto is characterized by its rich, chewy texture, the key to a rich, chewy texture. The key lies in ensuring that the rice grains absorb the broth without becoming overcooked. Authentic risotto rice is typically imported from Italy. "When you go to a competition, the rice with white heart will usually be discarded." Yang Daji, director of the Hualien District Agricultural Improvement Station of the Ministry of Agriculture, said that Hualien No. 26 broke the farmers' accustomed thinking, because a high proportion of "heart white" (chalk plasmid) is exactly what is needed for risotto. Huang Jiaxing, an associate researcher at the Hualien Agricultural Improvement Station, explained that the higher the heart white, the more pores there are to absorb the soup. Hualien No. 26 not only has a high proportion of heart white, but is also large and fat, and has medium-chain starch. Therefore, it is very resistant to cooking and not easy to become mushy. It can meet the requirements of risotto for rice grains to be complete, chewy, and absorbent. Since 2016, the Hualien Agricultural Improvement Station has used the Italian risotto rice variety "Vialone nano" as the female parent and hybridized it with the Taiwanese "Taitung No. 30" which is resistant to rice blast and has stable yield. It took seven years.

2024-01-24

ITRI releases its first organizational sustainability report, marking its path toward sustainable development.

On the 24th, the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) released its "2035 Technology Strategy and Blueprint" and its first "Sustainability Report." President Liu Wenxiong stated that going forward, the ITRI will complete its sustainability report in the second quarter of each year to review progress toward its sustainability goals. In terms of R&D achievements, ITRI showcased its development of proprietary technologies to enhance industry competitiveness, including achieving industrial independence in key silicon carbide semiconductor materials and developing the first artificial ligament in Taiwan. To further enhance organizational sustainability, ITRI also released its "Sustainability Strategy Blueprint," showcasing its achievements in six key sustainability areas: technology R&D, industry promotion, social welfare, talent development, a friendly workplace, and a net-zero sustainable environment. The blueprint also showcases ITRI's commitment to promoting industrial sustainability by connecting with public institutions and international partners across industry, government, academia, and research to actively promote domestic and international industry exchange and technological development. Over the past 50 years, ITRI has been a key driver of Taiwan's economic growth. Now a large organization with over 6,000 employees, ITRI not only has a clear R&D direction but also discusses how to move forward toward organizational sustainability. In 2022, the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) established a Sustainable Development Committee and an Organizational Sustainable Development Office. With reference to the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals, the report was compiled based on six key areas: technology research and development, industry promotion, social welfare, talent cultivation, a friendly workplace, and a net-zero sustainable environment. The first sustainability report has been completed. Liu Wenxiong said that the 2023 sustainability report will be completed in the second quarter of this year, and the previous year's sustainability report will be completed in the second quarter of each year to review the sustainability goals.

2024-01-24

Eco-friendly straws: bamboo, paper, glass, stainless steel - which material is more environmentally friendly?

To reduce the environmental burden of disposable products, more and more "reusable straws" are appearing on the market. But do these new manufacturing methods truly solve the problem? Due to varying comparison benchmarks, a definitive conclusion remains elusive. This time, we're letting the data speak for itself, comparing disposable and reusable straws, from manufacturing to disposal. Which are more environmentally friendly? Which reusable straws are more durable? A comparison of common reusable straw materials. First, we compared the number of uses of different reusable and disposable straws under normal usage. Steel straws, due to their sturdiness, can reasonably be used up to 500 times. Glass straws, while also made of a hard material, are more susceptible to breakage, so they can be used 100 times. Bamboo straws, being more natural, are more susceptible to moisture damage and are therefore calculated at 50 times. Glass and bamboo straws have the highest carbon emissions! Reusable straws actually emit more carbon than disposable straws! Whether purchasing reusable or disposable straws, consider not only the straw itself but also the packaging and accessories. This is because we calculated the environmental impact of various eco-friendly straws and disposable straws, and the packaging accessories that come with them, from manufacturing to disposal. It is also worth mentioning that glass straws and bamboo straws, which are called "environmentally friendly straws", are the two with the highest carbon emissions! Because each cleaning will cause 63% of the carbon emissions of steel straws, and 41% of the carbon emissions of glass straws and bamboo straws respectively. And the nylon cleaning brush head that comes with the straw is consumed by the upstream production chain due to the electricity and diesel consumed, as well as the storage bag production.

2024-01-24

Challenging the biggest pain point of capsule coffee: How can shell-less "coffee pods" achieve speed, flavor, and zero waste?

Have you had coffee today? Just place a small capsule into your coffee machine, press a button, and enjoy a steaming cup of delicious coffee. Convenient, fast, and skill-free, the capsule coffee market is growing rapidly, but capsule disposal remains a challenge. Recognizing consumers' environmental concerns, Swiss retail giant Migros will launch the world's first "capsule-free" coffee pod in 2022. Combining flavor, convenience, and zero waste, it's billed as the "greatest innovation ever" that will "revolutionize the coffee industry." Three wishes fulfilled at once: CoffeeB is more like a pod than a capsule. Its outer shell features Delica's patented natural protective film, which blocks oxygen and preserves the coffee's flavor. After use, the coffee pod doesn't need to be recycled or composted professionally; it can be left in your garden or flowerpot, where it will naturally decompose in a few weeks, forming a fertile compost. Migros explained that the outer shell is primarily made of seaweed, is thin, and odorless. It can be discarded with the coffee grounds after use. Like regular coffee pods, CoffeeB requires a dedicated coffee machine. Migros said that this system took five years to develop and most of the coffee machines are made of recycled materials. The highlight is the modular design, which means that replacing parts will be very convenient. The ingredients of the coffee beans are naturally not sloppy. Depending on the taste, they come from rainforest certified coffee, fair trade, or BIO organic coffee. Will consumers buy it? A year after CoffeeB was launched, Spoon reported that CoffeeB has entered the Swedish market.

2024-01-15