Overview

Packaging from online shopping and leftover food are examples of waste generated in our daily lives. When properly sorted and recycled for reuse, we are not only reducing waste and the use of natural resources, but also creating new business models that benefit both the environment and the economy.

PackAge+ and Yuland Biological Agriculture Co., Ltd. are two startups in Taiwan that are embracing the spirit of circular economy. Winners in the 2022 UMC Eco Echo Award’s Green Innovation category, the two start-ups impressed judges with their initiatives, which tackles e-commerce packaging and food waste, respectively.

https://www.umc.com/zh-TW/Download/csr_videos

To reduce the problem of packaging waste, PackAge+ developed sustainable packaging that can be reused more than 50 times. Made from recycled PET plastic bottles and glass, and is waterproof, stain-resistant, and offers strong protection. Each package can be reused more than 50 times, reducing carbon emissions by about 1.2 kilograms per use while also saving the 300 grams of disposable material per package that would otherwise be consumed. Starting this year, UMC is working with PackAge+ to introduce reusable packaging for shipping cleanroom gloves, helping to reduce disposable waste generated in our supply chain.

PackAge+ also strives to give back to the society but working with cleaning and disinfecting facilities that hire disadvantaged workers. Their business model fills a gap for sustainable packaging as e-commerce continues to boom, while also creating employment opportunities to those in our community most in need.

(Source: udn.com)

With its smart breeding facilities of black soldier flies, Yuland Biological Agriculture converts organic food waste into products with economic value, such as animal feed and fertilizer. This effectively addresses the growing problems of environmental pollution and rising disposal costs caused by substantial food waste. As a high-quality protein source, black soldier flies are a sustainable alternative for replacing fish meal and soybeans in regular animal feed. Additionally, frass, the waste product of black soldier fly larvae, works well as organic fertilizer.

With support from the UMC Eco Echo Award, as of June 2023, Yuland has collaborated with 14 aquafarms and 16 cultivating farmers. By repurposing waste into valuable resources, Yuland and their partners are working towards building circular systems for agriculture and livestock management.

(Source: udn.com)

The annual UMC Eco Echo Award is now in its eighth year, continuing our long-standing commitment to safeguarding Taiwan’s ecology. Over the years, UMC has supported grassroot groups striving to protect our ecological systems through the awards, and has also invited our supply chain partners to take part. The scope of the Eco Echo Award has been expanded to also encompass initiatives that address climate change and circular economy. To read more about the UMC Eco Echo Award, visit: https://www.umc.com/en/Html/eco_echo_award