A series of new government policies come into effect on January 1

HOTEL WASTE:
Rules banning hotels from providing guests with free single-use toiletries are expected to reduce the use of 460 million plastic containers each year.

• By Chen Chia-yi and Cheng Chi-fang / Journalists, with CNA

A series of new government policies are due to come into force on January 1 next year, from levying carbon taxes to increasing tax return allowances to banning free toiletries for single use in hotels.

From next year, the country’s 500 biggest carbon emitters will have to report this year’s emissions without paying carbon taxes, as this would be considered a trial period, the Environment Ministry said.

The ministry would start collecting carbon taxes in 2026 based on next year’s emissions.

Photo: ANC

Among the largest emitters, 141 are publicly traded or over-the-counter companies, accounting for 54 percent of the country’s total greenhouse gas emissions, the ministry said.

They are required to report their greenhouse gas emissions for the previous year every year in May.

Under the ministry’s pricing system, emitters must pay NT$300 (US$9.18) per tonne of carbon emissions.

If they voluntarily submit emission reduction plans by the end of June, they will benefit from preferential rates of NT$50 per tonne or NT$100 per tonne if they achieve defined emissions reduction targets, it said. the ministry.

Meanwhile, starting next year, taxpayers will be able to deduct up to NT$210,000 in basic living expenses. The overall tax exemption amount is expected to increase to NT$97,000, while the standard deduction amount would rise to NT$131,000.

Deductions for wage income and physical and mental disabilities must amount to NT$218,000.

Additionally, the legislature approved increasing the deduction for preschool children to NT$150,000, while that for two or more children would be NT$225,000 and the deduction for rent expenses would increase at NT$180,000.

These increases are expected to generate NT$24.3 billion in tax cuts for 6.83 million taxpayers.

Also starting January 1, the Ministry of Health and Welfare would implement strict controls on cosmetics containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, prohibiting the manufacture, importation, supply, sale, donation, public exhibition or testing of these products.

Motorcycle owners using non-original or uncertified exhaust pipes would be fined up to NT$1,800 if their registration is not changed, while a fine of up to NT$3,600 NT$ could be imposed according to the Noise Control Law (噪音管制法) if the detected noise level of a vehicle exceeds the standard.

Next year, hotels would no longer be allowed to provide free single-use toiletries to their guests.

Those who violate the regulations could face fines ranging from NT$1,200 to NT$6,000, the Environment Ministry said.

Under the regulations, accommodation providers, including hotels, guesthouses and guesthouses, cannot provide liquid toiletries and body care products – such as shampoo, conditioner, shower gel or lotion – in single-use containers with a capacity of less than 180 ml free, he says.

The regulations also include personal hygiene items such as combs, toothbrushes, toothpaste, razors, shaving cream and shower caps.

People could still ask for such products, but would have to pay for them.

Facilities such as hotel spas and swimming pools are not subject to these restrictions.

The ministry said the regulations could reduce the use of 460 million plastic containers each year, the equivalent of 2,500 tonnes of carbon emissions.

The ministry will also introduce incentives to reduce the number of disposable plastic water bottles used in hotels from January 1.

Hotels would be eligible for a NT$30,000 subsidy from their local government if they do not provide bottled water to more than 50% of their rooms. This payment is limited to five establishments per city or county.

Operators who set up a glass bottled water filling system would be eligible for grants of up to NT$5 million, with funding limited to five projects per administrative region, according to the incentive package.