Quick Answer
Under the Ministry of Environment’s rules on single-use drink cups, chain drink shops, chain convenience stores, chain fast-food restaurants and chain supermarkets may not provide single-use plastic drink cups. Cities and counties phased it in, and since September 2024 it applies nationwide. Businesses must also give at least NT$5 off for customers’ own cups and post the discount. Violations can be fined NT$1,200–6,000. Taiwanese shops mostly switched to paper cups or reusable cups, while PP and PET plastic cups remain mainstream in many export markets; check local rules before shipping.
Key points of the rule
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Legal basis | Waste Disposal Act; Ministry of Environment rules on single-use drink cups |
| Covered | Chain drink shops, chain convenience stores, chain fast-food restaurants, chain supermarkets |
| Restriction | No single-use plastic drink cups |
| Own-cup discount | At least NT$5 price difference, posted in store |
| Timeline | Effective July 2022, phased in by locality, nationwide from September 2024 |
| Penalty | NT$1,200–6,000 under the Waste Disposal Act |
Earlier reports noted that breakfast shops, restaurants serving drinks with meals and night market stalls were outside the scope at the time; always check the latest notices from the Ministry and local environmental bureaus.
What cups do Taiwanese shops use now?
- Hot and cold paper cups: most chains switched to paper cups with matching lids or sealing film.
- Reusable cups: the Ministry has service guidelines for reusable (loan) cups, used by some districts and brands.
- Lids and sealing film: under the separate disposable tableware notice, lids, cup holders, paper cup sealing film and bowl lids are not restricted.
Choosing cups for overseas shops and export
Plastic rules differ by country; some markets still use mostly PP and PET cups, while others require paper or compostable materials. Check the destination’s rules before choosing cup materials; see PP vs PET cups and cup size chart.
How Tang Sugar can help
Tang Sugar supplies PP, PET and PLA cups and hot and cold paper cups, lids and sealing film, recommends cup materials for your export market, and ships them with your bubble tea ingredients.
Products in this article
All 3 Cup Lids →
FAQ
Can Taiwanese drink shops still use plastic cups?
Covered businesses such as chain drink shops may not provide single-use plastic cups, nationwide since September 2024; others should follow local notices.
Is the own-cup discount mandatory?
Covered businesses must offer at least NT$5 off for customers’ own cups and post it in store.
Are lids and sealing film banned too?
Under the disposable tableware notice, lids, cup holders, paper cup sealing film and bowl lids are not restricted.
Do PLA cups count as plastic?
Taiwan’s environmental authority has said bio-based plastics are included in plastic restrictions; check the latest notices.
Related Reading
PP vs PET Cups: Bubble Tea Cup Materials, Resin Codes and How to Choose
PLA Straws vs Paper Straws vs Plastic Straws: Taiwan’s Plastic Straw Restrictions and How Bubble Tea Shops Should Choose
Bubble Tea Cup Sizes: How Many ml Is 16oz or 22oz? Conversion Chart and 500ml vs 700ml CupsAlso see: Drink cups (products)
