Plastic Bag Supply Shortage Resolved in Chiayi City

Chiayi City's Department of Construction Director Luo Zizheng stated that inspections on March 31 and April 3 revealed a shortage of certain plastic bags, including floral and heat-resistant types, due to insufficient raw materials linked to the US-Iran conflict. The Ministry of Economic Affairs has since coordinated with retailers like Xiaobei Department Store and Zhenyu Hardware to increase supply. They are also surveying demand by commercial districts and markets to facilitate direct supply from manufacturers. Liu Qingzong, chairman of the Chiayi Zhulou Street District Technology Development Association, noted that while supply was fine in February, it became limited in March and completely unavailable by mid-March. He raised this issue at a government meeting, after which suppliers informed him that stock had arrived. Liu also mentioned that the price of a 4-liang plastic bag increased from NT$20 before the Lunar New Year to NT$30, a cost he is willing to absorb. Some citizens reported being charged NT$1 for plastic bags, while others were encouraged to reuse them. The Chiayi City Government urges the public to buy only the necessary amount of plastic bags, avoid hoarding, and bring their own reusable bags. They also highlighted 29 recycling points for used environmental bags across the city.