In response to World Environment Day on June 5, the Ministry of Environment today (5th) co-hosted the “Light Up City Streets Project” award ceremony and achievement presentation with the Junior Chamber International Taiwan (JCI Taiwan), showcasing the fruitful results of their collaboration on the “No Cigarette Butts on the Ground” campaign, and expressing gratitude and recognition to the outstanding chapters that actively participated in the initiative.

At the event, Executive Deputy Minister Chih-Hsiu Shen presented certificates of appreciation to representatives serving as promotional ambassadors from various JCI Taiwan chapters, acknowledging the influence of youth and thanking JCI Taiwan chapters nationwide for their ongoing efforts to promote cigarette butt reduction and clean up city streets. To support the Ministry’s initiative and encourage participation across its local chapters, JCI Taiwan organized a special competition. At the ceremony, five winning chapters received cash prizes and trophies, and representatives were invited to share their experience in reducing cigarette litter. The goal was to amplify momentum and influence, and to plant the seed of environmental friendliness in everyone’s heart.

Deputy Minister Shen emphasized that every cigarette butt picked up is not just a cleaning task, but an act of protecting the urban environment and public health. Cigarette butts release chemical substances and microplastics, pollute both land and aquatic ecosystems, and enter the food chain, ultimately affecting human health. These seemingly small items can have far-reaching impacts and should not be ignored. The Ministry urges all smokers: “Always extinguish cigarettes properly, don’t smoke while walking, take care of your own cigarette butts, and dispose of them in designated receptacles or trash bins!”

According to the Ministry of Environment, from July 2024 through April 2025, local governments assessed high-risk areas for cigarette litter and installed cigarette butt receptacles in appropriate non-smoking-restricted locations and away from residential areas. A total of 11,269 receptacles have been installed across the country. In addition, more than 180 cigarette litter reduction events were organized by local environmental protection units, collecting over 3,200 kilograms of cigarette butts—approximately 18.88 million butts. The campaign has also been promoted through social media and media coverage, with total audience reach exceeding 8.6 million people. The Ministry hopes this will drive a cultural shift that leads to real action.

To further expand the campaign, the Ministry and JCI Taiwan signed a memorandum of cooperation titled “No Cigarette Butts on the Ground, A More Beautiful Environment” on January 12, 2025. The agreement covers public awareness and education, promotion of eco-friendly concepts, and community-based initiatives to foster environmental awareness and encourage public participation. The partnership demonstrates the social action potential of youth. JCI Taiwan mobilized all 153 of its local chapters and enthusiastically invited members of communities and schools to participate in a month-long cigarette litter reduction campaign starting from April 15, 2025. Together, they took to the streets to actively support the environmental message: “No Cigarette Butts on the Ground, A More Beautiful Environment.”

The Ministry added that, in addition to clean, butt-free streets, public restrooms are indispensable public facilities for citizens. High-quality public restrooms that are “clean, dry, and odor-free” are also indicators of national image and citizens’ quality of life. The Ministry invited every JCI Taiwan member to participate in public restroom feedback efforts by scanning restroom QR codes to submit evaluations and suggestions. This will help enhance the management and quality of public restrooms and contribute to building a cleaner and more friendly living environment together.