Yilan County Government × GreenWood × Circular Economy: Transforming 7 Tons of Marine Waste into Recycled Resources, Smart Transformation to Build 2 Net-Zero Public Restrooms (By SSBTi.org March 2025)
Introduction: The Rebirth of Marine Waste
Along the shores of Daxi Fishing Port in Yilan County, tons of marine waste wash ashore each year. These wastes, including PET bottles (PP), bottle caps (PE), and polystyrene foam (PS), if left untreated, become invisible killers of marine ecosystems. However, through the ingenuity of the GreenWood team, these seemingly useless wastes are given a new lease on life. Using circular regeneration technology, marine waste is transformed into high-performance, eco-friendly building materials that are waterproof, moisture-resistant, and corrosion-resistant, becoming a vital force in Yilan County's push for sustainable development.
1. Current Status of Marine Waste at Daxi Fishing Port
The environmental fleet at Daxi Fishing Port collects 7 tons of marine waste annually, including:
171 kg of recyclable waste (PET bottles, bottle caps, polystyrene foam)
1,315 kg of discarded fishing nets
These wastes primarily come from fishermen's beverage bottles, plastic fishing gear, beach litter, and agricultural waste. Improperly handled marine waste not only pollutes the ocean but also poses a threat to marine life, impacting the sustainability of fishery resources.
2. 7 Tons of Marine Waste Annually, Building 2 Net-Zero Public Restrooms
Each year, the 7 tons of collected marine waste are processed through GreenWood's circular regeneration technology, transforming them into enough building materials to construct 2 net-zero public restrooms. This not only addresses the challenge of marine waste disposal but also injects sustainable life into Yilan County's public infrastructure. Each restroom stands as a testament to the rebirth of marine waste, allowing visitors to experience the "Marine Waste to Gold" circular economy model firsthand.
3. Policy Background and Opportunities
Yilan County Government is committed to promoting sustainable development and carbon neutrality goals. This project aligns closely with the following policies:
2050 Net-Zero Carbon Emissions Policy
Environmental Protection Agency Public Restroom Improvement Plan
Green Building Promotion Plan
Through this project, Yilan has the opportunity to become Taiwan's first "Marine Waste Recycled Public Restroom Demonstration County," showcasing resource recycling and net-zero environmental values, while attracting more eco-friendly businesses and tourism investments.
4. GreenWood Technology: Transforming Marine Waste into Weather-Resistant Building Materials
GreenWood technology upgrades and recycles marine waste plastics into durable building materials suitable for high-humidity environments, enhancing the longevity of public restrooms and reducing maintenance costs.
PP (PET bottles) → Moisture-resistant panels
PE (Bottle caps) → Waterproof flooring
PS (Polystyrene foam) → High-strength composite boards
Advantages of GreenWood materials:
Waterproof, moisture-resistant, and corrosion-resistant, ideal for the humid environment of fishing ports
High durability, reducing long-term maintenance costs for public restrooms
Eco-friendly and low-carbon, reducing the need for new plastic production and lowering carbon emissions
Aesthetic and eco-friendly, creating demonstration restrooms with educational value
5. Integrating Smart Sustainable Technology to Build 2 Net-Zero Public Restrooms
The design of these restrooms incorporates smart sustainable technologies to further achieve low-carbon emissions and circular resource utilization.
Solar power systems, reducing reliance on electricity
Natural light guidance, reducing lighting needs and energy consumption
Recycled water systems, collecting rainwater to minimize water waste
Micro energy storage systems, improving energy efficiency
Smart energy-saving glass, enhancing indoor comfort
6. ESG Triple Value
Environment (E - Environment)
Marine waste recycling reduces plastic pollution
Solar and microgrid technologies lower carbon emissions from public restrooms
Building materials contain at least 50% recycled plastics, realizing circular economy principles
Social (S - Social)
Improves restroom hygiene and durability, creating clean and comfortable public spaces
Environmental education through design, allowing visitors to experience the "Marine Waste to Gold" concept
Creates local job opportunities, supporting Yilan's green industry development
Governance (G - Governance)
Collaborates with the government to promote sustainable construction and strengthen policy implementation
Enhances corporate ESG performance, encouraging private sector participation in eco-friendly public infrastructure
Quantifies impact through carbon footprint calculations and recycled material data, providing transparent reporting
7. Deepening Roots in Yilan, Supporting Local Revitalization
GreenWood is not only dedicated to the development of eco-friendly building materials but also actively invests in Yilan's local sustainable revitalization. Through collaboration with Chief Designer Jacky Gao and leveraging SSBTi (Science-Based Targets initiative) sustainable technology resources, GreenWood will launch a sustainable designer training program in Yilan. This program aims to cultivate local sustainable design talent, giving Yilan's youth the opportunity to participate in the practice of the circular economy and become future leaders in sustainable development.
8. Tourism Economy × Environmental Education: Turning Restrooms into Green Landmarks
Yilan attracts a large number of tourists each year, and public restrooms are essential infrastructure. Through this project, restrooms will no longer be just a necessity but also:
Environmental education hubs: Featuring interactive "Marine Waste to Gold" displays, allowing visitors to learn about the marine waste recycling process and its impact
Green tourism highlights: Becoming demonstration sites for Yilan's circular economy, attracting tourists interested in ESG and environmental issues
9. Expected Impact and Future Development
This proposal will bring the following concrete benefits:
Recycling 7 tons of marine waste, reducing ocean pollution
Taiwan's first marine waste recycled net-zero public restrooms
Enhancing restroom durability, lowering long-term maintenance costs
Implementing ESG principles, boosting tourism and local economy
Establishing a circular economy demonstration, helping Yilan become a benchmark "Sustainable County"
Conclusion: Opening a New Future for Marine Waste as Resources
These 2 demonstration restrooms are not just an eco-friendly construction project but a transformative initiative for the city. Through this project, we hope to open a new future where marine waste becomes resources and discarded plastics turn into landscapes, making resource recycling a sustainable hallmark of Yilan. Every piece of building material transformed from marine waste tells a story of regeneration and hope, filling every inch of Yilan's land with a sustainable spirit. Combined with GreenWood's sustainable designer training program, we look forward to Yilan's youth becoming future leaders in sustainable development, collectively infusing this land with more green energy.
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