SDG12
NCKU has partnered with San Shang Catering to adopt and install ECOCO smart recycling machines on campus
National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) Builds a Sustainable Campus and Implements the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
In collaboration with San Shang Catering, National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) has adopted and installed five ECOCO smart recycling machines (bottle collection machines) on campus. Officially launched on October 29, the machines are strategically placed across the Kuang-Fu, Cheng-Kung, Sheng-Li, and Li-Hsing campuses, inviting faculty, staff, and students to actively participate in campus resource recycling and reuse. It is estimated that these machines will help reduce carbon emissions by over 4,000 kilograms annually.
ECOCO is a local enterprise based in Tainan, leveraging AIoT (Artificial Intelligence of Things) technology to operate Taiwan's largest smart recycling system. The machines include bottle collection machines, battery collection machines, and integrated machines. The bottle collection machines are designed to recycle plastic bottles, aluminum cans, and plastic drink cups. The integrated machines can collect both bottles and cans, as well as batteries. Using advanced item recognition technology and feedback mechanisms, ECOCO encourages the public to engage actively in recycling. Additionally, the data analytics feature helps businesses and schools track recycling performance and develop more effective sustainability strategies.
At the launch ceremony for the ECOCO smart recycling machines, NCKU Vice President Jun-Zhang Li, Director of General Affairs Shui-Wang Chen, Director of the International Business Management Institute You-Yu Zhang, Director of the Institute of International Business Shao-Ji Zhang, Department of Business Administration Chairperson Xin-Hui Zhou, Sustainability Officer at San Shang Catering Rong-Wei Wang, ECOCO Founder Han-Yang Li, ECOCO Chief Operating Officer and NCKU alumnus Chang-Lian Wu, and several NCKU EMBA alumni attended as distinguished guests.
In his speech, Vice President Jun-Zhang Li emphasized that recycled PET plastic can be used to produce food containers, clothing, footwear materials, and other textiles. The European Union has mandated that beverage containers made from PET must contain at least 25% recycled PET, with an established timeline to gradually increase this percentage. The Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) and the Ministry of the Environment are actively promoting the recycling of PET food containers to be reused for producing new food containers. This past August, the ECOCO bottle collection machines were trialed at NCKU with excellent results, and there are hopes to install more machines in the future. Through this collaboration with San Shang Catering, NCKU not only helps enterprises improve their ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) practices but also fulfills its social responsibility as a university. The partnership reflects mutual support and benefits, contributing to the shared prosperity of the campus and the business community.
San Shang Catering's Sustainability Officer, Rong-Wei Wang, stated that collaboration with academic institutions is crucial for a business's sustainable development. This partnership, focused on environmental protection and resource recycling, demonstrates San Shang Catering's commitment to corporate social responsibility and provides NCKU's faculty and students with an opportunity to practice sustainability principles. He expressed hope for continued collaboration with NCKU and ECOCO to promote green sustainability and contribute to achieving the sustainable development goals (SDGs).
ECOCO Founder Han-Yang Li mentioned that the ECOCO smart recycling machines allow consumers to engage in clean recycling by separating labels and bottle caps, reducing the likelihood of contamination at the backend. This process increases the PET recycling rate to over 95%. Furthermore, the backend data analytics feature helps businesses and schools track recycling results and create more effective sustainability strategies. He thanked San Shang Catering and NCKU for recognizing and supporting the ECOCO recycling system.
The five ECOCO smart recycling machines are now set up at the following locations on campus: the Student Activity Center at Kuang-Fu Campus, the second dormitory at Kuang-Fu Campus, the Department of Resource Engineering at Cheng-Kung Campus, the Student Activity Center at Sheng-Li Campus, and the Biotechnology Teaching Building at Li-Hsing Campus. The machines have been in trial operation at NCKU for 90 days. Over the past three months, nearly 20,000 bottles and cans have been collected, with plastic bottles making up the largest portion (over 16,000 items), followed by aluminum cans and plastic bubble tea cups. The recycling effort has resulted in a reduction of more than 1,000 kilograms of carbon emissions, equivalent to the carbon absorption of 45 trees over the course of a year.
In collaboration with San Shang Catering, National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) has adopted and installed five ECOCO smart recycling machines (bottle collection machines) on campus. Officially launched on October 29, the machines are strategically placed across the Kuang-Fu, Cheng-Kung, Sheng-Li, and Li-Hsing campuses, inviting faculty, staff, and students to actively participate in campus resource recycling and reuse. It is estimated that these machines will help reduce carbon emissions by over 4,000 kilograms annually.
ECOCO is a local enterprise based in Tainan, leveraging AIoT (Artificial Intelligence of Things) technology to operate Taiwan's largest smart recycling system. The machines include bottle collection machines, battery collection machines, and integrated machines. The bottle collection machines are designed to recycle plastic bottles, aluminum cans, and plastic drink cups. The integrated machines can collect both bottles and cans, as well as batteries. Using advanced item recognition technology and feedback mechanisms, ECOCO encourages the public to engage actively in recycling. Additionally, the data analytics feature helps businesses and schools track recycling performance and develop more effective sustainability strategies.
At the launch ceremony for the ECOCO smart recycling machines, NCKU Vice President Jun-Zhang Li, Director of General Affairs Shui-Wang Chen, Director of the International Business Management Institute You-Yu Zhang, Director of the Institute of International Business Shao-Ji Zhang, Department of Business Administration Chairperson Xin-Hui Zhou, Sustainability Officer at San Shang Catering Rong-Wei Wang, ECOCO Founder Han-Yang Li, ECOCO Chief Operating Officer and NCKU alumnus Chang-Lian Wu, and several NCKU EMBA alumni attended as distinguished guests.
In his speech, Vice President Jun-Zhang Li emphasized that recycled PET plastic can be used to produce food containers, clothing, footwear materials, and other textiles. The European Union has mandated that beverage containers made from PET must contain at least 25% recycled PET, with an established timeline to gradually increase this percentage. The Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) and the Ministry of the Environment are actively promoting the recycling of PET food containers to be reused for producing new food containers. This past August, the ECOCO bottle collection machines were trialed at NCKU with excellent results, and there are hopes to install more machines in the future. Through this collaboration with San Shang Catering, NCKU not only helps enterprises improve their ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) practices but also fulfills its social responsibility as a university. The partnership reflects mutual support and benefits, contributing to the shared prosperity of the campus and the business community.
San Shang Catering's Sustainability Officer, Rong-Wei Wang, stated that collaboration with academic institutions is crucial for a business's sustainable development. This partnership, focused on environmental protection and resource recycling, demonstrates San Shang Catering's commitment to corporate social responsibility and provides NCKU's faculty and students with an opportunity to practice sustainability principles. He expressed hope for continued collaboration with NCKU and ECOCO to promote green sustainability and contribute to achieving the sustainable development goals (SDGs).
ECOCO Founder Han-Yang Li mentioned that the ECOCO smart recycling machines allow consumers to engage in clean recycling by separating labels and bottle caps, reducing the likelihood of contamination at the backend. This process increases the PET recycling rate to over 95%. Furthermore, the backend data analytics feature helps businesses and schools track recycling results and create more effective sustainability strategies. He thanked San Shang Catering and NCKU for recognizing and supporting the ECOCO recycling system.
The five ECOCO smart recycling machines are now set up at the following locations on campus: the Student Activity Center at Kuang-Fu Campus, the second dormitory at Kuang-Fu Campus, the Department of Resource Engineering at Cheng-Kung Campus, the Student Activity Center at Sheng-Li Campus, and the Biotechnology Teaching Building at Li-Hsing Campus. The machines have been in trial operation at NCKU for 90 days. Over the past three months, nearly 20,000 bottles and cans have been collected, with plastic bottles making up the largest portion (over 16,000 items), followed by aluminum cans and plastic bubble tea cups. The recycling effort has resulted in a reduction of more than 1,000 kilograms of carbon emissions, equivalent to the carbon absorption of 45 trees over the course of a year.
NCKU Unveils ECOCO Smart Recycling Machine—Bottle Collection Station
Vice President Jun-Zhang Li placed the plastic bottle into the ECOCO smart recycling machine.
The campus and businesses join hands to promote resource recycling, reduce carbon emissions, and support green sustainability.
