In Hong Kong, many people are only now starting to learn about recycling, and putting waste paper, plastic and metals in designated recycling bins.
While the city debates whether to charge residents for the waste that they produce, Taiwanese citizens have been busy recycling for more than a decade.
Earlier this month, 19 prize-winning university students from Hong Kong went on a four-day visit to Taipei to learn about the city's recycling efforts.
They were selected after writing business proposals that minimise waste and pollution in manufacturing, in the 'Green Manufacturing' competition, sponsored by the Chinese Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong, and co-organised by Young Post.
They were told about Taiwan's government-run 'Per Bag Trash Collection Fee' programme, which encourages residents to take responsibility for reducing household waste. The scheme has reduced the volume of waste produced by Taipei residents by 35 per cent. Since July 1, 2000, people can dump household waste only in specially designated rubbish bags produced by the government. Each 25kg-capacity bag costs NT$54 (HK$14) and is available from supermarkets and convenience stores.
Residents in each home are also responsible for separating the different types of waste before collection each week by government refuse vehicles. Different waste items are collected on specific days during the week.
Shirley Xiang Xiaohui, 19, who studies at Hong Kong University, was impressed by the scheme. 'I think in Hong Kong we need to expand our recycling efforts to include food waste,' she says. 'Although we have different rubbish bins for various things, our scheme lacks supervision and incentives, so the effects have not been maximised.'