To support sustainability and continue public-private cooperation, the Ministry of Environment organized the Follow the Pink Supercar on a Green Pilgrimage campaign during the 2026 Baishatun Mazu pilgrimage. The Environmental Management Administration (EMA), Ministry of Environment (opens in a new window) partnered with Junior Chamber International (JCI) to accompany pilgrims from April 13 to 18, promoting the message that cigarette butts do not belong on the ground and drawing on young people's influence to create a cleaner environment.
EMA and JCI volunteers wore distinctive vests and cigarette butt prevention armbands as they shared environmental messages among the pilgrims. On the afternoon of April 18, Minister of Environment Peng Chi-ming and EMA Director-General Yen Hsu-ming personally led the team. Carrying metal cigarette butt containers and litter pickers, they spoke directly with worshippers about keeping cigarette butts off the ground. Their example encouraged the public to protect the land while practicing their faith.
The Ministry of Environment (opens in a new window) said that, since signing a memorandum of cooperation with JCI on January 12, 2025, to keep cigarette butts off the ground and improve the environment, the two organizations have jointly encouraged businesses to fulfill their environmental responsibilities. For the Baishatun pilgrimage, JCI Taiwan National President Chang Hsu-chih mobilized members to become environmental walkers. When volunteers saw people or pilgrims gathering to smoke, they offered collection containers and reminded them to clean up their own cigarette butts. Volunteers also picked up butts from the road, reducing their spread through the environment and helping make environmental care a shared habit.
The Ministry stressed that microplastics remaining in cigarette butts cause far-reaching ecological damage. It called on every smoker to keep butts off the ground, extinguish cigarettes completely and place them in designated butt containers or rubbish bins. This small action demonstrates consideration for others and helps realize the shared vision of fewer cigarette butts and a cleaner, more beautiful Taiwan.