TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan High Speed Rail said Thursday that it used recycled plastic bottles to create eco-friendly fabric for employee uniforms.

THSR held a press conference at Taipei Nangang station on Thursday when General Manager James Jeng (鄭光遠) launched the "100% THSRC Recycled" initiative as part of its carbon reduction efforts, per CNA.

In addition to updating employee uniforms with eco-friendly materials, the company has replaced train seat headrest covers and cup lids with more environmentally friendly alternatives. It has also used recycled microwave meal boxes to create shopping bags.

THSR has also partnered with several Taiwanese companies to recycle plastic bottles from high-speed rail stations and turn them into baseball caps, pens, and umbrellas.

Last year, the THSR reduced waste by 17 tonnes, leading to a significant carbon reduction of nearly 48 tonnes. The company encourages passengers to participate in waste reduction efforts to promote environmental sustainability.

Jeng said the company will partner with Raingo to offer umbrella rental services. From March, passengers will be able to rent and return umbrellas at 12 THSR stations, Taoyuan and Taipei MRT stations, and more than 500 Raingo locations in northern Taiwan.

According to the Ministry of Environment, carbon inventory will be expanded to service sectors with high energy consumption, including transportation, medical institutions, and small- to medium-sized manufacturers. From next year, businesses exceeding the regulated emission limits will be required to register their greenhouse gas emissions by May for the previous year.