Ever Rich Duty Free galvanised support from its staff and consumers this month to mark International Coastal Cleanup Day (17 September).

A total of 220 volunteers including consumers drawn from the company’s members system and Facebook fan page removed 1,350kg of marine waste in the space of one hour from beaches in Linkou District, New Taipei City.

As part of a broader commitment to tackling marine pollution, Ever Rich Duty Free staff were involved in more than 10 beach cleanup operations from 1-17 September in Taipei, Taoyuan, Taichung, Kaohsiung, Kinmen, Penghu, Xiaoliuqiu, Green Island and elsewhere.

A total of 368 volunteers succeeded in removing 2,279kg of coastal waste.

This year, Ever Rich Duty Free aims to reduce its carbon footprint by nine million kilograms through three major policies: plastic reduction, energy saving and environmentally friendly packaging.

It has offered discounted prices on hot drinks when consumers use their own cups and free member points by refusing shopping bags when purchases are made.

Working with green suppliers, introducing products using environmentally sustainable materials and implementing smart recycling machines are among the other measures.

“Ever Rich hopes to convey the green concept into everyone’s daily consumption habits, in order to protect Taiwan and the earth,” said the company.