City News
Date : 2026-06-12 Source : New Taipei City Government
New Taipei City Toy Bank Impresses EU IURC Delegation Integrating Environmental Sustainability and Social Welfare to Advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals
June 11, 2026
New Taipei City, Taiwan — In recent years, the New Taipei City Government has actively promoted sustainable development and carbon reduction policies, drawing significant attention from the European Union's International Urban and Regional Cooperation (IURC) Programme. On June 11, a delegation of representatives from several European cities participating in the IURC Programme visited the New Taipei City Toy Bank flagship center, “Toy Sharing Hub,” for an in-depth exchange.
The five-member European delegation focused particularly on New Taipei City's innovative model of integrating second-hand toy recycling with both the principles of the circular economy and social welfare services. The visitors expressed strong interest in bringing this unique Taiwanese experience back to Europe and further strengthening international cooperation on sustainable urban development.
The IURC Programme has long been committed to promoting sustainable transformation and resource circularity among cities worldwide. Professor Marino Cavallo, Head of Research, Innovation and EU Projects of the Metropolitan City of Bologna, Italy, and leader of the delegation, remarked that while toy libraries in Europe are generally small-scale community-based lending initiatives, the New Taipei City Toy Bank demonstrates a comprehensive and large-scale circular economy system that is truly remarkable.
Welcoming the delegation, Ms. Chu Hui-Mei, Secretary-General of the New Taipei City Government, noted that since its establishment, the New Taipei City Toy Bank has operated through a public-private partnership model led by the Taiwan Toy Library Association in collaboration with community organizations and corporate partners. To date, the initiative has recycled more than 280 metric tons of second-hand toys.
Through a systematic process of collection, sorting, repair, refurbishment, and redistribution, large volumes of discarded plastic toys have been transformed into valuable social welfare and educational resources. Toys that cannot be repaired are processed into recycled materials and repurposed into circular products such as the “Lulu Chair.” The delegation recognized this low-carbon practice as an outstanding example of advancing United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11, Sustainable Cities and Communities, and SDG 12, Responsible Consumption and Production.
The unique achievements of the New Taipei City Toy Bank have attracted a growing number of international visitors throughout 2026. In addition to the IURC delegation from Europe, the Toy Bank has also welcomed representatives from the Australian Toy Library Association and three professors from the Department of Early Childhood Education at Tamagawa University in Japan. From Oceania and Asia to Europe, the New Taipei City Toy Bank has become an emerging highlight of international exchange and city diplomacy.
Mr. Huang Feng-Ming, Chief Secretary of the Department of Social Welfare, stated that beyond its physical flagship center, the Toy Bank also operates mobile toy vehicles that deliver refurbished toys and professional educational services to rural and underserved communities, enabling intergenerational play and learning opportunities. Through public-private collaboration that embodies Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles, the initiative continues to receive recognition from international organizations and academic institutions.
Ms. Yu Liang-Ling, Chairperson of the Taiwan Toy Library Association, added that international visitors from Australia, Japan, and Europe are consistently impressed by the collective efforts of Taiwanese citizens, volunteers, and businesses. Looking ahead, the New Taipei City Toy Bank will continue expanding international exchanges and partnerships, sharing its model of resource conservation and intergenerational inclusion with communities around the world.
New Taipei City, Taiwan — In recent years, the New Taipei City Government has actively promoted sustainable development and carbon reduction policies, drawing significant attention from the European Union's International Urban and Regional Cooperation (IURC) Programme. On June 11, a delegation of representatives from several European cities participating in the IURC Programme visited the New Taipei City Toy Bank flagship center, “Toy Sharing Hub,” for an in-depth exchange.
The five-member European delegation focused particularly on New Taipei City's innovative model of integrating second-hand toy recycling with both the principles of the circular economy and social welfare services. The visitors expressed strong interest in bringing this unique Taiwanese experience back to Europe and further strengthening international cooperation on sustainable urban development.
The IURC Programme has long been committed to promoting sustainable transformation and resource circularity among cities worldwide. Professor Marino Cavallo, Head of Research, Innovation and EU Projects of the Metropolitan City of Bologna, Italy, and leader of the delegation, remarked that while toy libraries in Europe are generally small-scale community-based lending initiatives, the New Taipei City Toy Bank demonstrates a comprehensive and large-scale circular economy system that is truly remarkable.
Welcoming the delegation, Ms. Chu Hui-Mei, Secretary-General of the New Taipei City Government, noted that since its establishment, the New Taipei City Toy Bank has operated through a public-private partnership model led by the Taiwan Toy Library Association in collaboration with community organizations and corporate partners. To date, the initiative has recycled more than 280 metric tons of second-hand toys.
Through a systematic process of collection, sorting, repair, refurbishment, and redistribution, large volumes of discarded plastic toys have been transformed into valuable social welfare and educational resources. Toys that cannot be repaired are processed into recycled materials and repurposed into circular products such as the “Lulu Chair.” The delegation recognized this low-carbon practice as an outstanding example of advancing United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11, Sustainable Cities and Communities, and SDG 12, Responsible Consumption and Production.
The unique achievements of the New Taipei City Toy Bank have attracted a growing number of international visitors throughout 2026. In addition to the IURC delegation from Europe, the Toy Bank has also welcomed representatives from the Australian Toy Library Association and three professors from the Department of Early Childhood Education at Tamagawa University in Japan. From Oceania and Asia to Europe, the New Taipei City Toy Bank has become an emerging highlight of international exchange and city diplomacy.
Mr. Huang Feng-Ming, Chief Secretary of the Department of Social Welfare, stated that beyond its physical flagship center, the Toy Bank also operates mobile toy vehicles that deliver refurbished toys and professional educational services to rural and underserved communities, enabling intergenerational play and learning opportunities. Through public-private collaboration that embodies Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles, the initiative continues to receive recognition from international organizations and academic institutions.
Ms. Yu Liang-Ling, Chairperson of the Taiwan Toy Library Association, added that international visitors from Australia, Japan, and Europe are consistently impressed by the collective efforts of Taiwanese citizens, volunteers, and businesses. Looking ahead, the New Taipei City Toy Bank will continue expanding international exchanges and partnerships, sharing its model of resource conservation and intergenerational inclusion with communities around the world.
