By: Precious Mills
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts (Monday 13th April 2026) u2014 Local visitors who boarded the Republic of China (Taiwan) Navy fleet during the recent Open Ship Experience at Port Zante in St. Kitts and Nevis (Thursday 9th to Saturday 11th April 2026) not only explored the vessels and interacted with crew members to learn about life at sea, but were also introduced to environmentally friendly products made from recycled diapers using a technology process developed in Taiwan.
Such eco-friendly items include hats, napkins, glasses (shades) and books produced through a recycling process that transforms used diapers into reusable materials.
Speaking exclusively with this media house at the Recycle Diaper exhibit area on Friday 10th April 2026 was crew member David Lin, who explained how Taiwan has developed a system to recycle the significant amount of waste generated from disposable diapers used by both children and adults.
Information displayed at the booth on the subject u2018Waste Reborn, Sustainability Renewedu2019 outlined the environmental context behind the initiative and the technology used to repurpose the waste.
According to information provided at the exhibit, Taiwan officially entered a super-aged society in 2025, according to the Ministry of the Interior. As long-term care centres and hospitals continue to expand, the demand for adult diapers has surpassed that of infant diapers.
However, disposable diaper waste has long lacked an effective recycling solution, generating over 1,300 tons of waste daily across Taiwan, resulting in ongoing environmental and ecological damage. The display further explained that Yi-Chun Green Technology Co. Ltd. has developed a comprehensive circular recycling system using patented processes to extract and regenerate materials from used diapers. These recovered materials are transformed into new plastic products, giving the waste a second life while advancing the vision of waste regeneration and environmental sustainability.
u201cAll the products here, the hats, the napkins, the glasses, are made by diapers because in Taiwan, we use a lot of diapers for kids, for elders, and the diapers will make a lot of waste. So they figured out a way to recycle it. We collect it and clean it, send it to the factory,u201d Lin told this reporter.
He further explained that the initiative focuses specifically on collecting used diapers which are then processed using specialized technology u201cand make it into the materials like plastic, the papers, and in the end, weu2019ll make the products like hats, napkins, those things, and even a table, the book is made by diapers.u201d
According to Lin, Taiwan has developed a structured collection system that allows the diapers to be gathered efficiently before they are processed at a recycling facility.
u201cThere is a company. It will send cars to every city. And the diapers, we will throw away the diapers with the bag that is particular for the diapersu2026 for children, for elders we collect all the diapers together and we were saying that the company will send the cars to collect it into the factory.u201d
Despite concerns that may arise about sanitation in using the soiled diapers, Lin assured that the diapers undergo a comprehensive cleaning process as part of the recycling technology.
u201cYeah, of course. All the diapers they useu2026 any because they will do the cleaning; thatu2019s their tech,u201d he commented during the interview after two local visitors looking on were moved to ask if soiled diapers are used.
The finished products, he informed, are sold by the company. u201cThe product, just like the book, they [the company] will sell it.u201d
Another question by a local visitor questioned whether food crates are made from the diaper material to which Lin replied no.
When asked by this reporter to talk about the importance of recycling, he reflected on the environmental importance of recycling, particularly from the perspective of someone who travels frequently.
u201cIu2019m a traveler. I like to travel around the world, and the best part is the sight. But all these waste, it will attack the environment. So it will be bad. The view will be bad.u201d
According to the Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) in St. Kitts and Nevis via its official Facebook page, the fleetu2014officially designated the 2026 Midshipmen and Cruising Training Squadron and led by Chen Ming-fengu2014made its first return to St. Kitts and Nevis in 23 years.
Furthermore, it was highlighted that during the port call in Basseterre, the ships were opened to the public, attracting approximately 1,500 visitors who took the opportunity to tour the vessels and engage with members of the Taiwanese naval delegation.
It was also shared that leading the visit were the naval ships Panshi (AOE 532), Yueh Fei (PFG 1106), and Di Hua (PFG 1206) of the 2026 Midshipmen and Cruising Training Squadron, bringing both maritime expertise and cultural exchange to St. Kitts and Nevis. The Embassy also highlighted the live cultural showcase held along Bay Road, in front of RAMu2019s Supermarket during the visit.
Following the three-day visit, the goodwill fleet continued its regional tour with St. Lucia as the next stop.