18/08/2026
I am back home again in Cork after my 12 days to Taiwan Creative Expo.
I embarked on this journey with a curiousity, when the opportunity came to expansion, Taiwan was calling. It was a personal choice rather than a calculated one. I told myself to go with an open mind, especially with EU regulation tightening.
I am seriously jetlagged, up at 2am everyday... apologies if this post makes no sense.... but I wanted to reflect on my trip with the thought of fitting in as a small business.
Let's started with the last 2 images - the four recycling bins, yes 4! I knew how to recycle properly before I can read, grew up in Taiwan, it was culturely, domestically educated, distilled in us. Not by heavily taxed on business.
IP brands were dominating the expo, eye watering amount of plastics and paper were produced for products and marketing material, the opposite of what I believe the world needs while I am all about creativity, I can't help how it impact the world. Does Taiwan's recycling facility can fully support the production?
Those EU regulations were written for big companies that does not belong into those 4 bins.
It's a worldwide issue we have, not production or recycling, it's consumption. And our world leaders think money can solve the problem... maybe they know they can't but still need to take some actions?
The world is a funny place right now, all I can do is keep my head down and keep my hands busy.... It's truly one place I know I belong.
I am still looking forward returning to Taiwan next year, already making plans. I hope some day Irish and Taiwanese craft can be exchanged and this week, I look forward meet up with my fellow makers at our Cork Craft Month exhibition reception, come join us ###