TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — New Taipei City Council passed the third reading of an ordinance in early July to regulate the sale and release of sky lanterns, per UDN.
The decision comes after months of debate over regulating the popular folk practice that sends paper lanterns high into the night sky, powered by flammable fuel. The activity is not only polluting but also a safety risk to nearby residents.
According to the National Fire Agency, 10 municipalities across Taiwan ban the release of sky lanterns due to the threat of fire. The remaining municipalities require a permit before releasing sky lanterns. Failure to do so incurs a fine of up to NT$3,000 (US$103).
New Taipei City councilors sought to manage the benefits and costs of sky lanterns through new legislation that makes the activity safer and more sustainable.
The new legislation requires vendors to register with the city and purchase individual sticker certificates for each sky lantern sold. The price for such a certificate would begin at NT$20 per CTS.
Typically, the cost of sky lanterns sold in Pingxi ranges from NT$150 to NT$400, making the tax negligible. Furthermore, between 80-90% of tourists to the area are foreign, with the higher cost having little impact on their interest in releasing sky lanterns.
The funds collected by the local government will allow an insurance fund to compensate victims of sky lantern accidents, such as personal injury or property damage. It will also enable hiring workers to clean up sky lanterns after they fall to the ground and litter the environment and generate revenue for an elderly social services fund.
According to the legislation, the mayor will appoint a committee composed of sky lantern businesses, community representatives, district offices, and relevant city members to jointly decide on the design of the sticker certificate and management of the sustainable development fund.
Sky lantern vendors who do not affix a sticker certificate or otherwise refuse to comply with regulations face a fine between NT$3,000 and NT$100,000 based on the number of sky lanterns sold.
