Social participation

As a corporate citizen, giving back to the society and fulfilling corporate social responsibilities have always been the philosophies and goals ECOVE upholds on top of dedicating efforts to the Company's operations. Hence, besides the long-term commitment to the improvement of its main business, the Company is committed in long-term social participation with specific themes. With three themes of "long-term community building", "friendly corporate volunteers for the common good", and ”operations-related community activities“, personnel is encouraged to participate in happy and meaningful volunteer activities and contribute to society through practical actions and strike a balance between work and life. Despite the severe challenges posed by the pandemic in 2022, ECOVE remained committed to public welfare and caring for the local disadvantaged communities. ECOVE employees participated in various social activities, totaling 1,005 persons and 3,051 hours of dedicated service.

Operations-related community activities

To promote public participation in environmental protection, environmental education and communication channels are essential. Therefore, ECOVE actively promotes environmental education and has established five certified environmental education facilities. These facilities serve as enjoyable learning centers for the public and are equipped with educational resources. One notable example is Miaoli EfW Plant, which was designated as a visitation facility for the international event "Taiwan in My Eyes 120H." To cultivate the younger generation's basic understanding, values, and sustainable lifestyle towards the environment, ECOVE has been collaborating with the CTCI Education Foundation (CTCI EF) since 2018. They launched a three-year project called "Step by step: Factories for Sustainable Environmental Education " targeting elementary schools across Taiwan. This project aims to change the traditional passive factory visitation model by actively promoting environmental education on school campuses, thereby teaching children about sustainable lifestyles. Due to the enthusiastic and dedicated efforts of ECOVE's environmental education team, their work has been recognized and appreciated by teachers and students. In 2021, they continued their collaboration with the CTCI Education Foundation (CTCI EF) and expanded their promotion to elementary schools nationwide through the "Step by step: Factories for Sustainable Environmental Education" five-year project. This project aligns with the United Nations' initiatives and aims to deeply root environmental education by reaching out to schools and communities.

Collaboration for six years
Taiwan in My Eyes 120H

The "Taiwan in My Eyes 120H" initiative is an international event organized jointly by the CTCI Education Foundation (CTCIEF) and the Center for Corporate Sustainability (CCS) in Taiwan, which integrates the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Each year, the program specially arranges visits to exemplary Taiwanese companies for undergraduate and graduate students from domestic and international universities. In 2022, due to the pandemic, the event was held in the form of online tours, and ECOVE headquarters was designated as one of the visitation sites. The headquarters building is designed with the concept of intelligent energy management and eco-friendliness. It has obtained the "Taiwan Green Building EEWH Diamond Certification," "Smart Building Diamond Certification," and "LEED Gold Certification" from the United States Green Building Council. In 2022, it was also honored with the "National Architecture Gold Award." Through online participation, the participants gained insights into the overall planning of ECOVE's headquarters. In addition to having a user- friendly, practical, and comfortable flexible office space, the headquarters incorporates advanced green building and smart building design techniques. It aims to create an intelligent green building that can engage in dialogue with people, facilities, and the environment while promoting energy efficiency, sustainability, and environmental harmony. The visiting participants also utilized social media platforms like Facebook to amplify their voices internationally, showcasing Taiwan's profound sustainability efforts to the world. In 2023, Miaoli EfW Plant was once again selected as a designated visitation site. With its distinctive thematic exhibition spaces and various multimedia features, it serves as a connection point to showcase the operational aspects of the incineration plant and related environmental concepts. The goal is to create a green dream factory, emphasizing sustainability and environmental consciousness. Under the guidance of ECOVE staff, the participants are provided with explanations on practical knowledge related to waste resource sorting, waste incineration treatment, air pollution control technologies, and energy recycle for power generation. This educational experience aims to enhance participants' knowledge and values in environmental protection, cultivating a strong foundation in sustainable practices.

5 plants
Cultivating a Green Future with Environmental Education acilities

ECOVE has established long-term partnerships with local resources and is committed to environmental education, deeply engaging in local environmental and ecological issues. Environmental education facilities refer to professional facilities which integrate environmental education professional capabilities, professional curriculums, and appropriate environmental education resources on the land regions with the characteristics of environmental education resources, and provide professional services for school students and the general public, so as to achieve the multi-functional objectives of education, research, conservation, culture, and recreation. This aligns perfectly with ECOVE's commitment to community engagement and contribution. Therefore, ECOVE actively participates in the certification of environmental education facilities and integrates its expertise in resource recycling. Taking into account the unique characteristics of each incineration plant, as well as the cultural and geographical aspects, ECOVE designs a variety of environmental education programs tailored to different age groups.
▼ ECOVE’s development of environmental education

Environment protection is not a farfetched, difficult matter. Through various environmental education courses, we can practice green actions in life to be friendly to the planet and protect it! The ECOVE Environmental Education team offers a variety of environmental education courses, including engaging SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) curriculum, waste-to-energy education, sustainable living, and upcycling workshops. These courses are provided free of charge, and applications from all sectors are welcome.
Activity Program: Various Environmental Education Visits Target audience: Schools, institutions, organizations, and community groups are all eligible to apply.
Application method: Please contact the Environmental Education Specialist via email at ecovecsr@ecove.com.

For five consecutive years
Step by step: Factories for sustainable environmental education.

To enable the next generation to understand the relationship between humans and the natural environment, as well as the relationship between humans and the environment in terms of society, economy, etc., while cultivating fundamental environmental concepts, values, and sustainable lifestyles, ECOVE has been collaborating with the CTCI Education Foundation (CTCI EF) since 2018. The "Step by step: Factories for sustainable environmental education" three-year program was launched, targeting elementary schools nationwide. ECOVE employees entered schools as lecturers to promote environmental education and teach children about sustainable lifestyles. The program received enthusiastic responses from many schools and students. In 2021, ECOVE continued its collaboration with the CTCI Education Foundation (CTCI EF) and extended the program to elementary schools nationwide. Following the content of the "Step by step: Factories for sustainable environmental education" three-year program, the "Step by step: Factories for sustainable environmental education" five-year program was initiated.

Through this program, we continuously enhance the content of our teaching materials. In addition to focusing on ECOVE's incinerator operation and recycling as core materials, the content is designed for different age groups and incorporates environmentally friendly hands-on activities. Examples include making crafts with recycled paper, such as handmade fans, and reusing seeds. We also integrate the concept of SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) in daily life and address current environmental issues. This allows children to learn about important environmental concepts, such as the principles of waste-to-energy incineration, environmental certifications, and waste sorting, in an engaging and enjoyable way. Through videos, we also educate children about the presence of one hundred million tons of plastic waste in the ocean and guide them to reject plastic products like straws.

In 2022, the second year of the "Step by step: Factories for sustainable environmental education" program, nearly 56% of the events were a result of repeat invitations from previously participating schools. A total of 21 sessions were conducted, with 3,117 students participating. The program spanned from Dingnei Elementary School in Keelung in the north, to Gangshan Elementary School in Kaohsiung in the south, and even reached rural schools like Shuiwei Elementary School in Changhua County. ECOVE hopes that through continuous promotion, environmental education will permeate from school children to families, and then to rural and local neighborhoods, so as to maintain our beautiful living environment.

▼ Social Benefits of "Step by step: Factories for sustainable environmental education"


Long-term community building

In the past, ECOVE's operating sites were classified as NIMBY facilities, which gave local residents a sense of disgust and insecurity. ECOVE takes the initiative in showing concern for the locals and strives towards pollution reduction, energy-saving and carbon reduction, and environmental beautification and greening. It also makes the effort to get along with the neighbors, safeguards the community environment, organizes coastal cleanups, participates in community activities, builds environmental protection facilities, and maintains a quality and safe living environment, transforming a "NIMBY facility" which people hated in the past, into a facility welcomed by everyone.

ECOVE has been actively involved in community development for a long time. In 2022, it further integrated the spirit of creating social impact into its corporate culture. Responding to the Group's ESG Award for Sustainable Excellence and Impact, a total of 6 projects were awarded. ECOVE's "Friendly Public Welfare, Overflowing Love" project won an award, calling on colleagues to pay attention to community engagement and environmental education issues. The project involved regular collection of resources, utilizing toys and books frequently used by colleagues, promoting the concept of "maximizing utility and promoting goodness" and creating a shared atmosphere among owners, supply chain contractors, and volunteers. ECOVE's dedication to corporate social responsibility, combined with the creativity and ESG spirit demonstrated by its employees, was highly recognized by the judging panel. ECOVE will continue to strive for excellence based on the award-winning proposals, aiming to make concrete contributions to the sustainable development of the planet.

Neighborliness and integration to communities

As a corporate citizen, ECOVE emphasizes on the interactions with the community and seeks common good with the neighborhoods. Under ECOVE's management, the Linkou Water Resources Center integrates 3C technology with environmental education by introducing a learning-oriented mobile phone microscope. Through interactive games, the public can observe microorganisms in water, learn about wastewater treatment, and cultivate a sense of water resource conservation. Additionally, the Houli EfW Plant, located in the Jiushe community of Taichung, co-organizes the "Jiushe Cultural Festival" annually, which has been held for 19 years. This event combines traditional cultural practices with new environmental concepts, creating a platform for exchange and heritage preservation. It enhances public awareness and interest in local cultural arts while fostering a sense of attachment and cohesion among the local community. The ecologically rich Tainan EfW Plant, located in the vicinity of diverse ecosystems, actively collaborates with the "Chengxi Community Development Association, Annan District, Tainan City" by signing a memorandum of understanding for environmental education cooperation. The plant also hires professional environmental education instructors to assist in the development of environmental ecology and green industries in the Annan District of Tainan City. Through the expertise of these instructors, who have extensive experience in hands-on teaching, participants are taught to create interesting and aesthetically pleasing artworks using simple tools and readily available waste materials in their daily lives. The aim is to stimulate their creativity and cultivate a habit of utilizing and recycling waste materials throughout their daily lives, reducing resource wastage, promoting cultural development, and deepening public concern and attention to local environmental ecology and industrial development. ECOVE not only contributes human and material resources to community involvement but also actively engages employees at all levels, from employees to senior managers, in community activities. For example, they enthusiastically participate in events such as the "Sustainable Environmental Education Green Living Family Fun and Excellent Environmental Volunteer Commendation Ceremony" in Miaoli, the "Sports in Tainan Science Park" event in Tainan Science Park, and the "Colorful Dike Walk and Environmental Protection School Resources Recycling Challenge" in Wurih, revealing the passionate participation of the leadership and employees of ECOVE, along with their families. This demonstrates ECOVE's active integration into the community and their dedication to community engagement. "Public Welfare Fund Million Steps" charity walk event, we can see the enthusiastic participation of both the executive officers and colleagues of ECOVE, accompanied by their families.

Protect community environment and be a good neighbor

ECOVE not only pioneers as a green enterprise but also acts as a good neighbor in the community. It has been committed to maintaining the factory premises and the surrounding environment. Regular and ad hoc road cleaning operations, lawn restoration, and utilization of waste materials for art installations are conducted. In some of the operational sites, such as Keelung EfW Plant, Miaoli EfW Plant, Tainan Science Park EfW Plant, and Tainan EfW Plant, beach cleaning and forest cleaning activities are organized. Although these activities have limited impact on reducing marine and forest litter, they have raised environmental awareness among colleagues and promoted the practice of reducing plastic and avoiding single-use plastics in their daily lives. In 2022, a total of 701 hours of community service were dedicated, and 4 beach cleaning/forest cleaning activities were organized, resulting in the collection of 508 kilograms of trash.

In addition, ECOVE actively utilizes its influence to create a friendly habitat for the purple Crow butterfly. It collaborates with the Taiwan Purple Crow Conservation Association to participate in habitat creation and assist in planting and watering. It also encourages colleagues to join in weed removal and tree planting activities. Through hands-on participation, they gain an understanding of the importance of butterflies in the natural ecosystem, as well as practical skills such as identifying butterfly host plants and nectar sources and cultivating and caring for native plants to maintain the vital habitat of the purple Crow butterfly. Since 2020, ECOVE has actively participated in the initiative "Tamshui River Convention" advocated by CommonWealth Magazine for three consecutive years. They have been actively involved in environmental actions related to the Tamshui River, particularly in the maintenance of wetland environments in Guandu Nature Park. By engaging in practical environmental protection efforts, they aim to give back to society and provide high-quality living environments and urban landscapes for the local communities they operate in. When enterprises draw closer to the society, the role of the enterprises is beyond generating output value, but also creating their own "value". We believe that in time to come, with the participation of corporate partners, greater and stronger energy will be injected into the communities and we can realize a friendly and sustainable development lifestyle for the common good.

Friendly Corporate Volunteers For the Common Good

Friendly charity, concern for the disadvantaged

Employees from ECOVE set up the "Friendly Charity Society" and took the initiative to organize charitable activities. To further emphasize corporate social responsibility on the employees, ECOVE actively cooperates with external parties in practicing "green living" in everyday life.

ECOVE is committed to fulfilling its corporate social responsibility. In 2017, it established the "Friendly Charity Society," which encourages employees to proactively contribute to acts of kindness and share innovative ideas for promoting social welfare. In addition to the ongoing projects continued for six years such as the "Donation of Computer Dreams Come True" project, "Guanyin Loving Home Care and Love," and the "Epidemic Prevention with You - Hypochlorous Acid Water Donation" project, since 2020, we have collaborated with the Step30 international ministries "There Are No Shoes That Can't Be Donated to Save Lives" campaign. This initiative encourages employees to participate in donating used items. In 2022, we expanded our cooperation with external charitable organizations and aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). With ECOVE's core principle of cherishing every resource, we aim to raise awareness among all employees about valuing resources and donate unwanted items to charitable organizations. Through these efforts, we strive to promote a culture of sustainability, fulfill our social responsibilities, and be friendly to the Earth. We organize donation drives specifically for items with shorter lifecycles, such as books and toys. We have formed an alliance with the Sunshine Social Welfare Foundation to invite all employees to participate in a second-hand book donation campaign. This initiative aims to raise awareness among our colleagues about the importance of cherishing resources and encourage a culture of sharing within our team. By partnering with the foundation, we strive to deepen our company's commitment to sustainability and foster a culture of corporate responsibility.

Embracing multiculturalism, cultivating future impact.

In order to enhance cultural content and stimulate cultural economy, in 2022, ECOVE gradually implemented two activities: "Little Sustainable Engineers Camp" and "Promoting Science Popularization through Love and Support for Remote Areas." The goal is to promote local culture globally through the dissemination of cultural economy, thereby boosting the economy and creating a positive cycle for the cultural and creative industries. This will ultimately realize the cultural value of "being more local and more international."

Respond to international initiatives

ECOVE actively connects with external initiatives, with senior executives and personnel serving as initiative ambassadors and leading all personnel to embrace green practices in their daily work. All operating sites respond to international initiatives in promoting energy conservation and carbon reduction, reinforcing personnel's attention on issues such as climate change and ecological environment, etc. On top of that, environmental issues are infused into daily lives through the participation of activities and in view of the global climate change, we emphasize that everyone has the ability and responsibility to change the world, and as long as we put our heart and soul into caring for the land we live in, we can support our planet.

ECOVE actively responds to international initiatives by appointing ambassadors from its subsidiary companies to lead all employees in building corporate citizenship awareness. These ambassadors integrate environmental issues into daily life and also remind colleagues to prioritize epidemic prevention measures.

ECOVE utilizes Global Handwashing Day as an opportunity to remind employees that the first step to maintaining good health is proper handwashing. By emphasizing the importance of hand hygiene, ECOVE aims to protect individuals and prevent the unintentional spread of viruses among colleagues and their families.

ECOVE strives to create a green office environment and promote an eco- friendly workspace. We actively practice green living in our daily lives.