Taipei  - Taipei is to ban free, disposable chopsticks from 24-hour shops and supermarkets, an official said Saturday.

The Taipei City Government said that starting later this month, several 24-hour convenience shop and supermarket chains will stop giving away disposable chopsticks with packed food, lunch boxes and instant noodles.

Participants in the campaign are 7-Eleven, Family Mark, Circle K and Hi-Life 24-hour shop chains as well as three supermarket chains - Wellcome, Matsusei and Pxmart.

"These shops and supermarkets are taking the lead. We hope other shops, restaurants and roadside food stalls can follow suit and stop using disposable chopsticks," said Su Fen-hui, from the city government's environmental protection bureau, said.

According to the Environmental Protection Administration (EPA), Taiwan residents use 5 to 6 billion pairs of disposable wooden or bamboo chopsticks every year, creating five tons of garbage.

EPA has urged shops and supermarkets to stop giving away disposable chopsticks and called on restaurants to stop using them.

Taiwan residents are urged to carry "environmentally friendly" foldable chopsticks as they are cleaner and can be re-used. (dpa)