Chongqing- Whether the parcels' environmentally-friendly packaging has become a major concern, and packaging sustainability is now a priority worldwide.
Online shopping has become everyone's habit, allowing consumers to buy goods or services via the Internet directly. Behind the increasingly convenient logistics industry, countless parcels are shuttled daily in urban communities.
A European Union (EU) report shows that between 2009-2019, recyclable packages made from paper and cardboard comprised the bulk of package waste, followed by plastic and glass.
The couriers work at the SF Express Chongqing Shapingba Xinqiao Express Operation Point. (iChongqing file photo)
Ban on non-biodegradable plastic bags
China's future development direction focuses more on high-quality and sustainable development, according to the report to the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC).
A few days ago, China's State Post Bureau issued a new regulation: by the end of 2025, non-degradable plastic bags, plastic tapes, and disposable plastic woven bags will be banned nationwide in the postal delivery network.
As early as 2017, the country introduced a series of policies related to express packaging, which clarified that the express industry's packaging should be green, reduced, and recyclable.
Statistics show, by the end of September, a total of 9.78 million recyclable courier boxes had been put in, 122,000 recycling devices had been installed at the postal express business collection and delivery outlets, and 640 million corrugated boxes were recycled and reused. The industry's procurement and use of standard packaging materials and operations reached 90%.
The delivery staff delivered food to customers. (iChongqing file photo)
RFID environmental protection bags
Following the policies, a Chongqing courier services company issued regulations to make parcels more environmentally friendly. This involves promoting the use of green bags, biodegradable bags, etc. During the transit process, the company encourages using easy-to-use and recyclable environmental protection bags at various transfer centers and outlets.
When training couriers, the company required them to implement simple packaging, prevent excessive packaging of express shipments, and use the RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) environmental protection bags. Also, the courier must guide customers to use their packaging reasonably. Before picking up parcels, the courier shall ask about the content and size of items, selecting suitable packaging to reduce waste.
RFID environmental protection bags have been piloted in some places like Shanghai, Zhejiang, Jiangsu, and Anhui. Compared with the original ecological bags, the new ones are lighter in weight, while the addition of identifiable positioning chips can significantly save labor costs. In 2021, the number of RFID environmental protection bags circulated nearly 9 million with a 90% utilization rate.
The company said they are actively promoting green environmental protection in Chongqing, covering most of its outlets with express green recycling boxes and managing special personnel to encourage the use of environmental protection bags. In the future, efforts will be made in multiple aspects to make express parcels green in the city.