Rising tide of parcel deliveries poses possible pollution threat

'Green' packaging

The pollution risk posed by packaging is attracting growing public attention, which has led many companies to alter their approach to recycling and start using environmentally-friendly materials. Meanwhile, governments at all levels have released policies aimed at promoting greener packaging.

Liu Hongbin, vice-president of YHD, an express delivery company, said his company began collecting undamaged cardboard boxes from customers in 2014.

Zhu, from the research center in Qingdao, suggested improving the recycling system and reducing excessive packaging through coordinated efforts by the companies involved.

"A single courier company cannot afford the increased costs, so it's time to facilitate the classification of garbage to ensure that dumped plastic bags can be dealt with properly, instead of being burned," he said.

A number of major online shopping platforms, such as JD.com, Suning and Yihaodian, have already established systems for that reward customers who recycle by offering purchase points and discounts.

Moreover, in June, the Cainiao Network initiated a program with 32 domestic and global companies, including many logistics outfits, to promote packaging made from biodegradable or recycled materials, according to Tong Wenhong, the network's head.

The program aims to make half of the parcels generated by online shopping platforms 100 percent biodegradable by 2020, which could reduce carbon emissions by 3.62 million tons over the period.

In addition to the efforts being made by businesses, the central and local governments have also issued policies to encourage the green-packaging trend.

In August, State Post issued a guideline which stipulated that packaging materials containing toxic elements, which are often found in plastic bags, will be outlawed by 2020 to reduce pollution.

On Jan 3, the State Council, China's Cabinet, introduced the Extended Producer Responsibility Implementation Plan, a program designed to promote recycling, which encourages factories to take part in the recycling process, with a particular focus on cardboard boxes and tin cans.

Chang, from Yingchuang Recycling, believes that recycling is an unavoidable responsibility for manufacturers, retailers and delivery companies: "It's time to build a system of reverse logistics, helping factories and recycling plants to collect packaging materials from households."

Meng Zhe contributed to this story.

Contact the writer at zhengjinran@chinadaily.com.cn