Chongqing Unveils Green Packaging Plan for Express Delivery: 85% of E-commerce Parcels to Skip Secondary Packaging by 2022

As Double 11 approaches, the surge in parcel volumes is putting the spotlight back on packaging waste.

On November 2, the Chongqing Development and Reform Commission published a notice on its official website concerning the Implementation Opinions of Chongqing Municipality on Accelerating the Green Transformation of Express Packaging (the “Opinions”), setting out a “Chongqing plan” for greener express packaging.

The Opinions map a two-stage transition: by 2022, 85% of Chongqing’s e-commerce express parcels should avoid secondary packaging; by 2025, the green transformation will be basically achieved, secondary packaging eliminated, and recyclable express packaging use will reach 100,000 units.

In stage one, by 2022, Chongqing aims to put in place an incentive-and-constraint mechanism for express packaging governance. Standardized e-commerce and express delivery management will be broadly adopted, the share of e-commerce express parcels without secondary packaging will hit 85%, and recyclable express packaging applications will reach 70,000 units.

By 2025, the municipality plans to establish a long-term governance mechanism covering the entire express packaging chain—production, use, recycling and disposal. E-commerce express parcels will essentially no longer need secondary packaging, recyclable express packaging applications will reach 100,000 units, and new models and business formats for packaging reduction and green recycling will make significant progress, with green transformation basically completed.

To deliver these goals, the Opinions set out a series of concrete measures.

On green governance, Chongqing will pursue source reduction in express packaging materials. The city will phase out non-degradable plastic packaging bags and disposable plastic woven bags, cut back on non-degradable plastic tape, and promote low-grammage, high-strength express cartons and glue-free cartons. It will also push for full electronic waybill coverage and substantially raise the use of recyclable transfer bags (boxes), standardized pallets and container unit appliances.

To curb disposable plastic foam boxes, the Opinions encourage recyclable, foldable express packaging, reusable delivery boxes and reusable refrigerated express boxes in same-city fresh food delivery and bulk-cargo logistics for chain supermarkets.

For e-commerce parcels, the plan calls for less secondary packaging by strengthening coordination across e-commerce firms, express operators and product manufacturers, so that e-commerce packaging is designed for logistics and delivery. Selected product categories will pilot original-package direct shipping, integrated packaging and minimalist packaging, reducing secondary wrapping during shipping.

On standardization, Chongqing will promote standardized, serialized and modular express packaging products with better fit to shipped goods, avoiding oversized boxes for small items and arbitrary packaging. E-commerce and express companies will be banned from using inferior bags with excessive heavy metals or solvent residues, as well as fillers made from toxic or harmful materials. Where violations are prominent, special rectification will target producers of toxic or harmful inferior express packaging and the e-commerce and express firms that use them.

For express delivery companies, irregular sorting, delivery and packaging operations will be added to the industry’s random inspection catalogue. The aim is to tackle passive over-packaging, keep public complaint and reporting channels open, and standardize last-mile parcel delivery.

To expand recyclable express packaging, district and county governments are instructed to align with smart city and smart community development and plan shared express delivery terminals and recyclable packaging recovery facilities in communities, universities, business centers and other sites. Such facilities should also be supported during urban renewal, existing housing upgrades and old residential area renovation. At the same time, under national arrangements, qualified districts and counties will run pilot demonstrations for large-scale use of recyclable express packaging.

——Source: China Packaging Network (pack.cn). Original link: http://news.pack.cn/show-378595.html