Delivery firms take active role in cutting waste

Delivery companies have been cutting waste since the city's trash-sorting regulations came into effect last July, authorities revealed on Thursday.

About 99 percent of receipts used by major express delivery companies in Shanghai are available in electronic versions, which can save about 1.2 billion A4 paper sheets per year, the Shanghai Postal Administration told a press conference on Thursday.

More than 64 percent of e-commerce parcels in the city have avoided second packaging, which can save 2 billion packaging bags and boxes per year, said Yu Hongwei, deputy director of the administration.

About 88 percent of parcels in the city use adhesive tapes below 45 millimeters wide, which can save 600 million meters of tape annually, according to Yu.

More than 85 percent of bags for transit purposes used by express companies in the city are now recyclable, saving about 1.2 billion disposable plastic woven bags a year, he added.

"A significant effect on recycling and package reduction has been witnessed in the industry," Yu told the press conference.

In addition, more than 1,600 new and clean energy vehicles are used in the industry.

"We are also promoting the green authentication of express delivery packages and the use of green products in the industry," Yu said.

Meanwhile, food delivery platforms Meituan Dianping and Ele.me have introduced a compulsory option on dishware in meal orders, said Liu Min, deputy director of the Shanghai Commission of Commerce, during the press conference.

The number of consumers in Shanghai who choose no-disposable dishware is 60 percent higher than the nation's average on Ele.me, said Liu.

Authorities have also guided 15 fresh food e-commerce companies in Shanghai to use green packages and prevent over-packaging, she said.