In recent years, China's postal industry has achieved leapfrog development, and the scale of its express delivery business ranks first in the world. At the same time, problems such as resource consumption and environmental pollution caused by mail and express packaging have become increasingly prominent.

Recently, the "Measures for the Administration of Mail and Express Packaging" (hereinafter referred to as the "Measures") came into effect, clarifying that express delivery companies should use environmentally friendly materials to package mail and express in accordance with regulations, and give priority to reusable and recyclable packaging. So, will express packaging become more expensive after becoming "green"? Recently, reporters conducted an investigation and interview.

Packaging becomes "green"

The "Measures" also clearly stated that it is necessary to optimize mail and express packaging, reduce the use of packaging materials, and actively recycle packaging materials. Encourage express delivery companies to purchase and use packaging materials that have passed green product certification.

The "Measures" also detailed the requirements for packaging operations, including the formulation of operating specifications, training of practitioners, packaging operation methods, and packaging recycling and reuse. It is stipulated that delivery enterprises shall carry out packaging operations reasonably according to the nature, size and weight of the items in the mail and express delivery in accordance with the principles of environmental protection and economy, prevent excessive packaging, do not wrap too much tape, and try to reduce the number of packaging layers, void ratio and fillers.

The reporter learned from SF Express and other express delivery companies that they are currently promoting or planning to promote electronic waybills, narrow tapes, express delivery baskets that replace woven bags, as well as recycling transit bags and gas bubble fillers to make express delivery packaging more "green".

"Now filling out express delivery orders online by ourselves not only saves paper, but also saves us trouble. The tape is narrower and not wrapped again and again like before." SF Express courier Xiao Wei told reporters.

The "Measures" issued this time not only have various requirements, but also corresponding penalty standards. For example, it is stipulated that if the packaging operations of mail and express delivery obviously exceed the packaging requirements of the items in the mail and express delivery, the postal administration department shall order rectification and may impose a fine of more than 1,000 yuan but less than 5,000 yuan.

People are worried about possible price increases

Green packaging has become a trend, and many consumers have expressed their approval.

"Even if you buy a lipstick online, it is wrapped with three layers of tape inside and outside, and it takes a long time to cut it with scissors. Now environmentally friendly packaging is very good." Ms. Shao, a consumer in Beijing, told reporters.

Environmentally friendly packaging also reduces the time for garbage cleaning. "The things I bought are obviously not big, but I received a big box. The volume of the sundries filled in it is larger than the goods. I live on the 6th floor and there is no elevator. It is very inconvenient to clean up these packaging garbage." A consumer complained to reporters.

But many consumers are skeptical about whether the price of express delivery will increase if all environmentally friendly materials are packaged.

Xiao Zhao, who lives in Haidian District, Beijing, told reporters: "There are fewer and fewer plastic bags in the post office, and more and more cartons are used for packaging. A medium-sized carton costs several yuan or even more than ten yuan, which is sometimes close to the cost of express delivery. This time China promotes environmentally friendly express packaging, and prices may also increase."

The reporter learned that some more environmentally friendly packaging materials are more expensive than ordinary packaging materials. Compared with ordinary express cartons, tape-free express cartons are indeed two or three times more expensive, or even more, and the market price of degradable plastic packaging products is generally about 1.5 times that of ordinary plastic packaging products.

However, some media reported that the recent express delivery costs of express delivery companies such as SF Express and YTO Express have not fluctuated due to the implementation of the new regulations. According to the reporter's interviews with some consumers, they also said that major express delivery companies have not raised prices recently.

Industry insiders believe that green and environmentally friendly express packaging materials may further increase costs. Popularizing recyclable products or reducing repeated packaging through technological means and improving the efficiency of packaging materials will become the main way for express delivery companies to cope with the rising cost of packaging materials.

The "green" standard needs to be refined and implemented

In the view of Chen Zhongyun, a professor at China University of Political Science and Law, the full implementation of the "Measures" highlights the government's efforts in environmental protection. However, green environmental protection still needs to be combined with the current development reality and consumer experience feedback. For example, less tape, if some products are fragile, specific analysis is required for specific situations. The "Measures" will impose penalties on excessive packaging, and the excessive standards must also be clearly defined.

Some analysts believe that compared with developed countries, the environmental protection standards for packaging are stricter and the penalties are heavier. China's express delivery industry needs to improve its industry governance capabilities, accelerate the green transformation of mail and express packaging, promote enterprises to fulfill their main responsibilities, and strengthen legal protection. In addition, it is necessary to actively guide e-commerce customers to package reasonably, and educate and train front-line express delivery practitioners.

The reporter learned that in order to effectively implement the provisions of the "Measures" and do a good job in excessive packaging governance, the postal administration officially launched a special governance of excessive packaging in April, and promoted the promulgation of the "Requirements for Express Industry to Limit Excessive Packaging" industry standard, and further refined the basis for the identification of excessive packaging in combination with the actual situation of the industry.

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