China has introduced new regulations to promote sustainable packaging in its rapidly growing express delivery sector, coinciding with a peak period for online shopping.
The updated rules, effective from June 1, aim to reduce packaging waste and environmental impact in a market handling billions of parcels annually.
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New packaging rules target waste reduction and pollution
The revised courier regulations include a specific chapter dedicated to packaging standards. These guidelines require minimising material use, avoiding excessive wrapping, and curbing pollution caused by delivery packaging.
This marks the first time the Chinese government has codified detailed environmental requirements for the express delivery industry’s packaging practices.
China’s parcel volume surged to over 175 billion in 2024, an increase of more than 21 percent compared with the previous year. The rapid expansion has heightened concerns over the resulting packaging waste, making green packaging solutions an urgent priority for the sector.
Innovations in green packaging materials and supply chains
Efforts to improve packaging sustainability are visible across multiple regions. In Zhejiang Province, a packaging manufacturer uses entirely recycled cardboard to create corrugated paper through a closed-loop recycling process.
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By GlobalDataSimilarly, a company in Anhui Province has developed fully biodegradable adhesive tape, now produced at industrial scale.
Logistics firms are also adopting more efficient packaging methods.
For example, JD Logistics in Hangzhou ships many products in their original manufacturer packaging, reducing the need for secondary wrapping. This shift has cut over one billion pieces of additional packaging in 2024 alone.
Growing consumer participation and future outlook
Consumer involvement in green packaging is increasing, with recycling initiatives at locations such as Zhejiang University’s mail station where up to 90 percent of used boxes are reused.
Digital tools track environmental contributions, encouraging sustainable behaviour through carbon credit incentives.
The State Post Bureau has pledged to accelerate the adoption of packaging standards and support innovation in eco-friendly products and business models.
These measures aim to drive a comprehensive green transition across China’s express delivery industry, spanning production, logistics, and recycling processes.
