'Green drive' to clean up express delivery sector

Departments pledge to boost promotion of recycling, standardized practices and eco-friendly materials

The central government has ratcheted up measures to promote green packaging in the express delivery sector by encouraging standardized industry practices, the use of more eco-friendly materials and the development of recycling facilities.

China's mammoth e-commerce sector, which recorded total sales of 10 trillion yuan ($1.52 trillion) last year, has given rise to a booming express delivery industry, with plastic bags, cardboard boxes and adhesive tape creating a major trash problem.

A guideline published on Dec 14 by eight central government departments, including the National Development and Reform Commission and the State Post Bureau, pledged accelerated efforts to promote the green transformation of the express delivery sector.