UpdateLogistics leaders join forces to recycle packaging from 31bn parcels
In 2015, 7.5bn plastic bags, 10bn cardboard boxes, and 17bn metres of wrapping tape were used to ship parcels
Cainiao Network, the logistics arm of e-commerce giant Alibaba Group, has established a non-profit foundation in Beijing with several leading logistics companies to promote environmentally-friendly transport services amid concerns over packaging waste.
The Cainiao Green Alliance Foundation will tackle the growing amount of packaging waste related to the country’s e-commerce boom. The bulk of packaging waste often ends up in landfills without being recycled, as the process is often deemed overly expensive.
The newly-established foundation will invest 300 million yuan (US$43.45 million) into research to foster environmentally-friendly practices throughout the logistics supply chain. It will also focus on innovations in packaging, the adoption of clean energy by delivery vehicles and using big data to optimise resources.
“Cainiao Network and Alibaba Group have a responsibility to take the lead in promoting environmental protection and green logistics,” said Judy Tong, chairwoman of Cainiao Network and Alibaba’s chief people officer.
“This effort can only be achieved by joining hands with other partners in the industry as well as contribution from the entire ecosystem that includes the government, logistics companies, merchants and customers.”
This effort can only be achieved by joining hands with other partners in the industry as well as contribution from the entire ecosystem that includes the government, logistics companies, merchants and customers
The foundation is jointly being launched by Cainiao Network, together with six Chinese logistics companies – YTO Express, ZTO Express, STO Express, Yunda Express, Best Logistics and TK Express – as well as the Alibaba Foundation and the China Environmental Protection Foundation (CEPF).