We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Harm of Delivery Packaging on Environment and Improvements
Summary
This paper examines the environmental impacts of excessive delivery packaging waste from the e-commerce boom, calling for packaging reduction, reuse, and use of biodegradable materials. Reducing single-use plastic packaging is one of the most direct ways to decrease the plastic that eventually fragments into microplastics in the environment.
In recent years, environmental problems caused by material production and consumption are attracting more attention. Express delivery packaging is a principal content of them since online shopping is getting more popular. The tendency of wasting resources on delivery packages should be taken seriously. This article summarizes different materials of the delivery package and the harm to the environment of them and accordingly raises several solutions. At present, plastics are the most prominent material of concern in terms of packaging for courier services, as their production and recycling procedures have the most significant negative influence on the environment. The impact of other types of courier packaging materials such as cardboard boxes, woven bags, and others should also not be overlooked. The production, use, and recycling processes of these materials can lead to issues such as microplastic pollution, excessive carbon emissions, and air pollution. Ways to improve and address these issues include using easily recyclable materials, replacing non-biodegradable materials with biodegradable green alternatives, reducing excessive packaging, and implementing relevant regulations and policies. The emphasis on decreasing the negative impact of delivery packages on the environment is significant for sustainable development.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
A Comparative Life Cycle Assessment of Electronic Retail of Household Products
A life cycle assessment of online versus in-store shopping for household and cosmetic products found that parcel delivery has significant environmental impacts depending on packaging choices and delivery logistics. While not focused on microplastics, the study addresses plastic packaging as a key driver of environmental cost.
The role of sustainable packaging in reducing environmental pollution
This review examines how sustainable packaging — using biodegradable materials, reducing excess packaging, and improving recyclability — can reduce environmental pollution. The paper evaluates different sustainable packaging strategies and their effectiveness at reducing plastic waste, which is the primary source of microplastic pollution.
Microplastic Pollution in China, an Invisible Threat Exacerbated by Food Delivery Services
This review examines how the explosive growth of online food delivery services in China is driving a major increase in single-use plastic packaging waste. The resulting plastic pollution contributes to microplastic contamination in urban environments, particularly through packaging that is improperly discarded.
UnPlastic My Food: Plastics in Take-Away Packaging, Consumer Behaviors and Eco-Packaging Possibilities
This report examined the environmental and health problems associated with single-use plastic takeaway food packaging and explored eco-friendly alternatives. Reducing single-use packaging is a key strategy for cutting the volume of plastic that ultimately fragments into microplastics in the environment.
Product Packaging by E-commerce Platforms: Impact of COVID-19 and Proposal for Circular Model to Reduce the Demand of Virgin Packaging
Researchers surveyed e-commerce consumers about packaging waste during COVID-19 and proposed a circular model to reduce virgin packaging demand, estimating that the shift to online shopping generated 2,705 kg of CO2 equivalent per metric tonne of mixed packaging waste — with most households discarding rather than recycling packaging.