Why is the generation of packaging waste from express deliveries a major problem?

Sci Total Environ. 2022 Jul 15:830:154759. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.154759. Epub 2022 Mar 23.

Abstract

The rapid growth of the express delivery industry resulted in the explosion of packaging waste with a wide range of direct and indirect environmental consequences. Until recently, little attention was given to this topic, but e-commerce and the associated growth of packaging waste exploded with the COVID-19 pandemic. Even though the phenomenon is only little to moderately documented, the waste problems in express delivery are recognized and caused by excessive packaging, lack of recyclability of the packaging material, and the low motivation of consumers to recycle. Key research, policy, and educational actions to reduce the environmental impacts of the fast-growing express delivery industry are discussed in this short discussion article.

Keywords: E-commerce; Environmental impact; Express delivery; LCA; Packaging waste; Plastic waste.

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19
  • Commerce
  • Humans
  • Pandemics
  • Product Packaging
  • Recycling
  • Waste Management*