Authorities in East China's Zhejiang province recently issued the "Zhejiang Food Delivery Plastic Zero Waste Program" to promote the reduction and recycling of plastic used in food delivery.

The plan specifies that by the end of 2023, a "zero waste" operational model for food delivery plastics should be established in key areas such as universities.

By the end of 2025, this model should be actively promoted in various areas, including schools, commercial buildings, and communities.

According to the plan, Zhejiang will bring together various stakeholders, including food delivery platforms, merchants, university representatives, disposal enterprises, restaurant associations, and recycling associations, to jointly establish a province-wide alliance for reducing plastic in food delivery.

Simultaneously, the alliance will release a list of companies producing alternative products to replace plastic in food delivery.

Zhejiang will also set up waste collection facilities in areas with high amounts of plastic waste from food delivery. For instance, food delivery platform companies will be responsible for appropriately configuring collection facilities in areas with a significant amount of plastic waste, such as university dormitories and cafeterias, with universities managing the later operation and maintenance of these facilities.

Furthermore, the plan explicitly supports the development of plastic alternatives and projects for the recycling of waste plastics.