Parcel Delivery SMS to Include Instructions on Paper Waste Sorting

In recent months, the coronavirus outbreak has led to an increase in online shopping transactions and parcel deliveries. (Yonhap)

SEOUL, April 9 (Korea Bizwire) — Text message notifications of parcel delivery will include information on how to sort and throw away waste materials such as paper boxes.

As a growing number of customers are shopping online following the coronavirus outbreak, public and private authorities have teamed up to instruct customers on how to properly sort and recycle waste such as paper boxes typically used for parcel deliveries.

The Ministry of Environment announced that it will sign a voluntary agreement with five logistics firms and 13 online distribution companies on the promotion of proper waste sorting of parcel boxes.

Participating companies will send out text messages to customers to notify them of parcel delivery schedules as well as instructions on how to dispose paper boxes.

Comments such as “remove tape, courier slips, and other non-paper materials from the paper box. Flatten the box before disposal,” will be included in the text message.

Parties to the agreement will also insert instructions in the courier slips.

In recent months, the coronavirus outbreak has led to an increase in online shopping transactions and parcel deliveries.

Statistics Korea reported on April 3 that online shopping transactions reached 11.9 trillion won (US$9.8 billion) in February, up by 24.5 percent from last year.

In the same month, 42.5 million parcels were delivered, up by 31.7 percent from last year, according to the Korea Integrated Logistics Association.

Environmental authorities plan to encourage businesses to cut down the use of packaging materials and promote recycling.

First, they aim to promote the use of eco-friendly packaging materials among distribution companies, and carry out pilot projects to reduce wasteful packaging on a business-to-business (B2B) or business-to-consumer (B2C) level.

Furthermore, they plan to work with local authorities to distribute leaflets on proper ways to sort recyclables.

H. M. Kang (hmkang@koreabizwire.com)