New Beijing Regulations on Food Delivery Packaging Released; Effective September 1

Beijing Officially Releases "Guidelines for the Use of Green Packaging by Food Delivery Merchants"

This standard will officially come into effect on September 1, 2026. As the nation's first local standard specifically targeting the use of green packaging by food delivery merchants, the Guidelines provide clear, actionable technical instructions based on four key principles: safety, waste reduction, recyclability or biodegradability, and reusability. They also offer a "Beijing solution" for the "green streamlining" of food delivery packaging nationwide.

Tailored Approaches to Precisely Balance Environmental and Practical Needs

Given the wide variety and diverse characteristics of food delivery items, the Guidelines—informed by market research—categorize food packaging into "simple packaging" and "sealed packaging," thereby balancing practical requirements with environmental goals.

Regarding sealed packaging, the Guidelines specify that plastic stretch film should not be used to seal items served at room temperature, low temperatures, or frozen temperatures unless necessary; for high-temperature foods requiring a seal, narrow-width edge-sealing film may be used sparingly. For beverages, the Guidelines recommend using easy-to-separate sealing paper based on temperature, facilitating subsequent waste sorting and processing.

For simple packaging, the Guidelines offer specific recommendations for different food items: steamed buns and flatbreads can be packaged in bags;

packaging layers should be minimized for items like hamburgers, sandwiches, and hot dogs; paper boxes are recommended for pizzas and cakes; and dishes such as stir-fries and rice bowls should use containers with lids but without airtight seals;

barbecue items can be wrapped directly in aluminum foil and placed in a sealing bag; biodegradable materials should be used for fried pastries and deep-fried foods; and compartmented packaging is suitable for dumplings and sushi.

Fostering Ecological Civilization and Promoting Green Lifestyles

The implementation of this standard will significantly advance the reduction of food delivery containers and the recycling of packaging materials. It will effectively curb the generation of delivery-related waste, encourage the industry to adopt comprehensive conservation practices, and further foster low-carbon, eco-friendly lifestyles across society.

As the nation's first green packaging guideline for food delivery merchants, this standard offers a valuable model for other cities and steers the industry toward a green, low-carbon, and sustainable transformation.