Problems and Solutions for Express

Logistic Packaging

Chenyang Liu and Lijiang Huo

Abstract The paper describes the state-of-the-art of express logistic packaging.

Existing problems are analyzed from packaging structure design, packaging waste
recycling, information security and user experience. The solutions of these prob-
lems are presented in aspects of express packaging low carbon, greening, human-
ization and so on. Finally, the related development of express logistic packaging
was foresighted.

Keywords Express logistic
Logistics packaging
Green packaging
Packaging

countermeasures

1 Introduction

With the increasing development of electronic commerce, the logistics industry has
entered a heyday. By 2014, China’s express delivery business volume has increased
to 15 billion and the total output value is 200 billion yuan [1]. However, along with
the rapid development of the logistics industry, the various problems of the logistics
packaging are also more and more serious. Data shows that the social logistics costs
in developed countries account for about 9% of GDP, while China reached 18% in
2014. In summary, some problems still remain [2, 3].

C. Liu
L. Huo (&)

Light Industry and Chemical Engineering Institute,
Dalian Polytechnic University, Dalian, Liaoning, China
e-mail: lijianghuo@163.com

© Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2017 705

P. Zhao et al. (eds.), Advanced Graphic Communications
and Media Technologies, Lecture Notes in Electrical Engineering 417,
DOI 10.1007/978-981-10-3530-2_88
706 C. Liu and L. Huo

2 Main Problem of Express Logistics Packaging

2.1 Excessive Packaging

Express will inevitably happen to bump in the transportation process. In order to

ensure the safety of the contents, the general express package has reached four
layers, with an average of 0.2 kg of corrugated cardboard packaging to calculate.
3 million tons of corrugated cardboard have been used only in the year of 2014, and
182 thousand tons of among them are due to excessive packaging waste; These
excessive packaging not only increases the cost of logistics, but also waste a great
number of resources.

2.2 Low Recovery and Environmental Pollution

According to statistics, China’s annual packaging waste more than 2 tons, annual
scrap value reached 400 billion yuan, but the recycling rate is less than 40%;
Especially, it is difficult to recycle the express package, due to the difficulties of
recycling and high cost recovery. The polyethylene plastic bag, deep gray nylon
packing bag, and other plastic products used in the process of express logistics are
difficult to degrade in the natural environment. These existing problems have made
the contradiction between express logistics packaging and the natural environment
more and more serious [4].

2.3 Serious User Information Leakage

From the Xinhua news reports, people spend only more than 1000 yuan to buy
1400 express information via the internet. The cases triggered by the leakage of
express information are increasing year by year. A former courier entered a woman
home to rob according to the information on the express orders in Haidian District,
Beijing, May 2016. Some courier employees replace the valuables according to the
insured information on the express orders and infringe the legitimate rights of
consumers.

2.4 Poor Customer Experience

In order to prevent product damage during distribution, the tape is used to a special
multi-layer package. It not only affects the overall appearance, but also causes great
inconvenience to open the outer packaging. In many cases, it is difficult to open the
Problems and Solutions for Express Logistic Packaging 707

package without the use of scissors and other tools, sometimes the content will be
damaged accidentally. These factors have caused the user experience in the receipt
of the parcel is often not very good.

3 Solutions and Countermeasures

3.1 Moderate Packaging

It is necessary to accelerate the courier packaging automation process; the

Robo-Pick researched and developed by the Promat, can pack 2400 packages an
hour, and can greatly reduce the gap between express packaging and products. For
enterprises, Robo-Pick not only can reduce labor costs, improve logistics efficiency,
but also can reduce the occurrence of excessive packaging [5]. Beyond these,
through the improvement of express package structure, it is very helpful to reduce
the use of packaging materials.

3.2 Establish the Corresponding Recycling Mechanism

With the rapid development of China’s express delivery logistics industry, express
waste recycling is becoming more and more important. In addition to the school and
a small number of areas, express in most parts of China are using door-to-door way,
which brings great convenience to the recovery of express package. Zhang and
Liang [6] developed the courier packaging recycling APP, in the campus publicity
and promotion. This not only enhances the students’ awareness of recycling, but
also makes the courier packaging recovery rate significantly improved and provided
a great convenience for the recycling industry. The country should accelerate the
development of express packaging recycling, promote the development of reverse
logistics in China, the express delivery companies should also pay attention to
reverse logistics.

3.3 Green Express Packaging

To promote the delivery of green packaging, packaging products should meet the
3R1D principle. Lightweight (Reduce), that is the delivery process in the express
package can ensure product safety under the premise, as far as possible to reduce
the amount of material, reduce energy consumption. Recyclable (Return) and
reusable (Reuse), refers the courier packaging can be reused or recycled after the
production of recycled products. DAL Silva et al. [7] found that a local company in
708 C. Liu and L. Huo

Brazil to the British transport engine, with Recyclable packaging instead of dis-
posable packaging, 18% reduction in logistics costs. Biodegradable (Degradable),
refers the packaging waste will not form a permanent waste. Degradable packaging
materials is one of the hot spots in the research of green packaging, such as starch
based biodegradable packaging materials, poly lactic acid based biodegradable
plastics. They have been used in the field of food, medicine and other fields. With
the preparation process as well as the efficiency of the improvement in the future,
degradable packaging materials are expected to replace petroleum based plastic
packaging materials [8].

3.4 Improve the Information Interaction Mode

On the one hand, the encrypted two-dimensional code instead of existing express
information is used. Two dimensional code verification technology has the advan-
tages of high flexibility, high error correction, low cost, and it is an effective way to
replace the existing methods [9]. On the other hand, using RFID instead of express
order information can avoid irrelevant personnel to see the personal information on
express delivery, even if the courier is missing. It is necessary to have a professional
equipment to get the information on the courier. With the use of RFID labeling
technology, the courier only need to install the card reader in the reader, the sender’s
identity information can be recorded and recognition, this way can not only protect
the safety of users, but also can reduce the workload of express [10].

3.5 Pay Attention to Express Packaging Brand

and Structure Design

Express package should highlight the electricity supplier or courier brand, and the
higher “face value” in the design, in addition to protect the effectiveness of the
product, which impresses users more deeply and improves their favorability [11].
The packing box designed by Yiside (Fig. 1), in the way of sealing, changes the
traditional adhesive tape sealing, with special double-sided adhesive from the
inside. It not only guarantees the corrugated box appearance, but also can save
the sealing time of 15–70%; The middle part of the zipper design, without any tools
out of the box, as long as a tear can be instantly out of the box, and the box cannot
be recovered once opened. The design enhances its security in the convenience of
users at the same time.
Problems and Solutions for Express Logistic Packaging 709

Fig. 1 Yiside packing box

4 Conclusions

With the progress of science and technology, the improvement of living standards,
people have higher requirements for the express logistics packaging. Conditioned
on the exiting problems and present situations of current express logistics pack-
aging, it is necessary to increase the express packaging in safety, environmental
protection and other aspects of research, while developing new packaging materials
actively, designing more carbon packaging structure to adapt the rapid economic
development and people’s needs.

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