FIRST LOOK: How does a green takeaway get from stove to table?

Green takeaway, from stove to table (new economic direction)

　　Using your fingers to order takeout has become the first choice for many people to solve their meal problem. Data from the China Internet Network Information Center shows that in 2023, the number of online takeout users will reach 535 million, accounting for 49.6% of the total Internet users. It is of great significance for the whole society to strictly practice conservation and oppose waste, promote low-carbon concepts in all aspects of takeout activities, and reduce the impact of takeout activities on the environment.

　　The recommended national standard "Green Takeaway Management Specifications" (hereinafter referred to as the "Specifications") will be released and implemented at the end of 2023, providing guidance for the industry to carry out green takeaway service management. How does a green takeaway go from stove to table? How does a takeaway lunch box turn from garbage into a resource? The reporter conducted follow-up observations on innovations such as environmental protection, resource conservation, low-carbon recycling, and recycling in takeout activities.

Customers order food——

Prompt “order in moderation” and encourage “no cutlery required”

　　"The set meal recommended by the takeout app today is good!" It was lunch time in Beiqijia Town, Changping District, Beijing. Zhou Lei, who was working in the office building TBD (Technology Business District) Gathering Center, took out her mobile phone and placed an order skillfully.

　　"Shredded fish-flavored pork, stir-fried shredded potatoes, a bowl of rice, and a portion of tomato and egg drop soup. The quantity is not large but the variety is enough, so you don’t waste it when you eat it." Zhou Lei said, confirming "no need" in the "must select when placing an order" "Tableware (environmental protection list)", she prepared a set of stainless steel tableware in the office. "Firstly, it is easier to use. Secondly, it saves money on disposable tableware for every meal, and it is more environmentally friendly."

　　From the perspective of green takeout management optimization, the "Specifications" propose that takeout meal operating companies and takeout service platforms should strengthen reminders for consumers to order appropriate meals and encourage consumers to reduce the use of disposable tableware. Liu Jin, director of the Meituan Standardization Research Center, said that the platform prompts consumers to "order in moderation" throughout the ordering process, incorporates environmental protection clauses into merchant agreements, and establishes rules to strengthen the execution and control of "no tableware orders". Through interactive design, reward feedback and other settings, environmental protection concepts such as "reducing the use of disposable tableware" are embedded in product design and operation.

　　Data shows that since the "no tableware required" function was launched in 2017, as of December 2023, 410 million consumers have participated in takeout industry-related actions, and a cumulative carbon reduction of more than 226,000 tons has been achieved. According to estimates, consumers who click on the "no cutlery required" option can save an average of 38 grams of carbon each time.

Merchant production——

Develop "small portion dishes" and launch "small portion rice"

　　Zhou Lei’s order was a small set meal, totaling 24.9 yuan. “Normally, a single order of shredded potatoes costs 26 yuan.”

　　The one that offers set meals is Hongzhuangyuan Porridge Huangping Road store. Store manager Zhou Guowei said: "We found that the ordering needs of office workers at noon on weekdays are very different from the ordering needs of customers at home in the evening. Therefore, the store has specially developed a 'two dishes and one soup' set meal for one person on weekdays. They are all small dishes, totaling about 20 yuan.”

　　In 2023, the China Restaurant Association and takeout platforms will launch a series of activities called "Small-portion Rice to Help Food Saving" to encourage merchants to optimize the supply of staple food. Participating merchants such as Quanjude, Mr. Rice, Yunhai Cuisine, Laoxiang Chicken, Meizhou Dongpo and other participating merchants provide rice, steamed buns and other staple foods in approximately 150-200 grams, which is 1/2-2/3 of the regular portion.

　　In the production process of takeaway meals, the "Specifications" put forward "green" requirements for the procurement of meal raw materials, meal processing, cooking and restaurant operations. For example, we can improve water and energy utilization efficiency, properly handle waste and pollutants, reduce food waste in all aspects, and provide safe food.

　　Jollibee (China) Catering Management Co., Ltd. operates hundreds of restaurants such as Yonghe King, Hongzhuangyuan, and Tim Ho Wan. Tong Jiquan, the company's senior director of food delivery digitalization, said: "In the daily management of the restaurant, we use the reduction of food loss as an assessment indicator, and develop a system to control semi-finished product loss reporting, finished product loss reporting, yield rate, employee catering, etc. Really achieve energy saving, consumption reduction and cost control.”

Food supply——

Optimize food delivery routes and provide environmentally friendly packaging

　　Takeaway rider Liu Chuang walked into the Huangping Road store of Hong Zhuang Yuan Xian Porridge and took away Zhou Lei’s food. "I will give priority to the delivery routes planned by the platform system, and the delivery distance is basically 3-5 kilometers." Liu Chuang said, "Office building orders are concentrated on weekdays, and the platform will give drop-in orders. I went to another restaurant to pick up food first. , and will be sent to the TBD Gathering Center together in a moment."

　　In terms of takeout delivery, the "Specifications" require the selection of reasonable routes, scientific equipment, and reduction of energy consumption. It is understood that the order allocation algorithms of many food delivery platforms will conduct a global analysis of rider, order, merchant and other information, make matching decisions, and try their best to select riders who have ample time to deliver orders and are more convenient. The platform has also set up an abnormal reporting function for riders. Riders can report abnormal situations to help the platform optimize relevant information, thereby further optimizing the reasonable route and time for order delivery.

　　In terms of takeout packaging, the "Specifications" require the provision of safe, environmentally friendly, and reduced takeout packaging forms and materials. Xintianli Technology Co., Ltd. is mainly engaged in the production of disposable lunch boxes. According to Ren Junbin, director of the market product center, the company uses new food-grade polypropylene materials to process and manufacture lunch boxes, and uses paper-plastic combination technology to add outer paper sleeves and thin plastics. The design of the inner bowl reduces the use of plastic. At the same time, an easy-to-tear structure is used between the paper sleeve and the plastic inner bowl, making it easier to sort and recycle.

　　Jin Yong, vice president of the China Restaurant Association, believes that in the face of the ever-expanding takeout market, it is of great significance to guide consumers to order moderately and form a green lifestyle, and to promote catering companies to establish a green and environmentally friendly supply chain system and reduce the use of packaging.

Garbage disposal——

Sort takeout lunch boxes and recycle resources

　　After the lunch rush hour, Luo Bingzhen, a cleaning staff member at the TBD Gathering Center, sorted out the takeout lunch boxes and put them into the special recycling bin for lunch boxes. At the end of the work day, he has to gather the special recycling bins into the transfer area, contact the recycler through the mobile app, and send them to the renewable resource recycling and sorting center for unified processing.

　　Special recycling bins for lunch boxes are jointly set up by the office property management company and Beijing Guangli Fuyuan Recycling Resource Recycling Market Co., Ltd. In the sorting center of Guangli Fuyuan Company, bags of lunch boxes and tableware pass through the sorting assembly line and are classified into white lunch boxes, colored lunch boxes, paper-plastic composite lunch boxes, milk tea cups, wooden chopsticks, etc., each with its own destination. . For example, plastic lunch boxes are packed and compressed and finally transported to downstream waste recycling companies for recycling and granulation. According to calculations, every kilogram of recycled plastic can reduce carbon emissions by 42.8% compared to virgin plastic.

　　In terms of garbage disposal, the "Specifications" require the implementation of garbage classification and scientific disposal of garbage. Li Haoran, general manager of Guangli Fuyuan Company, said: "Takeaway lunch boxes mixed with kitchen waste will affect the use of food waste for composting and other resource processing. However, takeaway lunch boxes that have been effectively recycled can be recycled and become Bicycle fenders, business cards, sportswear, etc., return to the commodity market to reduce the amount of plastic entering the terminal waste end."

　　The "Specifications" clarify that the implementation of green takeout management means promoting low-carbon concepts in all aspects of takeout activities, promoting environmental protection, resource conservation, low-carbon recycling and recycling, and reducing the impact of takeout activities on the environment. Jin Yong said: “This is an important way to comply with green and reduction development and promote the concept of green consumption.”

　　Lin Lili (People's Daily)