"No" to Waste Delivery Food (Online China) Guiding Opinions on Utilizing the Leading and Leading Role of Online Catering Platforms to Effectively Prevent Delivery Food Waste | Platform | Food

The delivery man picked up the take-out order items in a shopping mall store for delivery. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Cheng Min

Xu Junzuo With the improvement of the digital level of the catering industry, the takeaway industry has developed rapidly, and the waste of online catering has attracted increasing attention. The State Administration for Market Regulation and the Ministry of Commerce recently jointly issued the "Guiding Opinions on Giving Full Play to the Leading Role of Online Catering Platforms to Effectively Prevent Waste of Takeaway Food", proposing measures such as improving the mechanism of collecting orders and reducing orders, implementing takeaway food standards, and standardizing platform takeaway distribution services. Compacting the responsibility of the platform and guiding consumers to say "no" to waste on the tip of the tongue ".

Digitalization Helps the Catering Industry

In recent years, the digitalization level of Chinese catering enterprises has been continuously improving, with some launching WeChat mini programs and online flagship stores; Some have introduced smart food safety systems to create smart restaurants; Some have broken through the single supply model of dine in catering, expanded new business models such as online takeout and takeaway pickup, and created more convenient and efficient consumption scenarios.

The continuous expansion of the online catering market brings convenience to consumers in their daily lives, and takeout, as a new way of consumption, has entered millions of households. "Sometimes when I am too busy with work or encounter bad weather, I order takeout, which has become a way of life for many young people," said Zhang Zekai, who often orders takeout.

The "food delivery craze" not only benefits consumers, but also wins development opportunities for businesses. Industry insiders believe that with the restructuring of commercial formats, changes in industry channels, and changes in consumer habits, the food delivery economy driven by food delivery platforms will become a new driving force for the sustained growth of China's consumer market.

"Overordering" deserves attention

As the "food delivery economy" heats up, the waste phenomenon behind it also needs to be vigilant. Mr. Zhao, who works in garbage recycling in Shanghai, said that there is often unfinished takeout in the trash can. It is common to eat half and throw half, and some milk tea and coffee are thrown away after just a few sips. "These wastes are heartbreaking.".

When conducting research on the takeout ordering market, market regulatory authorities have found that many consumers have ordered too much due to promotional activities such as discounts and orders, resulting in food and beverage waste. Some food delivery merchants have set a minimum delivery price, and in order to make up for it, many consumers have to place orders in excess. "Most merchants start with around 20 yuan for delivery, and some even start with 50 yuan for delivery. It is necessary to order enough quantity before delivery, and consumers often order too much, which makes it difficult to save and waste." Ms. Song, a netizen, said that discounts and takeout red envelopes have become the "standard" for ordering takeout, and various promotional activities often make oneself "unable to resist ordering more and more".

Jing Linbo, president of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences Evaluation, believes that the catering industry actively embraces the Internet, speeds up digitization, and provides more convenient delivery services, which is conducive to promoting industry development, better meeting consumer needs, and avoiding unnecessary waste caused by excessive ordering. "The proportion of takeout in catering sales is increasing, and the phenomenon of online catering waste should be given sufficient attention."

Multiple parties working together to promote industry development

To reduce waste, merchant platforms work together to actively guide consumers. After market research, Quanjude roast duck Store in Beijing began to work hard on "small" dishes, launched a series of small dishes on the takeaway platform, and added "Roast Duck Exclusive Meal". Enable consumers to enjoy delicious food alone, thereby avoiding waste. The delivery rate of Domino's Pizza reaches 80%, and a series of measures have been taken to eliminate waste. On the ordering page, not only is the weight of the meal clearly marked, but also the main ingredients, ingredients, flavors, etc. are clearly indicated.

Online catering platforms are connected to businesses at one end and consumers at the other. Strengthening platform responsibilities will have a positive effect on curbing online catering waste. Recently, the Guiding Opinions on Utilizing the Leading and Driving Role of Online Catering Platforms to Effectively Prevent Takeout Food Waste responded to the issue of online catering waste, proposed to enhance the civilized consumption awareness of merchants and consumers on the platform, form a good social trend of practicing thrift and opposing waste, and promote the standardized and healthy development of the online catering industry.

The "Guiding Opinions" propose to guide the platform to further optimize the protocol rules, improve the mechanism of reducing orders to the maximum, implement food delivery standards, and standardize the platform's food delivery services. Strengthen the compliance guidelines for merchants within the platform, encourage the platform to establish anti waste records for merchants, guide merchants to set up small meal product zones, use green packaging, and strengthen positive guidance for merchants through prominent display on the homepage and traffic support.

Industry insiders point out that catering platforms have great potential in curbing food waste, and should further play a leading role in platform demonstration, promote the establishment of a sound long-term mechanism for preventing food waste in takeout, and promote high-quality development of the catering industry.

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