外賣污染(wàimài wūrǎn):Takeout-generated pollution

Chongqing Green Volunteer Union, an environmental protection NGO, recently filed a public interest litigation against three major takeout meal delivery companies－Baidu, Ele.me and Meituan－for wasting resources and damaging the environment.

The takeout sector has grown at an incredibly rapid pace in recent years. Many even highlight its importance in China's economic growth. It has not only made people's life more convenient, but also changed their consumption habit.

But it has also created many problems, the most important being environmental pollution. Most of the plastic bags and boxes used to pack the foods, and the accompanying tableware are not biodegradable, and tons of them end up in garbage dumps every day.

Media reports say that last year the takeout sector's revenue reached 166.2 billion yuan ($25.93 billion), up 33 percent year-on-year. Online takeout food delivery platforms receive about 20 million orders a day, which means at least 200 million plastic boxes, bags and tableware are discarded every day.

Takeout food delivery companies are urged to take measures to use eco-friendly bags and boxes to pack foods, and consumers are advised to reduce the use of nonbiodegradable containers and bags to protect the environment.