Sep 28, 2020|
JD.com Makes Waste Sorting Fun and Rewarding for Beijing Residents
by Hui Zhang
“We throw out trash every day, but it never occurred to me that I could get an ice cream by doing a good job sorting waste,” said a resident surnamed Chen living in the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area (BDA), located in the south of Beijing. Chen used the 1,750 “mung beans” she earned in the past two months as a reward for sorting waste to buy her grandson a Häagen-Dazs ice cream. Her friend redeemed 1,290 “mung beans” for a box of eggs for her family.
Local Residents Exchanging “Mung Beans” for Ice Cream
The “mung bean” is an integral part of a digital waste sorting WeChat mini-program developed by JD to empower residents in BDA to not only comply with China’s new waste sorting regulations, but to have fun and earn points doing so. This initiative is through a cooperation with the BDA starting from September 2019 to implement a digital platform that makes trash sorting effective and convenient.
The program has kicked off with 19 housing communities in the area participating. With the initiative, residents in the BDA are equipped with a digital waste sorting mini-program called “Sorting Space” (分类空间站), and can earn bonus points for sorting their waste correctly. Bonus points can be exchanged for daily necessities via a platform embedded in the mini-program or at the offline bazaars organized randomly by both JD and local housing communities.
Residents involved in the program will be given a small green bucket for their kitchen waste. Each bucket is affixed with a QR code, which is then bundled with each family’s WeChat account. Residents put the buckets in a designated collection area at the entrance of their building, and then someone in the housing compound’s management will scan the QR code on the bucket, weigh the waste and check if it has been sorted correctly. If correct, residents will be allotted bonus points. The program also serves as an education tool to help residents familiarize the regulations – if they sort incorrectly, the WeChat mini-program will guide residents on how to sort the waste correctly.
In addition to the designated buckets for kitchen waste, residents will also receive a reusable bag (also affixed with a QR code) to put their recyclables in. Third party recyclables processing companies will then evaluate the recycled items and grant bonus points to residents.
To involve more residents, JD and local communities organized an offline bazaar in September inviting over 10 brands including Häagen-Dazs and Yili to make it easy for local residents to exchange points for products on site.
“If you build a product to be convenient and fun, consumers will embrace it with open arms,” said a representative of the program at JD. “This is what we’re doing with our trash sorting program – using our technology to make people’s lives easier, and make our communities cleaner.”
This is not JD’s first effort in the waste sorting space. Last year, JD’s AI team developed a solution that enables people to take a photo of the type of waste they have and be guided on how to dispose of it properly. JD Business, JD’s enterprise procurement channel, is providing supplies on its platform (b.jd.com) and leveraging its logistics capabilities to help local companies comply with the recycling policies. In addition, JD also launched the first demonstration park for trash sorting at JD’s Beijing Asia No.1 logistics park including labels with trash disposal guidance for packages, and arrange a special area for trash sorting.
Nov 7, 2024|
CIIE 2024: JD.com to Expand Imports of Specialty Brands, Strengthen Healthcare Partnerships, and Enhance Logistics
At the 7th China International Import Expo (CIIE) on November 5, JD Super, the supermarket division of JD.com, announced a major initiative to broaden its selection of imported specialty. Over the next three years, JD Super plans to introduce over 1,000 new international brands to meet the increasing demand for high-quality, diverse imported goods.
Meeting the Growing Demand for Quality Imports
According to JD Worldwide’s “White Paper on 2024 China Cross-Border Consumption Trends,” more than 80% of Chinese consumers are interested in imported products, with many prioritizing authenticity, quality, and fast delivery. In response, JD has significantly expanded its range of international offerings. During the ongoing Singles’ Day Grand Promotion, sales of cross-border products have surged, with more than 600 brands experiencing a sales increase of over 100% compared to last year.
Strengthening High-Quality Food Partnerships
Demonstrating JD.com’s commitment to sourcing high-quality products, JD Super signed a new procurement agreement at CIIE with Huadong Foods and Teys, a major Australian beef brand under Cargill. Under this agreement, JD Super and Huadong Foods will procure $50 million of Teys beef throughout 2025. This partnership underscores JD’s strategy of collaborating with trusted suppliers to provide high-quality, affordable beef to Chinese consumers.
Delivering Authentic Global Goods Efficiently
JD Logistics has built a robust logistics network that spans bonded, direct mail, and overseas warehouses, facilitating fast deliveries of imported items across categories such as electronics, fashion, beauty, food, and baby products. In many major cities, delivery times have been reduced to under 48 hours.
For instance, JD Super’s partnership with Raub of Malaysia enables the import of Musang King durians, which are harvested at peak ripeness and air-shipped with cold chain logistics for delivery within 24 hours. Additionally, JD.com also secured an early supply of Chilean cherries, available since October, which can be delivered in as little as 30 minutes in many areas through JD NOW, its on-demand retail service.
JD.com’s “JD National Pavilions” program, which features over 150 country-themed flagship stores from more than 70 countries and regions, continues to be a cornerstone of its import strategy. Supported by embassies and reputable organizations, this initiative offers Chinese consumers access to premium products and cultural experiences from around the world. In April, JD launched the JD National Pavilion of Mali, introducing popular items like shea butter and garnering over 40,000 followers.
Expanding Healthcare and Logistics Partnerships
JD Health is also making strides at CIIE by strengthening partnerships with leading global healthcare companies, including Merck, Bayer, and Roche. As “China’s premier online health access point,” JD Health is committed to integrating digital and physical healthcare resources to improve access and convenience for patients.
Key collaborations include initiatives with Haleon to promote brain health and anti-aging for the “silver economy,” with MSD China on a digital diabetes management model, and with Teva Pharmaceuticals to provide patient education for conditions such as tardive dyskinesia (TD) and Huntington’s disease (HD).
On the logistics front, JD Logistics announced plans to double its overseas warehouse space by 2025 and expand its network of bonded and direct mail warehouses. JD Express now serves over 60 countries, enhancing cross-border delivery efficiency and supporting both brands and consumers.
Through these efforts, JD.com reaffirms its commitment to sourcing and delivering authentic, high-quality imported products to Chinese consumers, supported by an advanced supply chain that ensures a superior shopping experience.
(vivian.yang@jd.com)
300,000 kg of Unsalable Kiwi Get a Second Life with JD
