We released our “Sustainable Paper and Packaging Policy” in 2012 in order to enhance the sustainability of global forest ecosystems, and in 2022, it evolved to become Acer Group’s “Product Packaging and Forest Conservation Policy”. Acer understands that deforestation will seriously impact the stability of the forest ecosystem, and we recognize and appreciate the efforts taken with our suppliers and partners to conserve forest ecosystems. Acer prohibits all business relationships with suppliers that are involved in deforestation and illegal logging. We only permit the sourcing of supplies from non-controversial sources and responsibly managed forests. We maintain forest productivity through reforestation where appropriate and work with relevant stakeholders toward the goal of ending deforestation in the supply chain.
Acer incorporates the below principles to strengthen the responsibility of our products and operations. We also encourage our suppliers and partners to adopt the same principles to promote the conservation effects of the whole value chain:
Acer’s packaging is designed around the concepts of limited resources and suitability, and as such, since 2016, we have been planning reductions in the size of our product boxes and the scale of our packaging. As part of this, we continually work on reducing our usage of iron, plastic, and paper. With regard to reducing packaging for notebook computers, we have taken the further step of eschewing paper quick start guide for high end product lines in 2021, instead putting digital versions on our website for consumer reference. All that remains is a single product poster to keep minimum use of paper.
We are also removing single-use plastic bags from power and charging cables. This went into action in 2020 with our new ConceptD products and the tender case of TravelMate line in Europe. In 2021, this has been expanded further to encompass all new TravelMate products.
As for desktops, the Vero series of mini desktops use cardboard boxes for the accessory outer packaging, reducing the use of plastics.
The vast majority of product packaging becomes waste after it has finished its job of protecting the product(s) within.Acer carefully considers the materials we use in our packaging, with packaging design emphasizing recyclability and making use of easily recyclable materials a priority.
In 2021, we changed our manual packaging for our notebook computers from PE shrink film to paper envelope bags using 60%+ recycled paper. The Vero series of desktop replacement notebooks use recycled PET for the main unit bag, recycled molded-pulp paper for the cushioning material, and kraft paper bags for documents and manuals rather than plastic wrapping.
Every day, tens of thousands of Acer products make their way to consumers' hands. Acer strives to reduce the volume and weight of our packaging, thus improving transportation efficiency and reducing the fuel consumed in the course of transport. This helps further reduce the carbon emissions generated during transport, while also reducing the overall cost of that transport.
In 2021, due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the proportion of global shipping of products accounted for by sea freight decreased by 6.9%, air freight increased by 5.7%, and rail freight increased by 1.3% compared to 2020. Shipping of notebook computers by rail from Chongqing to Europe increased by 47% for a total on shipping costs of US$68.576 million.
In addition, we worked closely with our logistics partners to further optimize our land transportation operations for notebooks from Chongqing. 92% of our 20-foot containers and 68% of our 20-foot and 40-foot containers were transported to Shenzhen by LTL shipping during the year, saving approximately US$3.16 million in transportation costs and 308.85 tons of carbon emissions (saving 763 trips over 1,600 kilometers each).
