New guidelines for e-commerce businesses to cut down on packaging waste were introduced to help the sector minimize its environmental impact on Tuesday. Developed by an Alliance for Action comprising 14 companies in the e-commerce industry, the guidelines aim to tackle the excessive use of packaging materials.
The initiative, co-led by the Singapore Manufacturing Federation (SMF) and Singapore Post, with support from the National Environment Agency (NEA), addresses the pressing need to reduce packaging waste in Singapore. According to estimates, the e-commerce sector saw the delivery of approximately 186,000 parcels daily in 2023, resulting in a staggering 15,900 tonnes of packaging waste that year alone.
The guidelines focus on implementing practical “3R” solutions – reduce, reuse and recycle – tailored to different packaging materials such as cardboard boxes, mailers, and fillers. Specifically, for cardboard boxes, seven recommendations were provided for businesses to consider, including expanding the range of box sizes, using lighter alternative packaging, and repurposing old boxes as fillers. Each recommendation outlines step-by-step actions, expected benefits, and potential drawbacks, enabling businesses to select solutions that best align with their needs.
In addition to reducing cardboard box usage, the guidelines advocate for changes in packaging practices across various materials. This includes considerations for corrugated cardboard boxes, cardboard trays, carrier bags, mailers, insulated bags, fillers, ice and gel packs, insulated boxes, and labels. These recommendations encourage businesses to rethink their packaging strategies and opt for more sustainable alternatives wherever possible.
The guidelines also underline the importance of promoting sustainable packaging to consumers, driving awareness, and responsibilities among suppliers. Businesses are encouraged to leverage the provided scorecard tool to assess their sustainability efforts and identify areas for improvement based on real-world case studies.
“In our effort to tackle packaging waste, companies may uncover opportunities to reduce packaging needs by up to 90 per cent,” stated NEA, SMF, and SingPost. Real-world examples demonstrate the tangible benefits of adopting sustainable packaging practices, such as cost savings achieved by retailers like Watsons Singapore and packaging company Sealed Air.
To facilitate the adoption of these guidelines, workshops will be conducted as part of the Packaging Partnership Programme administered by SMF, launched in 2021 to drive sustainable packaging practices among businesses in the e-commerce sector. Addressing packaging waste aligns with Singapore’s Zero Waste Masterplan, which aims to boost the national recycling rate to 70 per cent by 2030.
“All stakeholders in the e-commerce ecosystem, including businesses and consumers, have an important role to play in managing packaging materials responsibly,” emphasized NEA, SMF, and SingPost.
