The Singapore Manufacturing Federation (SMF) and Singapore Post (SingPost) have launched the Alliance for Action (AfA) on Packaging Waste Reduction for the E-commerce Sector, supported by the National Environment Agency (NEA), with the aim of developing sector-specific voluntary guidelines on sustainable packaging for the e-commerce sector.
The AfA guidelines will complement the Technical Reference on Sustainable Packaging Guiding Framework and Practices, launched in 2022, by contextualizing it to the e-commerce sector. The guidelines will focus on packaging used or added specifically to enable an e-commerce transaction, such as transportation and mailing packaging, void-fill packaging and labels.
Promoting better packaging
According to SingPost and SMF, the guidelines will help e-commerce companies make informed decisions on sustainable packaging solutions to reduce, reuse and recycle packaging waste. Areas that AfA stakeholders are looking into include e-commerce marketplace initiatives that promote sustainable packaging, and solutions for each type of commonly used e-commerce packaging. These will be augmented with details on the actions to take, potential benefits and drawbacks, and relevant case studies and references.
Michelle Lee, chief sustainability officer of SingPost, explained, “The number of e-commerce parcels arriving in Singapore doubled between 2019 and 2023, and with the continuous expansion of e-commerce, packaging waste will skyrocket. There is an urgent need for the ecosystem in Singapore to work together to make informed decisions and take action.
“We hope the local guidelines will raise awareness and accelerate efforts to reduce, reuse and recycle. These guidelines are established based on the experience of alliance members, and we hope these tried-and-tested options will help rapidly scale adoption.”
Commitment to sustainability
Lennon Tan, president of the SMF, added, “At the Singapore Manufacturing Federation, we recognize the urgent need for sustainable practices in e-commerce. This Alliance for Action reflects our commitment to driving industry collaboration in reducing packaging waste. By developing practical guidelines, we are helping businesses manage packaging materials responsibly, pursue innovative practices and work toward zero waste, all while contributing to Singapore’s sustainability goals.”
The AfA comprises 15 members encompassing industry stakeholders from across the e-commerce value chain, trade associations and non-governmental organizations.