E-commerce is a significant contributor to packaging waste, which is a critical area of focus under Singapore’s Zero Waste Masterplan. All stakeholders in the e-commerce ecosystem, including businesses and consumers, play a vital role in the responsible management of packaging materials. On March 4, 2025, Singapore’s National Environment Agency (NEA) announced the release of Guidelines on Sustainable E-commerce Packaging developed by the Alliance for Action (AfA) on Packaging Waste Reduction for the E-commerce Sector*.
*The AfA includes 14 companies from various segments of the e-commerce supply chain, such as marketplaces, retailers, and packaging manufacturers, along with organizations and experts. It was co-led by the Singapore Manufacturing Federation (SMF) and Singapore Post (SingPost) and supported by the NEA.
Based on the current local waste management landscape and potential synergies, the Guidelines provide guidance and best practices for implementing 3Rs (Reduce, Re-use, Recycle) for e-commerce packaging in Singapore, covering cardboard boxes, mailers, and fillers. For instance, the Guidelines present seven distinct “Reduce” solutions specifically for cardboard boxes, ranging from expanding the selection of box sizes to prevent using oversized boxes, to adopting lighter alternative packaging. Each solution includes actionable steps for businesses, along with the anticipated benefits and challenges. Additionally, the Guidelines evaluate the solutions based on estimated effort, cost, and environmental impact, enabling companies to choose the most suitable option for their circumstances.
The Guidelines also outline operational models for e-commerce marketplaces to encourage sustainable packaging practices among consumers and enhance awareness and accountability among suppliers. Another valuable strategy is a scorecard that leaders can use to evaluate their management practices related to sustainable packaging and identify areas needing improvement. Real-world case studies in the Guidelines indicate that companies could reduce their packaging consumption by up to 90% by replacing a corrugated cardboard box with a similarly sized paper mailer.
For more details, please click here to download the Guidelines.
