There are seven different “Reduce” options offered especially for cardboard boxes, from choosing lighter alternative packaging to increasing the range of box sizes to avoid using big boxes.

One important area of concern under Singapore’s Zero Waste Masterplan is packaging waste, which is largely caused by e-commerce. The careful use of packaging materials is essential for all parties involved in the e-commerce ecosystem, including companies and customers. Guidelines on Sustainable E-commerce Packaging, created by the Alliance for Action (AfA) on Packaging Waste Reduction for the E-commerce Sector, were released by Singapore’s National Environment Agency (NEA) in March, 2025. 

*In addition to organizations and professionals, the AfA comprises 14 businesses from different e-commerce supply chain areas, including platforms, retailers, and packaging manufacturers. Supported by the NEA, it was co-led by Singapore Post (SingPost) and the Singapore Manufacturing Federation (SMF). 

The Guidelines offer recommendations and best practices for using the 3Rs (Reduce, Re-use, Recycle) for e-commerce packaging in Singapore, encompassing cardboard boxes, mailers, and fillers, taking into account the current local waste management environment and possible synergies. For example, the Guidelines offer seven different “Reduce” options for cardboard boxes, from employing lighter alternative packaging to increasing the range of box sizes to avoid using enormous boxes. Every solution outlines the expected advantages and difficulties as well as practical actions that firms can take. Furthermore, the Guidelines assess the solutions according to their expected cost, effort, and environmental impact, allowing businesses to select the one that best fits their needs.

In order to promote sustainable packaging practices among customers and raise supplier awareness and accountability, the Guidelines also provide operational models for e-commerce marketplaces. A scorecard is another useful tool that managers may use to assess their sustainable packaging management procedures and pinpoint areas that require improvement. According to the Guidelines’ real-world case studies, businesses might cut their packaging usage by up to 90% by switching out corrugated cardboard boxes with paper mailers of the same size. 

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