The pandemic has reset the global shopping behaviour. Online shopping is surging like never before. I spent less than RM1000 in 2019, but my online spending has tripled to nearly RM4000 in 2021. The packaging waste is equally at an all-time high.
I shop for groceries to Chinese herbs also kitchen towels from e-commerce platforms. As packages flood into our homes, it worries me the large pile of packaging waste end in the landfill. Every package comes with layers of insulated wrappers and paper boxes. It takes twenty minutes to open one parcel and sorts out the waste.
We witnessed several extreme weather patterns right in our backyard last year. COP26 reminded public engagement matters more than ever before. This year we need to step up our efforts to reduce our packaging waste.
Some three billion trees produce 241 million tons of paper-based packaging every year. Meanwhile, single-use plastic mailers present an environmental concern. Plastic can persist for hundreds of years. Currently, less than 14 per cent of 86 million tons of plastic packaging produced each year is recycled. A vast majority is left to pollute our waterways and environment.
Reuse or recycle packaging materials
Online shopping is booming at an exponential rate after the pandemic. Plastic packaging is lightweight and also ridiculously cheap. While sustainable packaging made from cornstarch is good, the high cost deters significant buy-ins. Amazon has developed a lightweight paper mailer in place of plastic mailers.
It is time for popular shopping platforms like Shopee and Lazada to make real commitments to reduce their plastic footprint. They should encourage bundling to avoid ridiculously excessive packaging. Sellers should minimize unnecessary packaging.
With the growing awareness of social responsibility, the Double Eleven in 2021 has turned from a shopping extravaganza to building a good life. Alibaba aspires to encourage customers to shop greener and stop hoarding.
Central recycling stations could help curtail packaging waste. The guilt of online shopping shouldn’t solely blame the consumers. Staying home and limiting contact with other people is the most effective way of combating the spread of the virus.
Sellers can reuse bubble wrap. Cardboard boxes are opened flat and set out for recycling. Reusing these boxes and bubble wrap reduces the energy consumption to re-production. Cainiao Network set up 60,000 courier stations to give away 7.5 million eggs as a reward for consumers recycling their parcel boxes. This effort is encouraging in support of the carbon-reduction mission.
Please share on our FB page (@organiklivin) how you deal with your packaging waste.