•Reveal
•Reduce
•Redesign

Since the pandemic, Lazada and Shopee’s success continue to increase exponentially and with great success comes great responsibility.

This petition calls Lazada and Shopee to provide alternative solutions and redesign the future of Malaysia’s e-commerce industry to ensure a just, green and equitable future for all of us.

OUR DEMANDS
REVEAL
a. Measure and share data on plastic packaging waste. In order to address the problem, we have to see the bigger picture and understand how much plastic packaging waste is being purchased, delivered, and discarded. This begins from the source: the companies selling us products in plastic. Only by measuring and reporting on their plastic footprint can companies provide the baseline for future reduction targets for plastic packaging. Publishing these estimates publicly helps build confidence that Lazada and Shopee are serious and committed to curbing plastic packaging waste.

b. Show and strengthen internal mechanisms, if any, to reduce the company’s environmental impact. The only way Lazada and Shopee can demonstrate meaningful commitment to environmental health and corporate social responsibility is through transparency and openness about company policies, standards and targets.

REDUCE
a. Develop and implement policies to eliminate unnecessary and excessive plastic packaging. Consumers have noted that some parcels do not warrant excessive bubble wrap, or multiple layers of plastic which have no use and typically end up immediately discarded. It is time to curb down on packaging by introducing policies that discourage unnecessary packaging in a rational manner. By rational we mean setting a standard for what kinds of products merit thick plastic wrap, and what doesn’t. Since vendors are already doing this, it is also time for the platform itself to adopt more environmentally-friendly policies.

b. Set measurable and achievable reduction targets for plastic packaging waste. While we understand that vendors and couriers also must be involved in cutting down on plastic packaging waste, Lazada and Shopee are in an important position. E-commerce platforms have the power to implement sustainable packaging policies and systems that will enable and incentivise vendors to recognise the environmental cost of plastic packaging and make greater efforts to reduce waste. Setting concrete reduction targets ensures your company’s commitment to this endeavour. Lazada and Shopee should also work with logistics partners to establish clear reduction targets and goals.

REDESIGN
a. Support vendors using sustainable packaging models, prioritising return and reuse. Some vendors are already offering sustainable delivery options, for example using plastic-free packaging for online deliveries, where customers can return or donate used boxes to their physical store for further reuse. Lazada and Shopee should work more with these vendors and also feature them on the app - for example through a rating system and by allowing customers to browse sustainable vendors and/or opt out of plastic packaging. This not only gives consumers a choice to shop more sustainably, but it also helps to educate and incentivise both consumers and vendors to be more responsible when they buy and sell.

b. Explore new ways to encourage and enable packaging reduction. As the world is becoming increasingly aware of the plastic pollution crisis and recognising that delivery is a critical part of this, there are many recent examples of companies developing reuse models that involve deposit, drop off, and collection systems. In order to keep up with plastic reduction trends and avoid future regulatory risks, companies like Lazada and Shopee Malaysia need to start innovating and addressing this issue now.

To Lazada & Shopee:
Smart Packaging Protects the Environment!

It is time to REVEAL, REDUCE, and REDESIGN.

REVEAL
• Measure and share data on plastic packaging waste.
• Show and strengthen internal mechanisms, if any, to reduce the company’s environmental impact.

REDUCE
• Develop and implement policies to eliminate unnecessary and excessive plastic packaging.
• Set measurable and achievable reduction targets for plastic packaging waste.

REDESIGN
• Support vendors using sustainable packaging models, prioritising return and reuse.
• Explore new ways to encourage and enable packaging reduction.

Sign the petition