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The concept of e-commerce is defined in Decree No. 52/2013/ND-CP dated May
16, 2013, by the Prime Minister as "the conduct of part or all of the commercial activities

through electronic means connected to the Internet, mobile telecommunications
networks, or other open networks." (Government of Vietnam, 2013)
E-commerce waste refers to materials that are no longer used and are discharged
into the environment as a result of e-commerce activities, such as packaging materials,
carbon emissions, and single-use products. However, this study on the impact of
e-commerce waste (ECW) on the environment in Vietnam limits e-commerce waste to
packaging materials such as cardboard, plastic, bubble wrap, nylon bags, foam, and
other materials. E-commerce waste is primarily generated from the online trading

process, where electronic products are packaged and delivered from sellers to buyers
through shipping services, including cardboard, plastic, nylon bags, and bubble wrap.
Green economic growth
According to UNEP, a green economy is a low-carbon and resource-efficient
economy. According to UNESCAP, a green economy is an approach to achieving
economic growth with the aim of economic development while ensuring environmental

sustainability. Thus, a green economy is one that utilizes energy and natural resources
efficiently and conservatively, emits low levels of carbon, minimizes environmental
risks, and enhances social equity.
According to UNEP, “green” growth is a new direction aimed at promoting
economic development through sustainable consumption and production models for this
generation and for future generations. Hence, green economic growth is the process of
“greening” the traditional economic system so that the economy grows in a more

environmentally friendly way, with reduced fuel consumption, fostering ecological
industries, and technological innovation. Notably, green economic growth differs from
traditional growth in that it does not follow the motto of “develop first, protect the
environment later,” but rather incorporates prevention and environmental protection,
reducing carbon emissions in production and business as a driving force for growth.
Green economic growth involves restructuring economic activities and infrastructure to

achieve better outcomes from investments in resources, human and finance while
reducing greenhouse gas emissions, using fewer natural resources, producing less waste,
and reducing social inequity.
2.2. The effects of e-commerce waste on green economic growth
From the green growth perspective, e-commerce contributes to promoting green
growth if green materials are used in e-commerce activities. E-commerce waste is also
considered to have a positive effect on green growth if it is used as an input for
production, which is environmentally friendly. However, this section will only focus on

the negative impacts of e-commerce waste on green growth.
For the distribution and consumption of e-commerce products, the impact of
e-commerce waste on sustainable economic development, particularly on the
environment, is evident. For example, in the packaging process, online shoppers often

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