Page 280 - Ebook HTKH 2024

From Table 1, it is clear that the concept of sustainable e-commerce involves
developing commerce while protecting the environment, benefiting stakeholders, and

considering future generations. Sustainable e-commerce effectively bridges the gap
between local e-commerce practices while reducing the role of intermediaries (traders,
markets, logistics partners, etc.), thereby bringing more benefits to farmers. This, in turn,
encourages them to invest more in product quality while ensuring traceability on e-
commerce platforms, thus increasing consumer trust in these platforms.
This perspective requires the responsibility of all stakeholders, from producers,
distributors, and logistics providers to consumers, to play their part in sustainable
e-commerce.

Environmentally Friendly Products: This refers to offering products made from
easily biodegradable materials, or those that decompose quickly or can be recycled for
multiple uses.
Sustainable Packaging: This includes using materials that are recyclable,
biodegradable, or made from recycled materials.
Energy Efficiency: This involves reducing energy consumption in warehousing

and transportation activities by using renewable energy, optimizing delivery routes, and
investing in energy-saving technologies.
Waste Minimization throughout the entire e-commerce process is crucial. It
requires effective inventory management, sustainable product design, and implementing
recycling programs for packaging materials.
Ethical Business Practices encompass fair labor treatment, support for fair trade,
and transparency.

3. Current Status of Plastic Waste Emissions in the E-commerce Industry
In recent years, Vietnam's e-commerce sector has consistently maintained a
growth rate of 16% to 30%. Experts predict that the growth of e-commerce in Vietnam
will continue to explode in the coming years, reaching a milestone of $39 billion by
2025. However, the downside of the explosive development of e-commerce is the
increased use of packaging materials, plastic bags, and accessories to protect goods from

damage, which has consequently increased waste emissions into the environment.
Additionally, delivery operations contribute to carbon emissions, increase traffic
density, and cause noise pollution during the transportation of goods.
In the 2023 report on plastic waste from e-commerce packaging in Vietnam by
WWF, survey results from merchants regarding their use of packaging materials
indicate that cardboard boxes and plastic bags are commonly used. Particularly in the
clothing, fashion, and accessories sectors, up to 90% of merchants utilize these types of
packaging for shipping. Furthermore, 65% of surveyed merchants use foam or bubble

wrap to cushion products. About 80% of merchants regularly use plastic tape.

272