KUALA LUMPUR: Lazada has launched a LazEarth campaign as part of the company's commitment to supporting sustainable practices in the digital commerce ecosystem.
The campaign will initially focus on plastic waste reduction in product and packaging, given that Southeast Asia generates an estimate of over 31 million tonnes of plastic waste each year, with 91 per cent of consumers stating that they are concerned about plastic waste issues in the region.
Lazada said it would work with LazMall brands and partners to make eco-friendly products easily accessible and identifiable to consumers.
Under this campaign, Lazada will recognise and feature more than 70 brands and 5,000 items across mainly fashion and FMCG product categories that are made, packed, or shipped with reduced or better plastics.
Chief strategy officer Magnus Ekbom said as digital commerce continued to be one of the key growth drivers in Southeast Asia, it was crucial for companies to place sustainability at the core of their strategies to build stronger and greener economies.
"The LazEarth campaign is part of Lazada's ongoing efforts to address plastic waste and help our buyers make informed decisions about sustainable products," he said.
From April 22 to April 23, Malaysian shoppers can shop green by browsing through the Lazada mobile app to look for participating sellers and brands, which have committed to eliminating the usage of single-use plastics, reducing the usage of plastic in their products and product packaging, and using better plastic (made with recycled plastic) as replacement.
Since 2021, Lazada started offering greener parcels made from alternative sustainable packaging materials through its Fulfilment by Lazada (FBL) service for partnering brands.
The green parcels use FSC-certified carton boxes filled with recycled shredded paper instead of plastic fillers.
Apart from addressing plastic waste, Lazada has put in place partnerships and social initiatives aimed at building a sustainable digital commerce ecosystem in Southeast Asia.
In Malaysia, Lazada teamed up with the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA) to digitalise local farmers through the 'Onboarding of Agrofood Products on eCommerce Platform' program.
This provides the farmers a direct channel to market their crops online for a better price, while consumers can purchase them at more competitive prices.