Grab targets zero packaging waste in nature by 2040

• Current total plastic footprint at 69.6k tons, proactively tackle challenge
• Aims to reduce overpackaging, replacing single use-plastics with compostables

Grab is committing to achieve zero packaging waste in nature by 2040 to support cleaner oceans and lands in Southeast Asia. This follows from its efforts, since 2019, to encourage consumers to opt out of receiving single-use cutlery for their food delivery orders.

The new target is being implemented over two phases. Phase 1 will see the company focus on reducing overpackaging and replacing single use-plastics with compostables. Grab estimates its total plastic footprint to be 69,660 tons, with items such as containers, plastic carriers, lids and sauce packets making up 70% of plastic count – items that it is now aiming to trim through the reduction of waste and increasing use of compostables.  Phase 1 will run until 2030, with the aim of having 30% of plastic packaging diverted by then.

The second phase will involve the long-term waste collection and reusable packaging solutions as part of a circular economy approach to achieve its target of zero packaging waste in nature by 2040.

“We recognise that food packaging waste is an inherent by-product of our food delivery platform. Change has to happen throughout the value chain, and we are committed to proactively seeking and developing sustainable, inclusive answers. This means both being introspective while working with other parties in the ecosystem such as regulators, packaging manufacturers, waste management firms, merchant-partners, and consumers," said Cheryl Goh, Group Head of Marketing and Sustainability, Grab.

This new goal was announced in conjunction with the release of Grab's 2022 ESG report and is complementary to its target of reaching carbon neutrality by 2040. Due to the nature of business, 98.2% of Grab's emissions are Scope 3 – emissions originating from partner vehicles from rides and deliveries. Grab reports that it managed to reduce 48,000 tonnes of emissions in 2022 through a mix of zero-emission modes of transport (e.g. walkers and cyclists), using low-emissions vehicles in its rental fleet (e.g. hybrid and electric vehicles), and efficiency optimisation (e.g. batching deliveries and shared rides)
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Claiming that it is the largest EV ride-hailing fleet operator in Indonesia, Grab has deployed more than 800 battery swap stations through various infrastructure partnerships in the country to ease some of the range anxiety and encourage more driver-partners to move to EVs.