How Much Plastic We Have Used in the Office

As we embark on our journey to Zero Single Use Plastic (SUP) by 2025, we have been monitoring the use of SUP across all YTL Group offices through the Say No to All Plastic (SNAP) campaign kicked off in 2019. This year, we have refined the definition of SUP as well as improved our data collection and analysis methodology where SUP is now classified into two distinct categories.

SUP is defined as plastic that is intended to be used only ONCE before being disposed of and can be easily replaced with alternatives that serve the same function.

Avoidable SUP

Targeted SUP that is either not recyclable, higher quantity and easily replaced

(Examples: 3-in-1 beverage sachets, biscuit packs, plastic water bottles, disposable plastic cutlery and food containers)

Non-avoidable SUP

SUP that is recyclable, lower quantity and not easily replaced

(Examples: Bulk packaging of various products, such as food and beverages, cleaning products, kitchen amenities, etc.)

Thanks to the help from our colleagues across various business units, we have tabulated the percentage of SUP products being used in the Malaysian offices, as well as overseas offices. With the newly defined SUP and analysis, let’s take a look at the commonly used plastic items we are using in our offices and operations.

Around 80-86% of plastic being used in our office is avoidable, which can be easily replaced with more sustainable options. Single-serve food and beverage packaging remains the main contributor to SUP in both Malaysian and overseas offices. We understand that consuming single-serve products can be more convenient and practical in some offices due to the COVID-19 pandemic and work from home/shift rotation. There are some ways we can reduce SUP gradually.

Kindly move your cursor over each block for more tips and ideas.

Eliminate water bottles and cups of water

Set up water dispensers and serve with reusable cups and jugs

Bulk buy beverage powder, creamer & sugar

Store loose powder in airtight containers and don’t forget to label the expiry date on the container

Eliminate disposable cutlery & containers

Get reusable cutlery & containers ready in the pantry and use compostable/biodegradable cutlery & containers only when necessary

Bulk buy biscuits and snacks

Store snacks in airtight containers and don’t forget to label the expiry date on the container

Replace tea bags with loose tea leaves

Prepare a few reusable tea strainers at the pantry or share a pot of tea with your colleagues

Choose eco-friendly coffee capsules

Choose recyclable aluminium coffee capsules or use reusable stainless steel coffee capsules which can be refilled with the coffee powder you love

If you would like to know more about the SNAP campaign and how you can do more to eliminate SUP, kindly refer to our latest SNAP Guidelines and Pantry Consumable Suggestions. With our collective effort across YTL Group, we can achieve our vision of moving towards zero SUP and Making a Good Future Happen.