Expand eco product range, reduce emissions, raise awareness: Ways S’pore firm plans to use to go green

Sustainability expectations are reshaping even the most traditional corners of Singapore’s packaging industry. Across hospitality, food and beverage, and retail, customers are now asking not only for reliability and cost efficiency, but also for lower-carbon materials and responsible production practices.

For home-grown packaging supplier Allswell Polythene, this shift has created both an operational challenge and an opportunity to rethink its role in a more resource-efficient economy. In recent years, the company has begun incorporating recycled plastic resin – reducing reliance on virgin materials and responding to tenders that increasingly prioritise environmental considerations.

“Recyclable plastic bags are a viable alternative for businesses seeking to lower their carbon footprint. Reusing plastic waste helps create a closed-loop system and puts less strain on the environment while meeting rising demand for green products. Longer term, lower energy and production costs also improve competitiveness,” says Allswell Polythene managing director Eddy Chua.

In response to consumers’ pivot towards greener products – driven in part by the mandatory 5-cents charge for plastic bags at supermarkets – the home-grown company introduced recyclable plastic bags into its product range last year.

To accelerate their sustainability goals, Allswell Polythene signed up for DBS’ ESG Ready Programme in mid-2024.

The programme provides a structured end-to-end platform for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and mid-sized companies to become future-ready by building capabilities and capacity in sustainability.

“It gave us valuable insights into setting clear decarbonisation goals and integrating greener practices across our operations. The support from DBS managers and their network of sustainability experts at every milestone was also seamless – from training to measuring our carbon footprint and ultimately developing our decarbonisation strategy,” Chua explains.

Through the programme, the company has gained the confidence to deepen its use of recycled materials, improve operational efficiency to reduce emissions and work with its partners to drive awareness for recycled plastic products.

DBS Singapore’s head of SME banking Sharon Tan says: “Allswell Polythene’s journey shows how sustainability can drive both business resilience and competitiveness. By rethinking the everyday plastic bag and embedding greener practices across its operations, the company is now better positioned to meet rising customer expectations and seize new opportunities in a changing market.

“Through the DBS ESG Ready programme’s structured guidance, Allswell Polythene has successfully translated their sustainability goals into measurable business outcomes. As more businesses weave sustainability into their growth plans, DBS SME Banking is committed to empowering them with meaningful support and insights to adapt, grow and stay resilient for the future economy.”

Recyclable plastic bags the way to go

Through the DBS ESG Ready programme, Allswell Polythene tapped DBS’ ecosystem of sustainability experts and tailored support, including a Republic Polytechnic masterclass curated by DBS as SkillsFuture Queen Bee. Covering decarbonisation and energy management, stakeholder engagement, and sustainable packaging and waste management, the sessions gave the company a solid foundation in the sustainability resources available to SMEs.

With guidance from ESGpedia in using its digital tool, the company established its carbon baseline and earned the ESBN Asia-Pacific Green Deal Silver Badge, recognising sustainability performance and commitment to net zero. It also received the LowCarbonSG logo after acquiring professional certification in carbon accounting through Global Compact Network Singapore.

Working with Deloitte under the programme, Allswell Polythene also received recommendations to expand its range of recycled plastic products and pursue relevant ISO certifications.

Chua says his company could build on the launch of the company’s black recyclable garbage bags, which is made of 100 per cent recycled plastic and is the first in its product range to receive Singapore Green Labelling Scheme (SGLS) certification. The SGLS recognises products that meet eco standards and adhere to international best practices in production.

In Singapore, waste is generally incinerated rather than landfilled. This means certain types of disposables – such as oxo-biodegradable bags made with additives to accelerate degradation – may not offer clear environmental benefits. Such bags may also interfere with the recycling process if mixed with other conventional plastics. As such, recyclable plastic bags are generally considered a more practical option for local businesses aiming to reduce environmental impact. Oxo-biodegradable bags are also no longer recognised under the SGLS, as the criteria for this product category have been retired.

Following Allswell Polythene’s participation in the DBS ESG Ready programme, Chua says the company is also considering electrifying its vehicle fleet when leases for the current fleet expire, aligning with goals to reduce emissions.

“These milestones improve operational credibility and branding for us as they signify our commitment to sustainability and continuous improvement,” Chua explains. “At the same time, they position us more competitively in future tenders where ESG performance is a key consideration along the supply chain.”

For SMEs, this demonstrates that with the right support from established players, decarbonisation can turn from aspiration into reality and support business growth.

Find out more about the DBS ESG Ready Programme from its website.