LETTERS: The Covid-19 pandemic has impacted our lives tremendously, from people losing jobs to having mental health issues.
The virus also affected supply chains.
During the first few weeks of the Movement Control Order, there was a shortage of bread, which forced shopkeepers to restrict sales to one loaf per customer so that consumers would not buy too many loaves at once.
In Australia, there was a run on toilet paper in supermarkets.
The use of face masks and rubber gloves rose around the globe.
Manufacturers increased production to meet the rise in demand. The rise in demand and production of goods had adverse effects on the environment.
Carbon gas emissions from increased production and transportation of finished goods have increased due to this surge in demand and capacity.
We see third-party couriers working overtime to meet the huge amount of online orders.
This causes an increase in carbon emissions.
This is proof that supply chain disruptions have a direct impact on environmental sustainability.
How businesses operate are beyond our control, but consumers can save the environment by buying items in bulk; sharing delivery options and charges with friends or neighbours; recycling boxes or packaging; and participating in product-return programmes.
Courier companies can use technology to optimise the travelling routes of transporters to save on fuel and environmental costs.
Establishing an efficient system for managing courier companies' operations is a worthwhile investment in economic and environmental sustainability.
Dr Hawa Hishamuddin
Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times