Sustainable Delivery: How Foodpanda Fights Plastic Waste

Foodpanda dominates Malaysia’s food delivery sector with tech-driven solutions, vast restaurant networks, and hyper-localized services.
March 20, 2025 by
Sustainable Delivery: How Foodpanda Fights Plastic Waste
Alifah

Foodpanda, Malaysia’s leading food delivery platform, continues to shape the industry in 2024 with 5.2 million active users and partnerships with 75,000+ restaurants nationwide. Owned by Delivery Hero since 2016, the company leverages AI, logistics optimization, and sustainability initiatives to maintain its 65% market share. From urban hotspots like Kuala Lumpur to rural areas in Sabah, Foodpanda’s 15,000 riders ensure 25-minute average deliveries. With 2023 revenues hitting RM1.8 billion and a focus on grocery delivery expansion, the platform remains pivotal to Malaysia’s on-demand economy.

Market Leadership & Tech Innovation

Foodpanda’s app, downloaded 19 million times in Malaysia, uses AI algorithms to predict user preferences, boosting order accuracy by 30%. Its “PandaPoints” loyalty program rewards 3.4 million members with discounts and exclusive deals, driving a 22% increase in repeat orders.

Real-time route optimization via pandago, Foodpanda’s logistics arm, reduces delivery times during peak hours. In 2024, the company introduced “Priority Plus,” a subscription service offering zero delivery fees and 15% discounts for RM14.90/month, attracting 750,000 subscribers in Q1 alone.

Expanding Beyond Food: Pandamart & Quick Commerce

Pandamart, Foodpanda’s 24/7 grocery delivery service, now operates 200+ dark stores across Malaysia, stocking 7,000 SKUs from fresh produce to electronics. Revenue from Pandamart surged 45% YoY in 2023, contributing RM420 million.

The platform’s “15-Minute Delivery Guarantee” for essentials like snacks and toiletries in Kuala Lumpur and Penang has set new standards for quick commerce. Partnering with giants like Tesco and Nestlé, Pandamart fulfills 1.2 million grocery orders monthly.

Sustainability: Tackling Plastic Waste

In response to Malaysia’s plastic pollution crisis, Foodpanda launched “Green Mode” in 2023, incentivizing users to opt out of single-use plastics with RM0.50 cashback. Over 40% of orders now use biodegradable packaging.

The company’s “Zero Waste Kitchens” initiative partners with 1,500 eateries to repurpose surplus food into meals for underprivileged communities via NGO collaborations. This program diverted 180 tonnes of food waste in 2023.

Supporting SMEs & Local Vendors

Foodpanda’s “Hawker Heroes” campaign spotlights 8,000+ street food vendors, offering waived commission fees for three months to boost visibility. Participating stalls reported a 35% revenue increase.

The “Digital Niaga” program provides free digital training and equipment loans to rural F&B businesses in Kedah and Terengganu, onboarding 4,200 micro-vendors since 2023.

Challenges: Competition & Rider Welfare

Despite dominance, Foodpanda faces fierce rivalry from GrabFood and newly launched platforms like airasia food. Its 2024 focus on price competitiveness includes “RM5 Meals” discounts and RM10 million rider bonuses during festive seasons.

Rider welfare remains critical. Foodpanda introduced accident insurance coverage and a RM4.5 million fund for rider upskilling programs (e.g., motorcycle maintenance courses) in partnership with MDEC.

User Trends: Health & Customization

2024 has seen a 50% spike in healthy meal orders, driven by Gen Z and millennial users. Foodpanda’s “Eat Better” filter highlights 12,000+ low-calorie, vegan, and keto-friendly options.

Customization reigns supreme: the “Build-Your-Bowl” feature allows users to tailor dishes from 300+ health-focused restaurants, generating RM120 million in Q1 sales.

Financial Resilience & Growth

Foodpanda Malaysia’s parent company, Delivery Hero, reported a Q1 2024 GMV of RM2.3 billion (+18% YoY). Key drivers include:

  • Pandapro subscriptions (1.2 million users).
  • Late-night delivery demand (35% of orders between 10 PM–4 AM).
  • Cloud kitchen partnerships (80+ brands operate via Foodpanda’s shared kitchens).

Future Plans: Drone Deliveries & AI Chefs

Foodpanda is piloting drone deliveries with CAAM (Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia) in Cyberjaya, targeting rural areas by 2025. The drones can transport 2kg packages within 10km, slashing delivery costs by 40%.

Its experimental AI Chef Studio in Penang uses machine learning to create personalized recipes based on user dietary needs. Dishes are available for delivery within the app, blending tech with culinary innovation.


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Sustainable Delivery: How Foodpanda Fights Plastic Waste
Alifah March 20, 2025
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