📦 Plastic Air Pillows Removed
As of October 2024, Amazon has eliminated plastic air pillows from its global fulfillment centers. The company shifted to 100% recycled paper fillers for North American shipments, calling it their "biggest reduction in plastic packaging in North America to date." This move aligns with the company's ongoing efforts to become more eco-friendly, especially considering that 27.3% of packages in the U.S. were shipped through Amazon Logistics last year.
🌿 Focus on Reducing Plastic
Amazon has been working towards reducing plastic packaging over the years. In 2023, the company reduced the average weight of plastic per shipment by 9% globally, following a 17% decrease in 2022. Since 2020, the company has avoided using 80,500 metric tons of single-use plastic packaging. However, challenges remain, as a Guardian report highlighted a nearly 10% increase in Amazon's plastic packaging in the U.S. from 2021 to 2022.
📉 New Alternatives for Packaging
Amazon is pushing for alternatives like paper packaging. The company has converted 120 of its plastic bag-making machines to produce paper bags instead. Additionally, its Ships in Product Packaging initiative encourages sellers to use packaging-free shipping methods for certified products. These initiatives have allowed Amazon to ship some fragile items without any additional packaging.
🌍 Global Reach, Local Challenges
Amazon's packaging efforts extend globally, reaching markets in Asia, Europe, Africa, and South America. But its North American operations face scrutiny. As of December 2023, two-thirds of its North American shipments still included some form of plastic packaging. Amazon has set a goal to cut this by a third by the end of 2024. The company’s shift to paper-based materials aims to balance customer needs while advancing its environmental commitments.
Is Amazon's shift to paper packaging enough for sustainability?
