Amazon aims to completely ditch plastic air pillows in all its parcels
In a major environmental move, leading e-commerce giant Amazon has made a crucial announcement regarding their packaging materials. The company has successfully replaced 95 percent of plastic air pillows in their delivery packages with fully recyclable paper filler, demonstrating their commitment to sustainability. With plans in place to completely eliminate plastic air packaging by the end of this year, Amazon is set to drastically reduce almost 15 billion plastic air pillows annually. This is reported by SSP.
Recognizing the significance of this change, it is important to highlight the environmental impact of Amazon's transition. The implementation of paper filler in place of plastic pillows not only reduces plastic waste but also contributes to promoting the circular economy. By opting for paper filler made from 100 percent recycled content, customers will have the convenience of easily recycling the material at home, ensuring its proper disposal.
Moreover, the company assures its customers that the paper filler provides equal or even better protection compared to its plastic counterpart. This emphasis on maintaining product safety highlights Amazon's dedication not only to environmental sustainability but also to customer satisfaction.
While this transition signifies progress, it is worth noting that Amazon has faced certain challenges in fully adopting paper packaging. While single-use plastic delivery bags were already replaced by Amazon in Europe, India, Australia, and Japan, the switch to paper in the United States has been a gradual process. Nonetheless, the commitment shown by the company, as seen in their Ohio warehouse where plastic packaging was replaced with recyclable paper, is commendable.
It is important to assess Amazon's environmental impact as a whole. In 2022, a report by Oceana, a renowned conservation organization, estimated that the company generated a staggering 208 million pounds of plastic waste through their packaging in the United States alone. Oceana appreciates Amazon's decision to eliminate plastic air pillows in North America, but also calls for continuous action. Their senior vice president of strategic initiative, Matt Littlejohn, expressed the need for Amazon to build on this momentum and fulfill their commitment to reducing plastic usage across their fulfillment centers throughout North America.
Ultimately, Oceana aims to see Amazon phase out single-use plastic packaging entirely across all regions where the company sells and ships its products. By doing so, Amazon can further reduce its environmental footprint while inspiring other companies to follow suit and embrace sustainable packaging practices.