As we know recycling can be complicated at the best of times. Now there is another menace to avoid. Amazon Plastic Packaging bags!
As we know recycling can be complicated at the best of times.
Throwing plastic into the recycling bin is easy but the vast majority of curb-side recycling locations do no accept plastic bags.
Now there is another menace to avoid. Amazon Plastic Packaging bags!
The Washington Post has reported that Amazons’s recently introduce non-recyclable mailing bags are clogging up some of the recycling plants in the United States.
Consumers simply throw them in the bin along with the rest of the recyclable items.
A representative from the King County Solid Waste Division has stated that the Amazon Packaging bags suffer from the same flaw as regular plastic bags in that they cannot be sorted once in the recycling machinery.
Well they could, but it would be a labor intensive process that would add significant costs! Not to mention they would have to stop the machinery itself.
Another layer of complexity is added due to the paper labels on the bags not being recyclable neither!
Amazon recently introduced these plastic mailer bags and has since begun shipping some of its orders to buyers around the globe. This is an alternative to corrugated cardboard packaging and is also thought to be a space saving method on their trucks and airplanes.
Despite this it seems this new plastic packaging has created yet another recycling headache in that it simply ends up in landfills.
The only viable, recyclable alternative are some kind of Foil Vacuum seal bags, but these of course are a more expensive option.
Amazon is looking to launch a 100% recyclable paper alternative in the not too distant future.
Amazon's Commitment to Reducing Plastic Packaging
Amazon is committed to sustainability and reducing plastic waste. In its 2022 sustainability report, the company outlined its efforts to decarbonise operations, cut down on waste, and enhance overall sustainability. A significant focus of this commitment is to eliminate plastic from its mailer bags.
Transition to Earth-Friendly Mailer Bags
Amazon is actively phasing out padded bags containing plastic in favor of eco-friendly and recyclable options. This change is in response to growing consumer demand for sustainable packaging. The old padded bags, which mixed plastic and paper, are being replaced with paper-padded bags in the United States and Canada. Amazon recently produced its one-billionth EarthKraft recyclable paper-padded mailer in partnership with Georgia-Pacific.
Industry Trend Towards Sustainable Packaging
Amazon's choice to use paper-padded mailers aligns with an industry-wide trend toward sustainable e-commerce packaging. Walmart, another major player in retail, is also transitioning from plastic to paper mailers. This shift underscores a shared commitment to reducing the environmental impact of packaging materials.
Transition Away from Traditional Boxes
In 2022, Amazon reshaped its packaging approach. They used corrugated boxes for 40% of shipments, their containers for 11%, and flexible mailers made from plastic, paper, or a mix for a notable 49%. This change demonstrates Amazon's deliberate plan to make its packaging methods more efficient and give higher importance to eco-friendly alternatives.
A Milestone in Ohio
One of Amazon's fulfilment centres in Ohio has achieved a significant milestone. It is the first centre in the United States to replace plastic and use paper-based options for its delivery packaging. This move is Amazon's strategy to enhance the eco-friendliness of its packaging materials and encourage at-home recycling practices among customers.
Historical Amazon Plastic Packaging and Paper Use
Amazon has historically used a combination of plastic and paper in its product packaging. This tactic balances different factors such as durability, size, and weight. However, recycling would require customers to drop off these packages at specific locations. With this, Amazon has to explore other alternatives.
Challenges and Transformations
The transition to paper-based packaging was a substantial effort. Amazon's team worked on adapting machinery to use paper materials, developing flexible paper-based packaging solutions, improving made-to-fit technology, and replacing plastic air pillows with paper-based fillers.
After a lot of measures and effort, Amazon has transitioned its fulfilment centre in Ohio. Now, the centre is exclusively using paper for its packaging. Amazon has many fulfilment centres and Euclid is just one of its multi-year measures and projects. The giant e-commerce still has a long way to go in converting all fulfilment centres and making recycling an easy task for its consumers.
Conclusion: Amazon's Drive for Sustainable Packaging
Amazon's proactive steps to reduce plastic in packaging and adopt sustainable alternatives reflect a broader industry trend toward responsible packaging practices. By phasing out plastic in mailer bags and embracing recyclable options, Amazon is taking significant steps towards a more eco-friendly future for e-commerce packaging.
