Many believe Amazon’s latest move to being an environmentally friendly move. But this is not the main motivation if you want to know the truth. Amazon does what it needs to do to save money, and if the little plastic pillows that my son loves to pop were far less expensive than the alternatives, then Amazon would not be changing over.
You know those little plastic air pillows in your more fragile Amazon purchases that make a perfect popping noise when crushed? Amazon has announced that it has significantly reduced its usage of these plastic air cushions and plans to eliminate them entirely by the end of the year.
In a recent blog post, Amazon revealed it has decreased the use of plastic air pillows by 95 percent, transitioning to crumbled paper filler instead. This switch is part of Amazon’s broader initiative to use more sustainable packaging materials. The company aims to use paper filler for nearly all customer deliveries on Prime Day, showcasing its commitment to environmental sustainability.
Amazon announces ‘largest reduction in plastic packaging,’ doing away with air pillows https://t.co/HB4nfZf18o
— USA TODAY Money (@USATODAYmoney) June 21, 2024
Amazon’s decision to phase out plastic air cushions at its distribution centers is driven by a desire to eliminate unnecessary waste and focus on using recycled materials. The shift is part of a larger effort to address the environmental impact of its packaging practices.
Plastic pollution has long been a significant environmental concern, exacerbated by Amazon’s rapid growth, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, the nonprofit ocean conservation group Oceana released a study indicating that Amazon generated 599 million pounds of plastic waste in 2020. The study highlighted that the waste produced from plastic air pillows alone could “circle the Earth more than 600 times.”
Wow!
Amazon is getting rid of plastic air pillows in North America… https://t.co/UmLohWP0eY via @Verge
— Moms Clean Air Force (@CleanAirMoms) June 21, 2024
Amazon’s move to reduce and ultimately eliminate plastic air pillows is a positive step toward reducing plastic pollution. By switching to crumbled paper filler, Amazon is not only addressing the waste issue but also promoting the use of more environmentally friendly materials. This change aligns with the growing consumer demand for sustainable practices from large corporations.
The transition to paper filler is part of Amazon’s broader sustainability goals, which include reducing the environmental footprint of its operations. The company has also been working on other initiatives, such as using more recycled materials in packaging and improving the recyclability of its delivery materials.
Amazon is making a big change in the paper vs. plastic e-commerce arena, announcing this week that it has replaced 95% of plastic air pillows used for delivery packaging with filler paper: https://t.co/kAbservHlU#plastic #amazon #delivery
— Progressive Grocer (@pgrocer) June 21, 2024
Amazon’s commitment to phasing out plastic air pillows is a significant move that could have a substantial impact on reducing plastic waste. This initiative is expected to be fully implemented by the end of the year, marking a critical milestone in the company’s sustainability journey.
Key Points:
i. Amazon has reduced its use of plastic air pillows by 95% and plans to completely eliminate them by the end of the year.
ii. The company is switching to crumbled paper filler for nearly all customer deliveries, including Prime Day.
iii. This change is part of Amazon’s effort to eliminate unnecessary waste and focus on using recycled materials.
iv. A study by Oceana highlighted Amazon’s significant plastic waste, noting 599 million pounds produced in 2020, with plastic air pillows contributing substantially.
v. Amazon’s move to more sustainable packaging aligns with growing consumer demand for environmentally friendly practices and aims to reduce the environmental impact of its operations.
Benny G Hefkiel – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
