Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN) is replacing plastic air pillows with recycled paper for packaging in North America, citing environmental benefits and improved functionality.
As of Thursday, Amazon has replaced 95% of plastic air pillows with paper filler and aims for complete removal by the end of the year.
“We want to ensure that customers receive their items undamaged while minimizing packaging waste and prioritizing recyclable materials,” Amazon stated.
This initiative represents Amazon’s largest plastic packaging reduction in North America, eliminating nearly 15 billion plastic air pillows annually.
For Prime Day next month, almost all customer deliveries will be free of plastic air pillows.
The transition started in October at an automated fulfillment center in Ohio, where Amazon tested and refined the process, enabling a swift switch to recycled paper filling.
The process involved updating machinery and training employees on new systems and machines.
Amazon found that the 100% recyclable paper filler, which is curbside recyclable, provides equal or better protection during shipping compared to plastic air pillows.
Christian Garcia from Amazon’s Bakersfield, California fulfillment center noted that the paper filler is easier to handle and the updated machinery offers more space for packing orders.
Amazon’s ongoing waste reduction efforts include shipping items without additional packaging, with 11% of global packages in 2022 shipped this way.
Other initiatives involve collaborating with AI and robotics company Glacier to automate recyclable sorting and gathering real-time recycling data, as well as partnering with the U.S. Department of Energy on new materials and recycling programs.
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