11.17.23
All of Amazon’s delivery packaging in Europe — the boxes, bags and envelopes needed to get products to customers — is now recyclable. This includes items sold by Amazon, and third-party selling partners that use Fulfilment by Amazon (FBA).
From now on, customers will receive packages in flexible paper bags, cardboard envelopes and corrugated cardboard boxes, which are easily recyclable in household recycling across Europe.
In the past year, Amazon has also grown the number of products shipped without any additional Amazon packaging by more than 50% in Europe.
All of these efforts combined have led Amazon to estimate that more than 1 billion fewer single-use plastic delivery bags were used across its European distribution network since 2019.
“We’re excited that our European fulfilment network is now using recyclable packaging for customer orders,” said Pat Lindner, VP of Mechatronics and Sustainable Packaging at Amazon. “This is part of our long-term work to be a leader in sustainability, and we’ll continue to invest in innovative technology, machine learning, and more sustainable materials to ensure packaging—whether used by us or other companies—is good for our customers, communities, and the planet.”
Last month, the company fulfilled a small part of its promise to switch from using plastic bubble mailers and air pillows to all recyclable paper packaging for its shipments. According to The Verge, the company recently outfitted one facility in Euclid, Ohio, with an upgraded packaging machine that can automatically fold custom-fit boxes to wrap some products, use paper mailers for small items, and slide in paper fillers instead of plastic ones in standard boxes.
Still, there is no timeline for when Amazon will convert all packaging in the U.S. to recyclable materials as it has done in Europe.
NIQ reports that beauty was among the top purchased categories for the event, behind only clothes and tech & gadgets.
From now on, customers will receive packages in flexible paper bags, cardboard envelopes and corrugated cardboard boxes, which are easily recyclable in household recycling across Europe.
In the past year, Amazon has also grown the number of products shipped without any additional Amazon packaging by more than 50% in Europe.
All of these efforts combined have led Amazon to estimate that more than 1 billion fewer single-use plastic delivery bags were used across its European distribution network since 2019.
“We’re excited that our European fulfilment network is now using recyclable packaging for customer orders,” said Pat Lindner, VP of Mechatronics and Sustainable Packaging at Amazon. “This is part of our long-term work to be a leader in sustainability, and we’ll continue to invest in innovative technology, machine learning, and more sustainable materials to ensure packaging—whether used by us or other companies—is good for our customers, communities, and the planet.”
Progress in the U.S.
In July, Amazon promised in its 2022 Sustainability Report to cut out plastic mailers in favor of recyclable alternatives in the U.S.Last month, the company fulfilled a small part of its promise to switch from using plastic bubble mailers and air pillows to all recyclable paper packaging for its shipments. According to The Verge, the company recently outfitted one facility in Euclid, Ohio, with an upgraded packaging machine that can automatically fold custom-fit boxes to wrap some products, use paper mailers for small items, and slide in paper fillers instead of plastic ones in standard boxes.
Still, there is no timeline for when Amazon will convert all packaging in the U.S. to recyclable materials as it has done in Europe.
Beauty is a Top Seller on Amazon
During Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days sales event in October, beauty was a popular category for shoppers, with 22% of shoppers buying beauty products.NIQ reports that beauty was among the top purchased categories for the event, behind only clothes and tech & gadgets.
