Amazon has taken a small step towards fulfilling its promise of using recyclable paper packaging instead of plastic for its shipments. The company has equipped one of its facilities in Euclid, Ohio with a packaging machine that can automatically fold custom-fit boxes, utilize paper mailers for small items, and replace plastic fillers with paper ones in standard boxes. This move is aimed at reducing Amazon’s plastic waste and preventing plastic pollution from reaching the seas. However, there are concerns about Amazon’s commitment to ending plastic use in the US, its largest market, compared to the commitments it has made for other markets such as the UK and Germany. Amazon has not provided a clear, quantifiable, and time-bound commitment for reducing plastic in the US, leaving doubts about the extent of the actual plastic reduction.
While Amazon’s transition to curbside recyclable packaging is a positive step, there are doubts about the company’s dedication to ending plastic use in the US. Matt Littlejohn, senior vice president of Oceana, questions Amazon’s commitment compared to the specific commitments it has made for other markets. Amazon has stated that the move to recyclable paper in US warehouses will be a “multiyear effort,” but it has not provided concrete details about when and how much plastic reduction will actually occur. Littlejohn emphasizes the importance of clear, quantifiable, and time-bound commitments to ensure meaningful action against plastic pollution.
The upgrade of the packaging machine in the Euclid facility reflects Amazon’s efforts to reduce its plastic waste and decrease its environmental impact. By using custom-fit boxes, paper mailers, and paper fillers, Amazon aims to promote curbside recyclable packaging and minimize plastic pollution that can end up in the oceans. However, without a clear plan for reducing plastic use in the US, doubts remain about the overall effectiveness of Amazon’s efforts. It remains to be seen how Amazon will tackle the issue of plastic waste in its largest market and whether it will match the commitments made for other regions.
