In a groundbreaking move, Amazon has announced that it will no longer use plastic air pillows in its delivery boxes, aligning itself with other major companies in reducing plastic waste.
Amazon revealed that it currently ships an astonishing 15 billion plastic pillows annually, making this decision the largest plastic packaging reduction effort in North America. The company has already phased out the use of plastic pillows in 95% of deliveries, with plans to completely eliminate them by the end of the year.
To replace the plastic pillows, Amazon will now use a new paper filler made from 100% recycled content. The company assures customers that this eco-friendly alternative provides the same level of protection, if not better, for their products.
This announcement comes just in time for Prime Day, the annual shopping extravaganza in July. Amazon has stated that nearly all Prime Day deliveries will be free of plastic air pillows, showcasing their commitment to sustainability.
In addition to North America, Amazon has also ceased using plastic pillows in other regions such as Australia, India, and various European countries in recent years. This shift has led to a significant 12% reduction in plastic usage in 2023 compared to the previous year.
Despite Amazon’s efforts, pollution from single-use plastic remains a pressing issue. A recent report highlighted that companies are producing record amounts of plastic, largely derived from harmful fossil fuels.
Advocacy group Oceana, which has been vocal about Amazon’s plastic usage, commended the company for this “significant step forward.” However, they emphasized the importance of Amazon continuing to fulfill its commitment to transitioning away from plastic in its North America fulfillment centers.
Matt Littlejohn, Oceana’s senior vice president of Strategic Initiatives, urged Amazon to expand its efforts and explore innovations like reusable packaging to reduce single-use plastic across all its operations.
