In its commitment to reduce the use of single-use plastic throughout its global operation network, the American multinational technology company Amazon will phase out padded bags in favor of greener alternatives, thus reducing its plastic footprint.
“If Amazon follows through, this is good news for the oceans,” says Matt Littlejohn, Senior Vice President of Oceana. “This progress and commitment is a real win for all the shareholders, employees, citizens, and members of the Break Free From Plastic movement who called for the company to move away from single-use plastic.”
Amazon used a total of 85,916 metric tons of single-use plastic to ship its packages in 2022, down from 97,222 metric tons in 2021 for a decrease of 11.6%. Since its ever-present blue and white plastic mailer is not accepted by most curbside recycling programs, Amazon is looking to replace it with alternatives, including lightweight paper-padded mailers. The world’s largest retailer has already replaced 99% of mixed-material mailers containing plastic with recyclable paper alternatives in Canada and the United States, and no longer use plastic packaging in Europe, India, Japan, and Australia.
