Amazon Eliminates 95% of Plastic Air Pillows in North America
Amazon announced Thursday that it has removed 95% of the plastic air pillows from its packaging in North America, replacing them with paper fillers made from 100% recycled content. This massive shift represents Amazon’s largest plastic-packaging reduction effort, effectively eliminating nearly 15 billion plastic pillows annually.
"We are working towards full removal in North America by end of year and will continue to innovate, test, and scale in order to prioritize curbside recyclable materials," said Pat Lindner, VP of Mechatronics and Sustainable Packaging at Amazon.
This latest move builds upon Amazon’s commitment to sustainability. In October 2023, the company unveiled its first US automated fulfillment center that completely eliminated plastic delivery packaging. Through collaborations with suppliers, Amazon sourced paper fillers that are also curbside recyclable.
This isn’t Amazon’s first attempt to reduce packaging waste. In 2015, the company launched the Ships in Product Packaging program, designed to minimize the use of its iconic brown box by shipping products in their original packaging.
This decisive action by Amazon marks a significant step towards a more sustainable future. By eliminating plastic air pillows and embracing recycled paper fillers, Amazon demonstrates its dedication to reducing its environmental impact, setting a precedent for other e-commerce giants to follow.
