AMAZON has announced plans to stop using plastic air pillows in its North American shipments, replacing them with recycled paper packing, eliminating 15 billion pillows annually, reports the New York Times.
This move is part of Amazon's effort to reduce plastic pollution. Plastic film, a significant pollutant, is one of the most common forms of marine plastic litter, posing a threat to wildlife.
Unlike paper alternatives, plastic film is generally not compostable or recyclable in curbside programs.
Amazon's transition to paper packing is its largest plastic packaging reduction initiative to date.
Oceana, an ocean conservancy group, welcomed the news but urged further reductions in single-use plastic packaging, such as padded plastic envelopes.
The announcement covers the United States, Amazon's largest market, as well as Canada and Mexico, which together account for over 70 per cent of the retailer's global sales.
amazon has already replaced about 95 per cent of its plastic pillows with paper in these markets and aims to entirely eliminate them by the end of the year.
Amazon has been phasing out plastic air pillows in Australia and nearly all single-use plastic packaging in India and Europe.
In 2022, the company reported using almost 12% less plastic packaging globally compared to the previous year.
Environmental and consumer groups continue to advocate for reducing plastic packaging waste.
Earlier this year, groups supported a New York State bill aiming to cut plastic packaging use 50 per cent over 12 years by requiring manufacturers to find sustainable alternatives or pay a fee.
Similar legislation has been passed in California, Oregon, Maine and Colorado.
SeaNews Turkey
This move is part of Amazon's effort to reduce plastic pollution. Plastic film, a significant pollutant, is one of the most common forms of marine plastic litter, posing a threat to wildlife.
Unlike paper alternatives, plastic film is generally not compostable or recyclable in curbside programs.
Amazon's transition to paper packing is its largest plastic packaging reduction initiative to date.
Oceana, an ocean conservancy group, welcomed the news but urged further reductions in single-use plastic packaging, such as padded plastic envelopes.
The announcement covers the United States, Amazon's largest market, as well as Canada and Mexico, which together account for over 70 per cent of the retailer's global sales.
amazon has already replaced about 95 per cent of its plastic pillows with paper in these markets and aims to entirely eliminate them by the end of the year.
Amazon has been phasing out plastic air pillows in Australia and nearly all single-use plastic packaging in India and Europe.
In 2022, the company reported using almost 12% less plastic packaging globally compared to the previous year.
Environmental and consumer groups continue to advocate for reducing plastic packaging waste.
Earlier this year, groups supported a New York State bill aiming to cut plastic packaging use 50 per cent over 12 years by requiring manufacturers to find sustainable alternatives or pay a fee.
Similar legislation has been passed in California, Oregon, Maine and Colorado.
SeaNews Turkey
