Amazon is replacing plastic air pillows with recycled paper fillers in its packaging across North America, aiming to eliminate around 15 billion plastic pillows annually by the end of 2024.
The transition aims to reduce Amazon's dependence on plastic, prioritize 100% recyclable paper fillers that offer equal or better protection during shipping, and is easier to recycle and handle for workers.
Environmental groups recognize Amazon's efforts to switch to more sustainable options, while calling for further reductions in plastic packaging waste.
Amazon emphasizes customer item protection, waste reduction, and recyclable materials, aiming to minimize packaging waste through various initiatives, campaigns, and partnerships.
The company plans to disclose the impact of sustainable packaging changes in their next sustainability report, as part of their broader climate strategy aiming to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2040.
Sources: The New York Times, USA Today, CNBC, ABC News, Axios, Fast Company, The Washington Times, TechRadar, The Verge, The Epoch Times, Benzinga, Yahoo, Times of India, The Straits Times
This article was written in collaboration with Generative AI news company Alchemiq.
