Amazon Australia has stopped packing products in single-use plastic delivery bags and envelopes, replacing them with recyclable paper and cardboard alternatives.
Coupled with Amazon’s existing suite of recyclable boxes and tape, customers are now receiving orders from Amazon Australia’s distribution network in a recyclable box, bag or envelope that can be put into the household recycling bin, or with no added delivery packaging. This includes items sold by Amazon Australia and third-party selling partners that use Fulfilment by Amazon (FBA).
From cardboard boxes to flexible paper bags, Amazon is working to improve its packaging, including right-sizing packages to match the products using less material overall, and increased the amount of recycled content that goes into making them.
In 2021, Amazon Australia replaced single-use plastic air pillows with recyclable paper filler to protect goods during shipping, and in 2023, box weights were reduced by 25% and label sizes by 50%, to minimise waste.
Amazon Australia country manager, Janet Menzies said, “Moving to 100% recyclable delivery packaging in Australia is a major milestone for us. We have removed all single-use plastic delivery bags and envelopes from our local distribution network. Customers are now able to easily recycle all their Amazon delivery packaging by placing it in their recycling bins.
“This project has been almost two years in the making, following a rigorous process of product development and testing to ensure the paper envelopes can also withstand the delivery process and customer orders arrive safely. We are proud of this progress but it’s just the beginning and we will keep innovating to improve our packaging.”
Amazon Australia recently invested in three automated paper packaging machines that pack single products in paper bags made on demand for the item. An Amazon innovation, these machines scan items such as video games, kitchen gadgets, sports equipment, and office supplies, which were previously sent in boxes or plastic padded envelopes, and securely pack them in a paper bag from a selection of three different size options.
These unpadded, durable and flexible paper bags are up to 77% lighter than similar-sized plastic padded envelopes and help optimise and reduce packaging weight and shipped air, minimising waste while maintaining security.
There are still a few instances where customers in Australia may receive packages in plastic packaging. While Amazon controls the packaging for items shipped to customers direct from its own fulfilment centres, third party sellers can ship directly to customers themselves, in which case Amazon does not control the packaging.
Plastic preparation material such as bubble wrap may still be used where necessary to protect fragile items like glass or to seal liquid products such as shampoo and soaps. When a product comes in a single-use plastic bag from the manufacturer and the bag is suitable, Amazon will deliver the product to the customer in the manufacturer-supplied bag to avoid the addition of extra packaging.