We know customers care about the packaging used to ship their Amazon orders. Customers want orders delivered in right-sized, easily recyclable packaging that makes sure the product arrives in great condition, and minimises its impact on the environment. At Amazon, we care deeply about our packaging achieving both of these goals, and we have teams of scientists and other experts who are constantly working to reinvent how products are shipped for the good of customers and the planet.
The materials most commonly used in packaging by all kinds of companies have been the same for decades – ranging from paper and plastic, to aluminum and glass. Like most other retailers, we leverage a variety of packaging options for product shipping to optimise for strong durability, light weight, and optimal size, including paper-based options, such as boxes and paperboard envelopes—and plastics, such as envelopes and bags. Many retailers adopted plastics for some shipments because they are lightweight, waterproof, and enable less material to be used. And, because they are light and compact, plastic packaging has generally resulted in lower carbon emissions.
However, plastics, especially single-use plastics, are difficult to recycle so are more likely to create waste in the long term. Although the plastic packaging Amazon uses today is recyclable, it generally requires our customers to take the materials from their homes to store drop-off locations. As a company that obsesses about our customers, we recognise it’s not the easiest customer experience. This has created a challenge that Amazon is taking head on—how to continue to find ways to minimise carbon emissions, increase recyclability, and reduce waste.
One of our first priorities has been to eliminate the use of additional Amazon packaging altogether. Over the last several years, we’ve innovated and invested in technologies, processes, and materials that have helped avoid the use of more than 4 million metric tons of packaging materials since 2015.
In 2024, we reduced our total plastic packaging by 16.4% across our global operations.
While we are making progress, we’re not satisfied. We have work to do to continue to reduce packaging, particularly plastic packaging that’s harder to recycle, and are undertaking a range of initiatives to do so.
Right-sized packaging
First, we’re working to use as little packaging as possible while ensuring a damage-free delivery. Machine learning helps us determine which products are suitable for flexible packaging.
As a result of our packaging reduction initiatives, more than 50% of Amazon's European shipments now come in reduced, recyclable delivery packaging, such as a paper bag or cardboard envelope—or, in the case of 1 billion shipments since 2019, no delivery packaging at all.
Lightweight paper bags used by Amazon are up to 90% lighter than similar-sized cardboard boxes.
Industry collaboration
Plastic packaging is also an industry-wide challenge, and we’re collaborating across the industry to help try to solve it. For example, in 2021, Amazon joined an initiative by the Department of Energy’s BOTTLE Consortium to focus on plastic pollution through innovation in materials and recycling.
As part of the consortium, Amazon’s team of materials scientists and experts are working to develop technologies and materials that will enable the full life cycle of plastics to be net-zero carbon, while also addressing plastic waste.
Committed to further progress
Compared to electric vehicles, green hydrogen, or the next generation of photovoltaics, packaging may seem rather mundane. But as you consider practical ways to minimise carbon emissions, eliminate waste, and increase recyclability, packaging is critical.
It’s the type of challenge that we thrive on at Amazon, and our dedicated teams are problem-solving how to execute solutions in different countries with varying complexities, simulating deliveries to discover ways to reduce packaging while protecting the product, and exploring innovative materials.
We will continue to provide progress updates in the future as we continue on our journey to reduce packaging and waste on behalf of customers and the planet.
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