Amazon: all European delivery packaging now 100% recyclable

Amazon has announced that all delivery packaging—encompassing boxes, bags, and envelopes—for European shipments is now 100% recyclable. This initiative extends to both Amazon-sold items and products from third-party partners utilising Fulfilment by Amazon (FBA).

European customers can now anticipate receiving their orders in flexible paper bags, cardboard envelopes, and corrugated cardboard boxes, all easily recyclable through household recycling systems. The past year has witnessed a 50% increase in the number of products shipped without additional packaging, marking a substantial effort to reduce environmental impact.

This commitment has contributed to avoiding the use of over one billion single-use plastic delivery bags in Amazon's European distribution network since 2019. The company collaborates with vendors to promote easy-to-open, original packaging made from recyclable materials, reducing the need for additional Amazon-branded bags or boxes.

Amazon's global teams employ a science-based approach to continually enhance packaging sustainability, leveraging new materials, processes, and technologies. Ongoing pilot programs in Europe include paper-only padded envelopes, reusable delivery bags, and incentives for partners to minimise packaging.

Machine learning algorithms play a crucial role in determining the appropriate type and size of packaging for each shipment. This includes using flexible options like paper bags for smaller products, reducing cardboard box usage by over 35% in the last five years. The company also utilises algorithms to optimise box sizes in fulfilment centres and minimise packaging for shipments with multiple items.

Pat Lindner, VP of Mechatronics and Sustainable Packaging at Amazon, said: We’re excited that our European fulfilment network is now using recyclable packaging for customer orders. This is part of our long-term work to be a leader in sustainability, and we’ll continue to invest in innovative technology, machine learning, and more sustainable materials to ensure packaging—whether used by us or other companies—is good for our customers, communities, and the planet.

Amazon says its commitment to sustainable packaging not only aligns with environmental goals but also reflects a dedication to innovation and operational efficiency in the delivery process.