Sustainable packaging

Amazon Australia recently announced it 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, this means customers are now receiving orders from Amazon Australia’s distribution network in a recyclable box, bag or envelope that can go straight 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).

The company has right-sized 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 it reduced box weights 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 was a major milestone for Amazon.

“We have removed all single-use plastic delivery bags and envelopes from our local distribution network,” she said. “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.”

As part of its ongoing commitment to reduce packaging, Amazon Australia recently invested in three automated paper packaging machines that pack single products in paper bags that are 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. The paper packaging features a uniquely Australian artwork design with eucalyptus leaves and hidden native wildlife.

Globally since 2015, Amazon has reduced the weight of outbound packaging per shipment by 43% on average and avoided more than 3 million metric tons of packaging material. Since 2021, the number of products shipped without additional Amazon packaging has more than tripled in Australia.