Amazon, despite its promises to reduce plastic packaging, has seen an increase in plastic waste in the US. According to a report from the nonprofit organization Oceana, Amazon generated a staggering 208 million pounds of plastic waste from its packaging in the US in 2022. This marks a significant 10 percent jump from the previous year, painting a concerning picture of the e-commerce giant’s environmental impact.
While Amazon claims to have reduced its use of plastic packaging globally by 11.6 percent in 2022, the US remains a troubling outlier. Oceana emphasizes that the US is Amazon’s largest market and highlights the need for the company to make more substantial progress in reducing plastic waste. The organization questions why US customers are seemingly left behind in Amazon’s sustainability efforts.
One of the major challenges in assessing Amazon’s plastic waste footprint is the lack of transparency surrounding the data. The company’s sustainability report for 2022 does not provide a breakdown of plastic waste by country, nor does it account for the plastic waste generated by orders fulfilled by third-party sellers. Oceana had to rely on market data and public statements from Amazon to conduct its analysis, revealing potential gaps in accountability.
In response to Oceana’s report, Amazon’s vice president of mechatronics and sustainable packaging dismissed the findings as misleading and exaggerated. However, the company has made some strides in reducing plastic waste, such as eliminating single-use plastic delivery bags in Europe and India. The shift towards paper alternatives in fulfillment centers shows progress, albeit at a slower pace in the US.
One of the key issues with Amazon’s plastic waste lies in the recycling process. Plastic film bags, commonly used for packaging, are not easily recyclable through curbside programs. This poses a challenge for consumers who wish to divert plastic waste from landfills and incinerators, as they would need to seek out designated drop-off locations to recycle these materials.
Oceana advocates for Amazon to phase out plastic packaging in the US, urging the company to prioritize sustainability in its home base. While Amazon has made commitments to ditch certain types of plastic packaging, such as padded bags containing plastics, the organization calls for a more comprehensive timeline for these changes to take effect. Moving forward, it is crucial for Amazon to address its plastic waste impact and take concrete steps towards a more sustainable future.