A report from Oceana reveals that Amazon’s plastic waste in the US has continued to grow, despite the company making pledges to reduce plastic packaging. In 2022 alone, Amazon produced 208 million pounds of plastic waste, which is enough to circle the Earth more than 200 times in the form of plastic air pillows. This represents a nearly 10 percent increase from the previous year. While Amazon has globally reduced its use of plastic packaging by 11.6 percent, the US remains a concerning outlier, with Oceana questioning why American customers are being left behind in terms of sustainability efforts.
Amazon’s lack of transparency on the amount of plastic waste it generates from place to place makes it difficult to track progress. The company’s latest sustainability report does not break down data by country and does not include plastic waste generated by third-party sellers. Oceana relied on market data from Mordor Intelligence and Euromonitor to conduct its analysis, making adjustments based on Amazon’s public statements about waste reduction measures. In response to Oceana’s findings, Amazon’s vice president of mechatronics and sustainable packaging, Pat Lindner, dismissed the report as misleading and inaccurate, citing the company’s efforts to eliminate plastic delivery packaging from US automated fulfillment centers.
Plastic film bags used by Amazon for packaging are not typically accepted in curbside recycling programs, posing a challenge for consumers looking to divert plastic waste from landfills and incinerators. While Amazon vaguely committed to phasing out some plastic packaging in July of last year, no timeline was provided for this transition. Oceana is urging the company to eliminate plastic packaging in the US and reduce the total amount of plastic packaging used by at least one-third by the end of the decade. The organization is calling on Amazon to prioritize sustainability efforts in its largest market, where significant progress is needed to address the growing plastic waste issue.
The report sheds light on the challenges of managing plastic waste in the e-commerce industry, where packaging plays a crucial role in protecting products during shipping. As consumers increasingly turn to online shopping, the environmental impact of plastic packaging is becoming more pronounced. Amazon’s role as a leading e-commerce giant makes it a key player in shaping sustainable practices within the industry. Oceana’s findings underscore the need for greater transparency and accountability in tracking and reducing plastic waste, particularly in regions where environmental regulations may be lacking or insufficient.
Efforts to address plastic waste extend beyond Amazon to include the broader supply chain, from manufacturers to consumers. Businesses, governments, and individuals all have a role to play in reducing plastic pollution and transitioning to more sustainable packaging alternatives. Collaboration between stakeholders is essential to driving meaningful change and achieving more ambitious environmental goals. By raising awareness of the impact of plastic waste and advocating for concrete actions, organizations like Oceana can help drive the transition towards a more circular economy and a cleaner, healthier planet for future generations.