Amazon Eliminates Plastic Air Pillows in Fulfillment Centers Globally

In a major step towards reducing plastic waste, Amazon has officially removed plastic air pillows from its packaging processes across its global fulfillment centers. As of October 2024, the company announced that all plastic air-filled pillows, commonly used in delivery packages for cushioning, are no longer being used.

A Move Towards Sustainability

Amazon’s decision to ditch plastic air pillows comes in response to growing environmental concerns over plastic pollution, particularly its harmful effects on oceans and marine life. The e-commerce giant shared the news in a blog post on October 9th, 2024, stating, “We’ve removed all plastic air pillows from our delivery packaging used at our global fulfillment centers.”

This is a significant change for Amazon, which has faced criticism from environmental groups for its use of single-use plastics. In recent years, organizations like Oceana have pushed companies, especially large e-commerce platforms, to reduce their plastic footprint.

Positive Impact on the Environment

Environmental advocates have welcomed this change. According to Oceana, plastic film—used in those air pillows—is one of the most common forms of plastic pollution near coastlines and poses serious risks to marine animals like dolphins and whales. These animals may mistake plastic for food, leading to ingestion that can be deadly.

Matt Littlejohn, Senior Vice President of Strategic Initiatives at Oceana, praised Amazon’s initiative, stating, “The fact that the world’s largest e-commerce company has made plastic air pillows history globally is fantastic news for the world’s oceans.”

A Global Commitment

Amazon’s efforts to eliminate plastic air pillows started regionally before expanding worldwide. The company first replaced plastic film packaging in India back in 2020 and switched to paper and cardboard alternatives in Europe by 2022. In North America, the company pledged in June 2024 to phase out plastic air pillows by the end of the year, and the recent announcement marks the fulfillment of that promise.

Challenges Remain in North America

While the removal of plastic air pillows is a major achievement, Amazon acknowledges that it still faces challenges in reducing overall plastic usage in North America. The company has set a goal to reduce deliveries containing “Amazon-added plastic delivery packaging” to one-third of shipments by December 2024, down from two-thirds in December 2023.

This reduction includes not just air pillows but also other plastic elements, such as single-use delivery bags, which the company is gradually replacing with more sustainable materials like paper and cardboard.

A Step in the Right Direction

Amazon’s elimination of plastic air pillows is part of a broader commitment to sustainability. The company has been rolling out various initiatives to minimize its environmental impact, including investments in renewable energy and efforts to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2040. However, the removal of single-use plastics remains a key focus, especially in markets like the US, which is Amazon’s largest customer base.

Conclusion

Amazon’s decision to stop using plastic air pillows in its global fulfillment centers marks a significant shift towards more eco-friendly packaging. As the company continues to reduce its reliance on single-use plastics, this move represents an important step in curbing plastic pollution and protecting marine life.

For customers, this means future deliveries will likely come in more sustainable, paper-based packaging—a small but impactful change for a greener planet.