Explore 2023 Report
Sustainability

Packaging innovation

Our customers want right-sized, recyclable packaging that minimizes waste and ensures damage-free delivery. As we work to eliminate unnecessary packaging, we’re optimizing the type, material, and weight of additional packaging when it’s needed to deliver products safely. We’re also increasing the recyclability of our packaging to make recycling easy for our customers.

Learn how to recycle your Amazon packaging  

Progress

9% decrease in average single-use plastic packaging weight per shipment across our global operations network compared to 2022

43% reduction in average per-shipment packaging weight in the U.S., Canada, and the EU since 2015

80K+ metric tons of single-use plastic packaging avoided globally since 2020

Neatly wound cylinders of paper rolls.

Our approach

We continually work to reinvent and simplify our packaging options using a science-based approach that combines lab testing, machine learning, materials science, and manufacturing partnerships. Our first priority is to eliminate unnecessary packaging altogether by partnering with suppliers and manufacturers to avoid the need for additional Amazon packaging.

When additional packaging is required, we optimize with lighter, right-sized options that reduce waste and carbon, while ensuring products arrive safely. We strive to use materials that are curbside recyclable and have a lower carbon footprint. We also partner with industry peers to create and scale solutions across the packaging supply chain.

Machine learning

We use machine learning algorithms to determine the most efficient packaging for each order we fulfill. Machine learning algorithms also help us determine the best fit for orders with multiple items, so we can decrease empty space in boxes. Optimized shipments require less space in the vehicles that deliver packages to our customers, helping reduce the number of vehicles on the road.
A person uses a machine to assemble packaging around a product.

Eliminating packaging

We strive to keep our packaging lightweight and minimal while ensuring deliveries reach customers without damage.

[01]

A view from above shows a person looking down at a recyclable Amazon package.
  • Sometimes the best solution is to use what already exists. Through our SIPP program, eligible items are delivered in the original manufacturer’s packaging without additional Amazon packaging. This allows us to avoid unnecessary packaging altogether and reduce the weight of deliveries. We’re expanding this program by identifying, evaluating, and certifying items already packaged in materials suitable for shipping. We also encourage selling partners and vendors to re-engineer packaging to meet SIPP standards.
    • 12% of packages globally shipped without additional Amazon packaging in 2023
    • ~12M products qualified for the Ships in Product Packaging program in 2023
  • To ensure groceries ordered from Amazon Fresh and Whole Foods Market arrive in good condition, we look for ways to protect products during delivery while minimizing our packaging footprint. For example, daily variable insulation is a practice that tracks and adjusts the amount of insulation packaging used in deliveries in North America to ensure it's used only when temperatures exceed a specific threshold.
    • 1,180 metric tons of Amazon Fresh packaging avoided in 2023
    • 1,300 metric tons of Whole Foods Market packaging avoided in 2023

Reducing plastics

We're working to reduce our use of plastic for easily recyclable alternatives. We're also working on innovations and solutions to avoid single-use plastics.

Explore global highlights

World map

Europe

In 2023, we announced that 100% of delivery packaging in Europe—the boxes, bags, and envelopes needed to get products to customers—was household recyclable, including for items sold by Amazon and third-party selling partners that use Fulfillment by Amazon. In total, 87 European fulfillment centers have stopped using plastic packaging for deliveries.

India

Since we replaced thin-film single-use plastic packaging material with paper- and cardboard-based packaging across our India fulfillment network in 2019, we have avoided a total of 9,100 metric tons of plastic packaging in the country. In addition, 100% of delivery packaging material is household recyclable in India as of the end of 2023.

Japan

99.5% of delivery packaging material is household recyclable as of the end of 2023. We anticipate that all sites in Japan will participate in this program by the end of 2024. In 2023, we removed plastic shrink-wrap film and replaced plastic cushioning materials, such as air pillows, with paper-based dunnage in Japan, except when packaging fragile items and gift packages. We're also in the process of switching from plastic packaging tape to paper tape.

Brazil

We stopped using dunnage, including air pillows, in most boxes. When we do still need to use dunnage to secure products during shipping, we’re increasing our use of packaging made with recycled materials. For larger shipments that require dunnage, we are working toward replacing air pillows with paper alternatives.

Egypt

We stopped using dunnage, including air pillows, in most boxes. When we do still need to use dunnage to secure products during shipping, we’re increasing our use of packaging made with recycled materials. For larger shipments that require dunnage, we are working toward replacing air pillows with paper alternatives.

Mexico

We stopped using dunnage, including air pillows, in most boxes. When we do still need to use dunnage to secure products during shipping, we’re increasing our use of packaging made with recycled materials. For larger shipments that require dunnage, we are working toward replacing air pillows with paper alternatives.

Saudi Arabia

We stopped using dunnage, including air pillows, in most boxes. When we do still need to use dunnage to secure products during shipping, we’re increasing our use of packaging made with recycled materials. For larger shipments that require dunnage, we are working toward replacing air pillows with paper alternatives.

United Arab Emirates

We stopped using dunnage, including air pillows, in most boxes. When we do still need to use dunnage to secure products during shipping, we’re increasing our use of packaging made with recycled materials. For larger shipments that require dunnage, we are working toward replacing air pillows with paper alternatives.

United States and Canada

In 2023, we expanded our use of household-recyclable paper-padded bags across the U.S. and Canada, replacing 99.7% of padded bags containing both plastic and paper. This change helped us avoid nearly 41,600 metric tons of single-use plastic since 2020. We also transitioned 13 fulfillment centers from plastic to paper for dunnage, the durable packing material used to protect goods during shipping.

Improving recyclability

We’re innovating packaging materials for easy customer recycling, and phasing out padded bags containing plastics in favor of recyclable alternatives. We partner with industry peers and expert organizations, such as the Sustainable Packaging Coalition, to improve recycling infrastructure.

  • Neatly wound rolls of paper material.

    99.7% of mixed-material mailers, which contain both plastic and paper, replaced with recyclable paper alternatives in the U.S and Canada

  • Stacks of flattened Amazon cardboard boxes.

    100% of packaging material in Europe and India is household recyclable

  • Hands are shown placing packaging material inside a cardboard box.

    100% of outbound plastic delivery packaging was replaced with 100% household-recyclable paper filler at Amazon’s first U.S. automated fulfillment center, in Euclid, Ohio

An Amazon device is shown from above on a cluttered table.

Reducing device packaging

Our strategy to optimize and increase the recyclability of packaging extends to our devices. We remain committed to using recyclable device packaging and to inventing recyclable solutions for heavier items that properly protect the device while maintaining our high bar for quality.
Explore Amazon devices  

Our 2023 delivery packaging breakdown

12%

Ships in Product Packaging

50%

flexible packaging (padded and unpadded)

38%

corrugated boxes

Learn more about how we’re eliminating waste by reusing, repairing, and recycling.

Explore reducing waste & packaging
A person uses a machine to assemble packaging around a product.
Neatly wound rolls of paper material.

Discover the latest in packaging

1 3

Article author image

Transcript