Recycling

In addition to optimizing our recycling efforts for common materials like cardboard, we are working to address the materials that are toughest to recycle in our operations. Plastic film, for example, is a difficult material to process and recycle, and is not accepted by most curbside recycling programs. To address this gap, Amazon is launching plastic film recycling at more than 55 fulfillment centers across our network. Through this program, we expect to recycle more than 7,000 tons of plastic film per year, in addition to the 1,500 tons of plastic already being recycled annually in Europe.

We are also exploring alternative solutions for less common materials that cannot be recycled. In the UK, for example, we collect the silicone backing paper from shipping labels to convert into animal bedding. We are looking across our entire operations network to incorporate more of our own recycled plastic in products, packaging, and operational processes.