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Environmental activists have long urged Amazon to reduce the plastic used in shipping over 20 million packages daily. The company’s latest sustainability report indicates that it has responded, cutting its use of plastic packaging by more than a quarter in 2024. Single-use plastics dropped from 65% of shipments in 2023 to 37% in 2024, and the company avoided using 134 million plastic bags last year.
Pat Lindner, Amazon’s Vice President of Mechatronics and Sustainable Packaging, stated that since 2019, packaging engineers have been developing innovative paper-based solutions like recyclable paper padded mailers. After thorough testing to ensure product protection, these new solutions were implemented quickly. In 2024, plastic air pillows were removed from delivery packaging, and new automation allowed for wider use of paper bags in North America.
Conrad MacKerron, senior vice president at the nonprofit group As You Sow, provided another motivation: sustainability-minded shareholders. Starting in 2020, As You Sow campaigned to reduce Amazon’s plastic packaging through shareholder proposals calling for a commitment to reduce plastics and increase transparency on packaging. These proposals achieved support as high as 49%.
MacKerron noted that while Amazon resisted setting a public goal for plastic reduction, it began disclosing the volume of plastic used in shipping from 2023. He praised the company’s progress, saying, “To have those bags pretty much eliminated is great progress and shows some responsiveness by the company to this concern.”
Plastic waste has escalated into a global environmental and public health crisis, affecting waterways, marine wildlife, and causing concerns about microplastics and toxic components of plastics. Negotiators will meet in Geneva next month for talks on a global plastics treaty.
As You Sow continues its engagement with Amazon to encourage more transparency on the plastic used beyond shipping, such as food and beverage packaging at Whole Foods Market. While Whole Foods is working toward making 100% of its own packaging reusable, recyclable, or compostable, MacKerron notes that no significant progress has been made in reducing actual product packaging.
An Amazon representative told Newsweek that Whole Foods aims to make all its packaging reusable, recyclable, or compostable. The company also banned disposable plastic bags and straws at checkout and cafes.
MacKerron remains encouraged by the progress but advocates for setting a target and timetable: “We think pressure is good and helps keep them focused.”
📚 Reading Comprehension Quiz
According to the passage, what percentage of shipments used single-use plastics in 2024 compared to 2023?
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