Amazon's packaging waste has a significant environmental impact, primarily due to the massive amounts of plastic packaging generated by the company. In 2020 alone, Amazon generated approximately 599 million pounds of plastic packaging waste, marking a 29% increase from the 465 million pounds estimated in 2019. This plastic includes items like air pillows, plastic mailers, and bubble wrap, much of which falls into the category of plastic filmâa material that is extremely difficult to recycle and is not accepted by most curbside recycling programs in major markets such as the United States and the United Kingdom. Oceana, an environmental advocacy group, estimated that up to 23.5 million pounds of Amazon's plastic packaging waste entered and polluted the world's waterways and oceans in 2020. This pollution is equivalent to dumping a delivery van payload of plastic into the oceans every 67 minutes.
The environmental hazard posed by this plastic waste extends beyond just its presence in waterways. Plastic pollution harms marine life severely; sea turtles and other ocean animals often mistake plastic debris for food, which can prove fatal. The plastics used by Amazon, especially the non-recyclable plastic films, end up as the most common and harmful types of marine litter. This pervasive pollution contributes to the degradation of ocean ecosystems, threatening biodiversity and the health of marine species. Recent studies have found that more than 2,200 marine species now ingest plastic, with many suffering negative health impacts.
Amazon's plastic packaging waste also contributes significantly to the global climate crisis. The lifecycle of plasticâfrom raw material extraction, largely relying on fossil fuels or ethane derived from hydrofractured gas, through manufacturing, transportation, to disposalâreleases substantial greenhouse gases. In fact, if plastic waste were considered as a country, it would rank as the fifth largest greenhouse gas emitter worldwide. Amazon's carbon footprint increased by 6.77 million metric tons in 2019, to a total of 51.17 million metric tons of CO2 equivalent, with packaging emissions embedded in broader indirect emissions. The company's shift towards flexible plastic mailers, which are lighter but harder to recycle than cardboard, has resulted in increased plastic use, thereby fueling climate change by continued reliance on petrochemicals.
Recycling challenges compound the environmental impact of Amazon's plastic packaging. Most of the plastic packaging used by Amazon is plastic film, which is notoriously hard to recycle through ordinary municipal collection programs. Research by Oceana shows that more than 40% of designated recycling locations listed in Amazon's instructions do not accept their plastic packaging, and most customers have to make special trips to drop off these materials, which itself consumes fossil fuels. Despite being labeled as recyclable by Amazon, these materials often end up in landfills or incinerators due to the lack of accessible recycling infrastructure.
The accumulation of microplastics and nanoplastics, which result from the slow degradation of plastic packaging, is another grave environmental concern. These smaller plastic particles contaminate soil, freshwater, and marine environments and even enter food chains, affecting human health. Toxic additives in plastics, such as PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), carcinogens like benzene, and other chemicals, can cause severe health issues in humans and wildlife. A recent study has estimated the healthcare costs related to plastic additives in the United States alone at $249 billion annually. Thus, the plastic packaging waste crisis overlaps crucially with public health and environmental justice concerns.
Amazon's plastic pollution problem also highlights issues of corporate transparency and responsibility. The company does not fully disclose detailed figures regarding its plastic packaging footprint in its sustainability reports. While Amazon has pledged to reduce packaging weight and improve sustainability, most reductions have focused on weight rather than eliminating plastic or switching to materials that are facile for recycling. The company's "Shipment Zero" program, which aims for carbon-neutral shipments and the option for plastic-free packaging, remains limited primarily to markets outside the United States, such as India, where Amazon has successfully eliminated single-use plastic packaging, replacing it with 100% recyclable paper and cardboard alternatives. Amazon's inconsistent global approach, especially the lag in the US market, has drawn criticism from environmental groups and shareholders urging the company to implement broader plastic reduction strategies universally.
With the surge in e-commerce, especially accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, the volume of packaging waste has increased drastically. Packaging waste accounts for nearly 40% of global plastic waste, and with Amazon dominating the global e-commerce market, its practices significantly influence the scale of the problem. In 2021, Amazon produced about 709 million pounds of plastic packaging waste globally, with approximately 26 million pounds believed to end up in oceans and waterways. The increase in sales and shipments directly correlates with increased packaging waste, exacerbating environmental degradation.
Environmental organizations and customers are increasingly pushing Amazon to reduce its plastic footprint. Surveys indicate that around 95% of Amazon Prime customers are concerned about plastic pollution, and 91% want the company to reduce plastic packaging use. Over 740,000 customers have signed petitions calling for plastic-free packaging options at checkout. Shareholders have also demanded increased transparency and action on plastic waste, with nearly half voting for stronger company commitments to reduce plastic use. These societal pressures contribute to moves made by Amazon, such as the decision to stop using plastic air pillows, which are non-biodegradable and a major source of pollution. Instead, Amazon is transitioning to recycled paper fillers to reduce plastic use in packaging in some markets.
In summary, Amazon's packaging waste poses severe environmental challenges including oceanic pollution, threats to marine biodiversity, growing greenhouse gas emissions, recycling difficulties, and public health risks from plastics. While the company has made some strides in specific markets and announced reduction initiatives, the overall plastic footprint remains large and problematic due to increasing e-commerce demand, inconsistent implementation of sustainable practices, and the inherent difficulties of plastic recycling infrastructure. The crisis highlights the urgent need for Amazon and similar major e-commerce companies to adopt strong, universal policies to eliminate single-use plastics, increase transparency, and transition to truly sustainable packaging solutions worldwide.