Amazon Australia has stopped packing products in single-use plastic delivery bags and envelopes, replacing them with recyclable paper and cardboard alternatives.

Coupled with Amazon’s existing suite of recyclable boxes and tape, this means customers are now receiving orders from Amazon Australia’s distribution network in a recyclable box, bag or envelope that can go straight into the household recycling bin, or with no added delivery packaging.

This includes items sold by Amazon Australia and third-party selling partners that use Fulfilment by Amazon (FBA).

The company said it has right-sized packages to match the products using less material overall, and increased the amount of recycled content that goes into making them.

In 2021, Amazon Australia replaced single-use plastic air pillows with recyclable paper filler to protect goods during shipping, and in 2023 it reduced box weights by 25 per cent and label sizes by 50 per cent, to minimise waste. 

Amazon Australia country manager Janet Menzies said, “Moving to 100 per cent recyclable delivery packaging in Australia is a major milestone for us.

“We have removed all single-use plastic delivery bags and envelopes from our local distribution network. Customers are now able to easily recycle all their Amazon delivery packaging by placing it in their recycling bins.

“This project has been almost two years in the making, following a rigorous process of product development and testing to ensure the paper envelopes can also withstand the delivery process and customer orders arrive safely. 

“We are proud of this progress but it’s just the beginning and we will keep innovating to improve our packaging.” 

As part of its ongoing commitment to reduce packaging, Amazon Australia recently invested in three automated paper packaging machines that pack single products in paper bags that are made on demand for the item.

An Amazon innovation, these machines scan items such as video games, kitchen gadgets, sports equipment, and office supplies – which were previously sent in boxes or plastic padded envelopes – and securely pack them in a paper bag from a selection of three different size options.

Amazon said these unpadded, durable and flexible paper bags are up to 77 per cent lighter than similar-sized plastic padded envelopes and help optimise and reduce packaging weight and shipped air, minimising waste while maintaining security. The paper packaging features a uniquely Australian artwork design with eucalyptus leaves and hidden native wildlife. 

Additionally, the Amazon ‘Ships in Product Packaging’ program is another way Amazon is delivering an increasing number of essential items – such as nappies, toilet rolls and cases of drinks – to Australian shoppers without additional delivery packaging, such as a box or paper bag.

Eligible items are shipped in the manufacturer’s original packaging with just an address label added, avoiding unnecessary material use and reducing the weight of deliveries.

However, Amazon said there are still a few instances where customers in Australia may receive packages in plastic packaging: 

• While Amazon controls the packaging for items shipped to customers direct from its own fulfilment centres, third party sellers can ship directly to customers themselves, in which case Amazon does not control the packaging. Amazon shares its expertise on alternative packaging options and encourages sellers to use them. 
• Plastic preparation material such as bubble wrap may still be used where necessary, for example to protect fragile items like glass or to seal liquid products such as shampoo and soaps.
• When a product comes in a single-use plastic bag from the manufacturer and the bag is suitable, Amazon will deliver the product to the customer in the manufacturer-supplied bag. This avoids the addition of extra packaging. 

Amazon said globally, since 2015, it has reduced the weight of outbound packaging per shipment by 43 per cent on average, and avoided more than three million metric tonnes of packaging material. Since 2021, the number of products shipped without additional Amazon packaging has more than tripled in Australia. 

Australian Packaging Covenant CEO Chris Foley said, “Australians generate 1.2 million tonnes of plastic packaging each year, with single-use plastics posing a significant challenge. Amazon’s decision to replace plastic delivery bags with recyclable alternatives highlights their strong commitment to more circular packaging practices.

“This initiative showcases their ability to pivot towards solutions that are not only better for the environment but also aligned with the growing demand for more readily recyclable materials.”

Packaging is just one area Amazon is innovating and investing in – the company is also the co-founder of and the first signatory to The Climate Pledge, a commitment to reach net-zero carbon across its operations by 2040.

As part of this, Amazon has recently reached its goal to match 100 per cent of the electricity used by its global operations with renewable energy by 2030, seven years early.

Amazon has seven renewable energy projects in Australia including two solar farms in New South Wales, one in Queensland and a wind farm in Victoria. Once fully operational, together with the company’s warehouse rooftop solar initiatives, these projects are estimated to generate the equivalent energy needed to power more than 175,000 Australian homes.