…and 100% Recyclable at Amazon in Europe

Amazon has announced that its fulfillment operations are now fully 100% regarding recyclable delivery packaging. European deliveries are packed in recyclable paper bags, cardboard envelopes, and boxes or no added packaging. According to Amazon, this includes items sold by Amazon and third-party selling partners that use Fulfilment by Amazon.

From now on, European customers will receive packages in 100% recyclable paper or cardboard packaging, which is easily recyclable in household recycling across Europe. If possible, products are shipped without any additional packaging. When packaging is still required, the company aims to use lighter, appropriately sized packaging to reduce waste and carbon, while ensuring products arrive safely. For every shipment that requires packaging, the company uses science-based systems to determine the type and size of packaging needed.

Machine learning helps determine which smaller products are suitable for flexible packaging, such as paper bags, which are up to 90% lighter than similar-sized boxes. Over the past five years, these algorithms have reduced the use of cardboard boxes by over 35%, according to the company. It also uses algorithms to help its fulfilment centres maintain the right mix of box sizes and to reduce packaging for shipments with multiple items.