A recent report from the nonprofit conservation organization Oceana has shed light on Amazon’s increasing plastic waste production in the US. Despite the company’s pledges to reduce plastic packaging, it has been estimated that Amazon generated a staggering 208 million pounds of plastic waste in the US in 2022 alone. This amount of trash could circle the Earth more than 200 times in the form of plastic air pillows, marking a nearly 10 percent increase from the previous year.
While Amazon claims to have reduced its use of plastic packaging globally by 11.6 percent in 2022 compared to the previous year, the US remains a significant outlier. Oceana emphasizes the need for Amazon to make more progress in its largest market. The lack of transparency regarding the breakdown of plastic waste by country in Amazon’s latest sustainability report raises concerns about the company’s environmental impact.
Amazon’s vice president of mechatronics and sustainable packaging, Pat Lindner, dismissed Oceana’s report as misleading and inaccurate. Despite efforts to eliminate single-use plastic delivery bags in Europe and India, the transition has been slower in the US. The company’s vague commitment to phase out plastic packaging without a set timeline has also been met with criticism from environmental advocates.
Oceana is calling on Amazon to take more decisive steps to reduce its plastic waste output in the US. With plastic film bags being difficult to recycle through curbside programs, consumers are left with limited options to divert these materials from landfills and incinerators. The environmental organization aims to hold Amazon accountable for its plastic waste generation and urges the company to prioritize sustainable packaging solutions.
Looking Ahead
As concerns over plastic pollution continue to grow, Amazon faces increasing pressure to address its environmental footprint. The company’s efforts to phase out plastic packaging and adopt recyclable alternatives are steps in the right direction, but more substantial actions are needed to combat the escalating issue of plastic waste in the US. It is crucial for Amazon to align its sustainability goals with concrete actions that reflect a genuine commitment to reducing plastic pollution.
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