Amazon packaging reduces 181,000 tons of material
Amazon’s ‘frustration-free packaging’ has eliminated 181,000 tons of packaging material since it was first introduced ten years ago, according to the retailer.
The retailer said that the 100 per cent recyclable packaging, designed to reduce waste and be easily opened, has ended “customer “wrap rage” by removing plastic bindings, wire ties, and clamshell casings – making boxes simple to open.” The retailer also said the packaging is great for the environment because products are shipped in their original packaging, which eliminates the need for an additional shipping box.
However there have been a number of reports of customers receiving their Amazon parcels with excessive packaging. In some cases small items have been sent in large boxes, filled up with packaging paper. Today (21st November) ‘The Metro’ reported that a customer received his order of bubble wrap from Amazon encased in a huge cardboard box with ‘100ft of brown paper’.
“A decade ago we set out to invent packaging that is easy for customers to open, eliminates waste, and ensures products arrive undamaged on our customers’ doorsteps,” said Kim Houchens, director of customer packaging experience at Amazon. “Our certified packaging programs, including Frustration-Free Packaging, have delighted tens of millions of customers around the globe – and we’re adding new products to these programs every day.”
The company said that one of the biggest challenges in e-commerce packaging is “designing it to be as compact as possible while ensuring that products arrive fully intact.”
It said it works with ‘manufacturers worldwide, helping them re-think and re-build their packaging, reducing waste throughout the supply chain while ensuring products are delivered to the customer undamaged.’