Amazon\u2019s switch in North America from plastic film air-pillow cushioning to paper filler saves the company time and money. And, yes, it\u2019s better for the environment.<\/span><\/p>\n Amazon\u2019s change of cushioning material is a lucky confluence of sustainability and profitability. And should be a lesson for other companies looking to improve the bottom line and please consumers at the same time.<\/span><\/p>\n On June 20, Amazon announced that 95% of its ecommerce cushioning for packages shipped in boxes in North America is now paper filler. The expectation is that the company will be at 100% by end of year.<\/span><\/p>\n To date, this will be Amazon\u2019s largest plastic packaging reduction effort in North America and will eliminate nearly 15 billion plastic air pillows from about two billion shipments annually.<\/span><\/p>\n Amazon says this is another step in its multi-year journey to avoid and reduce packaging, specifically plastic packaging. The company tested the switch from plastic air pillows to paper filler at an automated fulfillment center in Ohio last fall. According to the company, lessons learned during that trial allowed Amazon to transition to paper filler for 95% of its shipments in North America in less than one year.<\/span><\/p>\n Amazon is replacing plastic air pillows with paper filler for several <\/span>sustainability<\/span><\/span> reasons:<\/span><\/p>\n \u2022 Consumers can easily recycle the paper filler through their curbside collection programs. This should translate into more shipping material being recycled.<\/span> But Amazon also realizes these <\/span>business improvements<\/span><\/span>:<\/span><\/p>\n \u2022 Packers can pack faster because the paper filler is easier to handle than the air pillows. It follows that facilities will be able to process more orders with the same staff.<\/span> All that being said, this move is hailed as a win for circularity.<\/span><\/p>\n Amazon has gotten significant press on this move, including a look at how the new paper filler is working inside one of Amazon\u2019s fulfillment facilities by <\/span>CBS News<\/a><\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n Packaging Digest<\/span><\/span> asked several questions itself, which a team of people at Amazon answered in this exclusive Q&A.<\/span><\/p>\n Amazon:<\/span><\/span> We are partnering with several packaging supply partners that use raw material from paper mills in North America made from 100% recycled content, from both post-industrial and post-consumer recycling for our paper filler.\u00a0We don\u2019t have the percentage breakdown to share.<\/span><\/p>\n Amazon:<\/span><\/span> One of the many places consumers can find information about what to do with their delivery packaging is <\/span>through this link<\/a><\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n Amazon:<\/span><\/span> Through our testing of paper filler\u2014which included an assessment by a third-party engineer lab \u2013 we were able to determine the amounts needed. Amazon employees were then trained on this. You can also find more info here on how Amazon is using AI to reduce packaging: <\/span>https:\/\/www.aboutamazon.com\/news\/sustainability\/amazon-sustainability-ai-reduce-packaging<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Amazon:<\/span><\/span> Yes.<\/span><\/p>\n Amazon:<\/span><\/span> Yes, we\u2019re working with several packaging supply partners throughout North America.<\/span><\/p>\n Amazon:<\/span><\/span> For our boxes, air pillows were the only material used as cushioning. 95% of those have been replaced and we\u2019re working towards full removal by end of year. So it will only be paper filler.<\/span><\/p>\n AMAZON<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Amazon:<\/span><\/span> When it comes to packaging, our priority is to reduce the amount of packaging and make it easier to recycle. We\u2019re always working backwards from our customer. Needing to take the plastic air pillows to a store drop-off isn\u2019t an ideal customer experience. Paper filler allows our customers to more easily recycle their packaging at home.<\/span><\/p>\n Amazon:<\/span><\/span> A lot of work went into reaching this significant milestone. In addition to replacing the plastic air pillow machinery,\u00a0fulfillment center employees had to be trained and we partnered with <\/span>Stress Engineering Services<\/a><\/span> (a third-party engineering design and analysis company) to evaluate the effectiveness of paper filler compared to plastic air pillows for protecting products and ensure the paper filler provided the same if not better protection than the plastic air pillows.\u00a0Additionally, the teams strategically created an implementation schedule to ensure we would be utilizing our current supply of plastic for air pillows.<\/span><\/p>\n Amazon:<\/span><\/span> Sustainability is good for business, it\u2019s what our customers want and we\u2019re always working backwards from the customer. We want to ensure the product gets to them undamaged \u2014 and from there we want to use less packaging and make it easier to recycle. Additionally, we do anticipate cost savings associated with the transition to paper filler as we\u2019re finding the equipment has less fees associated.<\/span><\/p>\n Amazon:<\/span><\/span> As a result of our testing with Stress Engineering Services, we\u2019ve found the paper filler can absorb impact better than the air pillows.<\/span><\/p>\n Paper filler is supplied in rolls to Amazon’s fulfillment centers. AMAZON<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Amazon:<\/span><\/span> [<\/span>As previously stated:<\/span><\/span> Sustainability is good for business, it\u2019s what our customers want and we\u2019re always working backwards from the customer. We want to ensure the product gets to them undamaged \u2014 and from there we want to use less packaging and make it easier to recycle.]<\/span><\/p>\n Additionally, we do anticipate cost savings associated with the transition to paper filler as we\u2019re finding the equipment has less fees associated.<\/span><\/p>\n Amazon:<\/span><\/span> We use a science-based approach that includes continuous materials and technology innovation to find solutions that are good for both customers and the planet. Today, replacing plastic air pillows with paper filler made out of 100%\u00a0recycled content allows customers to more easily recycle our packaging at home.<\/span><\/p>\n We also teamed up with the US Department of Energy to cut plastic waste through the <\/span>BOTTLE consortium<\/a><\/span> [Bio-Optimized Technologies to keep Thermoplastics out of Landfills and the Environment], which focuses on reducing plastic pollution through innovation and recycling. As part of this consortium, Amazon\u2019s team of materials scientists and experts hopes to develop technologies and materials that will enable the full life cycle of plastics to be net-zero carbon. You can find out more\u00a0<\/span>here<\/a><\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\nThe benefits for Amazon, consumers, and the planet.<\/h2>\n
\u2022 The equipment for feeding the paper cushioning at pack stations takes less space, making it easier for employees to pack the orders.<\/span>
\u2022 The paper filler is made of 100% recycled content, post-consumer and post-industrial, creating a pull-through market for recycled fiber.<\/span>
\u2022 Because the paper filler can absorb impacts better than the air pillows, Amazon is able to assure consumers their orders will arrive intact \u2014 and continue to avoid costly product damage.<\/span><\/p>\n
\u2022 The equipment that feeds the paper filler costs less than what was used for the air pillows. However, Amazon was vague with answers to my questions about material and shipping costs (see answers below). I believe the equipment savings might offset the cost difference between the two materials, as well as the additional shipping costs of the heavier paper cushioning. Although, Amazon also said in a <\/span>blog post<\/a><\/span> that this change allows them to use \u201cas little packaging as possible to avoid waste \u2026\u201d So maybe it is using less paper filler than air pillows.<\/span>
\u2022 The paper filler cushions better because it conforms to the products in the order better than the air pillows. This should minimize product damage even more; and save on returns and unsellable product.<\/span><\/p>\nThe paper filler that Amazon is now using is made of 100% recycled fiber that is both post-industrial and post-consumer. What is the percentage of post-consumer content? Is that certified?<\/h2>\n
How is Amazon communicating to consumers that this paper filler is recyclable? Is there a message printed on the material? A note in or on the box?<\/h2>\n
Amazon is using artificial intelligence (AI) to right-size its packages. Is AI also used to help packers identify the proper amount of paper filler for each order? Or are the packers making that decision themselves?<\/h2>\n
According to the Amazon blog, \u201cOur teammates in our fulfillment centers love it.\u201d One employee cited less space needed for the machinery for the paper cushioning, which makes it easier for him to do the order packing. Does \u201ceasier to pack\u201d equate to \u201cfaster to pack\u201d?<\/h2>\n
Can Amazon guarantee enough supply of the 100% recycled content to cushion 2 billion packages annually? Who are your suppliers? Are they manufacturing in North America?<\/h2>\n
In North America, what other cushioning materials does Amazon use beyond the paper filler and phased-out air pillows? Or is all your cushioning now only paper filler?<\/h2>\n
Some of the air pillows I received as an Amazon customer were either recyclable for store drop-off or made of bioplastic. Both of those products have a sustainability message. Why is curbside recyclable paper packaging better?<\/h2>\n
What was required in making the switch from plastic air pillows to the paper cushioning? New equipment, obviously. Employee training or guidance, right? What else?<\/h2>\n
How does the paper cushioning compare by weight to plastic air pillows? If it\u2019s heavier, how will that impact the company\u2019s shipping fees and profits?<\/h2>\n
Extensive testing was done with consumers, employees, and third-party experts. What were the test results on the protection value of the paper filler vs the air pillows?<\/h2>\n
![\"Amazon-Paper-Filler-rolls-on-pallet-web.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/eu-images.contentstack.com\/v3\/assets\/blta023acee29658dfc\/bltfa163fe50b390593\/667d99d6b1fc8e69e775ac1b\/Amazon-Paper-Filler-rolls-on-pallet-web.jpg?width=700&auto=webp&quality=80&disable=upscale\" "\\"Amazon-Paper-Filler-rolls-on-pallet-web.jpg\\"\/")
<\/p>\nWhat is the cost difference between the two cushioning products?<\/h2>\n
In the future, if\/when plastic films are also collected at curbside, do you still think the business case will be there to use paper packaging materials instead of plastic?<\/h2>\n