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No matter the sustainable or ethical credits an item may have, brands are still at the mercy of packaging materials. And, customers are the ones who ultimately have to deal with plastic bags, tape and plastic-coated boxes filling up living rooms once the items arrives. It’s no wonder that searches for ‘plastic-free Amazon’ have risen in search results. As more and more of us turn to online shopping, many of us are also feeling the frustration from excess packaging materials polluting our lives.
82.2 million tons of packaging material made up landfill waste in 2018 according to data collected from the Environmental Protection Agency
Yet, even as the behemoth of online shopping, Amazon isn’t the only retailer to find fault with when it comes to plastic-shipping materials. Some sustainable brands have yet to turn to compostable or biodegradable options when it comes to packaging materials. Others are bound by economics and the high cost of these materials make it so that they aren’t able to yet. And, then there are retailers and legislators that make it so that individual items have to be packaged in plastic.
With all that said and done, the big question remains, as a conscious consumer who is trying to contribute less to plastic waste, how can we push for and find plastic-free shipping?
The Startling Facts Of Plastic Packaging
There’s a problem with plastic… and a lot of that comes from packaging materials. In the U.S 14.5 million tons of packaging waste were created in 2018 according to the Environmental Protection Agency. (EPA_ Here are a few facts about how plastic packaging waste is affecting our environment.
- 18 Billion pounds of plastic waste flows into our oceans yearly.
- Most packaging is designed as single use. The EPA estimated that in 2014, packaging made up 63% of municipal solid waste materials.
- It’s estimated that 1/3 of plastic pollution ends up polluting our freshwater resources.
- The National Park Service estimates that some types of plastic can take 50 to 450 years to decompose.
- Landfills emit ammonia and hydrogen sulfide and incinerators can emit mercury, lead, hydrogen chloride, sulfur dioxides, nitrous oxides and particulates.
Most ‘Recyclable’ Plastic Packaging Isn’t Recyclable
Amazon has a big impact on our society and environment that should also come with a big responsibility to ensure that their impact is a positive one. It’s estimated that 7 billion packages were delivered by the retailer in 2019 that generated 465 million pounds of waste. Those numbers are estimated to be higher for 2020 and 2021. And, if you’re one of the dutiful citizens who recycle their packaging materials, sadly your efforts are most likely wasted. Most municipalities’ recycling centers don’t have the infrastructure that allows them to properly sort and recycle the polyethylene plastic packaging material that Amazon uses. So, most likely those ‘recyclable’ plastic bubbles that the brand produces are most likely being tossed into landfills or worse, becoming ocean pollution.
That Amazon packaging suffers from the same problems as plastic bags, which are not sortable in our recycling system and get caught in the machinery.
Lisa Sepanski, Project Manager for King County Solid Waste Division
Ironically, Amazon is aware of plastic pollution and the role that they play in this global crisis. But, while the rest of the world must succumb to zero waste products found on the site being wrapped in plastic, in India, plastic free Amazon is already a thing. In June 2020, Amazon India successfully eliminated 100% single-use plastic in packaging across their 50+ fulfillment centers.
On their website’s blog, Amazon stated that in India they, “introduced 100% plastic-free and biodegradable paper tape earlier this year.” This is all in an effort to “build a sustainable supply chain.” Yet, that sustainable supply chain is lacking in the U.S and other countries where packages are still shipped in un-recyclable materials that are putting consumers in a difficult position when trying to purchase items that we need without the plastic waste that we don’t need.
Petition Against Plastic
One of the best thing we can do as customers it to let brands know what we want, like and of course, dislike. If you shop with Amazon or another retailer contact their customer support. When you receive a package that is packaged with paper (that can be recycled) instead of plastic, write to their customer support team to let them know that you approve of this transition away from plastic. And, if you do receive the excess plastic waste, use one of these templates asking them to move towards sustainable packaging solutions.
What The Future Of Sustainable Packaging For Beauty Brands Looks Like
Other ways to take charge as a consumer when it comes to minimizing plastic waste is by sending a message to our local policy makers. Sign your name next to a 600,000 others on a plastic-free Amazon petition that is asking the retailer to offer more sustainable packaging options at checkout. The nonprofit, Oceana is also a partner with this petition giving you further call to actions to help push this campaign forward.
Zero Waste Retailers to Support
Of course, as consumers we can always use our dollars at stores and retailers that are already saying ‘no’ to single-use plastic packaging. Here are two retailers that you can turn to to have your basic necessities for your family and pet shipped to your home without the plastic waste. And, if you need want to learn about other sustainable brands, shop from the 60 sustainable brands listed here.
Public Goods: This online retailer offers basics for every room in your house at an affordable price. And, items are packaged and shipped to you in recyclable materials (glass, aluminium and cardboard) that are minimally packaged to help you reduce your environmental footprint. Think solid shampooo ,tree-free paper and refillable cleaning products that are all under $10.
Package Free: This is another online shop that is dedicated to creating a positive environmental impact by offering plastic-free packaging and shipping for their basic home items. While the items have a slightly higher price point, most items for your home are still under $20. And, there are even solid items like laundry detergent and zero waste kits to get you started on your plastic-free journey.
