The packaging can be recycled via household recycling streams. Credit: Amazon.

E-commerce company Amazon has announced that its European fulfilment network is now using 100% recyclable delivery packaging for all customer orders.

This is applicable for items sold by Amazon, as well as its third-party selling partners that are associated with Fulfilment by Amazon.

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Customers across Europe will receive their orders in flexible paper bags, cardboard envelopes, and corrugated cardboard boxes, with no additional packaging.

This delivery packaging material can easily be recycled post-use in household recycling streams.

Amazon said it has been working with vendors across Europe to ensure that the maximum number of its products are delivered in ‘easy-to-open original packaging’.

The recyclable packaging can be shipped to customers together with an address label, without the requirement of adding any Amazon bag or box.

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In case additional packaging is still required, Amazon said that it tries to use lighter and more appropriately sized packaging. This ensures that the product is delivered safely while reducing carbon footprint and generating minimum waste.

Amazon Sustainable Packaging and Mechatronics vice-president Pat Lindner said: “We are excited that our European fulfilment network is now using recyclable packaging for customer orders.

“This is part of our long-term work to be a leader in sustainability, and we will continue to invest in innovative technology, machine learning, and more sustainable materials to ensure packaging – whether used by us or other companies – is good for our customers, communities, and the planet.”

Amazon said that the number of products it has shipped without any additional packaging has increased to more than 50% in Europe in the last year.

Combining its various initiatives, the company estimates that it has avoided the use and circulation of more than ‘one billion single-use plastic delivery bags’ from across its European distribution network, starting in 2019. 

Amazon said it is also piloting various new technologies and innovations across Europe to make its packaging more sustainable.

Some of these pilot efforts include paper-made padded envelopes, reusable delivery bags, and offering incentives to selling partners to reduce their own packaging.

Amazon has also launched new automated packing technology to minimise packaging requirements for various everyday items.