Amazon, the e-commerce giant, has announced a revolutionary change in its packaging approach. The company plans to bid farewell to its iconic cardboard boxes with smiles, instead opting for the manufacturer's original packaging for its shipments.
A Change Toward Sustainability
The reason behind this change is simple and sustainable: to reduce the use of unnecessary packaging. The company mentions in its sustainability report: "Sometimes the best solution is to use what already exists". Under the program called Shipments in Own Container (SIOC), selected items will be shipped in their original packaging, eliminating the need for additional packaging by Amazon. This initiative not only reduces the volume of waste, but also decreases the weight of deliveries.
Amazon recognizes that many of the products they sell already come packaged in shipping-appropriate materials. Therefore, they are expanding their SIOC program to certify such items. Additionally, the company is incentivizing its business partners and suppliers to adapt their packaging to SIOC standards.
Measurable Impact and Future Innovations
While this transition takes place, Amazon is not sitting idle. The firm has introduced more recyclable packaging in several countries. The goal is clear: while they strive to completely eliminate unnecessary packaging, they also seek to optimize the packaging they still need to use, ensuring the safe delivery of products and facilitating recycling by their customers.
This change is not just a step forward in terms of sustainability, but also has a measurable impact. Amazon claims to have avoided the use of 2 million tons of packaging materials since 2015. Additionally, they have managed to reduce packaging weight per shipment by an impressive 41% since that same year.
A tangible example is the way a 49-inch Samsung Series 5 television is now shipped. By eliminating nine packaging components, Amazon has managed to reduce the package volume by 69% and the amount of air shipped by 87%.
Finally, in a strategy to continue innovating in the packaging field, Amazon has revealed that it is incorporating new machines in its centers in Europe and the United States. These machines, designed to create custom-made paper bags, will adapt to each product, contributing even further to the reduction of packaging material.
With these efforts, Amazon reaffirms its commitment to sustainability and the environment, demonstrating that large companies can, and should, lead the way toward a greener future.
With information from Milenio