Amazon.com and the Environment
Amazon.com employs green initiatives company wide. Please refer to the links below for more information. We will update this page with our progress on reducing our carbon footprint.
What does Amazon.com do to utilize environmentally-friendly packaging materials?
- Most Amazon.com orders are shipped in corrugated containers, which on average contain 43% recovered fiber content. Once used, these containers are 100 percent recyclable for use in the manufacture of other paper products. Corrugated shipping containers are one of the most commonly accepted materials by either curbside recycling programs or at recycling centers nationwide. In 2005, 76.6 percent of all containers produced were recovered for recycling.
- The air-filled cushions sometimes used to protect the items in our shipments are 100 percent recyclable. They're made with either low-density polyethylene (LDPE, recycle symbol 4) or high-density polyethylene (HDPE, recycle symbol 2) and are non-toxic. If you cannot re-use or recycle air-filled cushions, they can be deflated and disposed of. Deflated air-filled cushions take up less than 1% of their inflated volume, can be recycled where appropriate facilities are available and are acceptable for landfills.
- Less than 1% of shipments may contain Flo-Pak polystyrene loose-fill packing material, commonly known as peanuts. They're made from 100 percent recycled material (waste polystyrene), are nontoxic, and contain no substances--such as CFCs--that are harmful to the Earth's ozone layer. Better yet, they're 100 percent recyclable.
What is Amazon.com doing to reduce its impact on climate change?
Amazon.com is committed to reducing its overall carbon footprint in order to help reduce the amount of greenhouse gasses emitted as a result of our operations. We have empowered employees across the company to help in this effort and there is excitement and passion for this effort across the entire company.
Here are a few examples of how Amazon.com employees are working to reduce Amazon.com's energy consumption:
Energy Reduction Initiatives
In our fulfillment centers, employees are implementing the Kaizen process for evaluating opportunities for energy reduction. Kaizen utilizes Amazon employees at all levels to dive deep into every nook and cranny of a process or state, to identify waste and to offer alternative solutions which are more energy efficient.
It is anticipated that the Kaizens currently being implemented will result in a significant reduction in energy usage in our fulfillment and customer service centers worldwide.
Commute Trip Reduction
The vast majority of Seattle-based employees live west of Lake Washington along the busy I-5 corridor, which is also well-served by public transit. Amazon.com spends more than $1 million a year on "Flexpasses" which allow employees to use most public transit systems serving the Puget Sound area.
Green Workspace
The following features are common in the Amazon.com workplace:
- Our modular office and cube system is made from 100% recycled material, including our "wheatboard" panels which are made from waste from wheat farming.
- Our carpeting has been made from recycled materials.
- Our lighting systems are equipped with timers, and sensors to automatically turn lights off when not in use.
Sustainable Living Store
On Earth Day 2007, Amazon.com launched its
Sustainable Living store, which is a collection of our favorite planet-friendly products from departments throughout our Web site. Products and features include:
- Organic food from our Grocery store
- Books on green living
- Natural household supplies
- Tips on how to reduce one's carbon footprint
Is online shopping more environmentally friendly than traditional shopping?
Click here to read a study that provides an interesting conclusion.
Cart
