Amazon is phasing out the use of plastic air pillows in its packaging.

• The change will enable Amazon to reduce its use of approximately 15 billion plastic pillows annually.
• The paper fillers are made entirely from recyclable materials and can be collected at the curb for recycling.
• In October 2023, the company announced the commencement of a transition away from plastic filler with the establishment of its first U.S. automated fulfillment center, aimed at eliminating plastic-delivery packaging.

It was announced on Thursday that the company has removed 95% of plastic air pillows from its packaging in North America and will replace them with paper fillers made from 100% recycled content.

Amazon's largest plastic-packaging reduction initiative will help it eliminate approximately 15 billion plastic pillows yearly.

Pat Lindner, VP of Mechatronics and Sustainable Packaging, stated in the announcement that the company is working towards full removal of curbside recyclable materials in North America by the end of the year and will continue to innovate, test, and scale to prioritize sustainability.

In October 2023, the e-commerce company started phasing out plastic fillers by introducing its first U.S. automated fulfillment center, which utilizes paper fillers that are recyclable. Amazon worked with suppliers to source these paper fillers.

Amazon has previously taken steps to reduce packaging waste, such as the 2015 launch of the Ships in Product Packaging program, which aimed to reduce the use of its signature brown box and ship products in their original packaging.