My family members are avid users of Amazon Prime. I too have to admit that I often succumb to the convenience of Amazon Prime’s Two-Day shipping even though I am well aware of the climate pollution that the company emits. However, amidst their controversies, the company is getting better!
Recently, I made a purchase on Amazon and noticed that they have the option of shipping the product without Amazon packaging. I was pretty impressed by this since the solution of not putting a box in another box or a bag in another bag was just so simple! Diving deeper into their website, I learned that since 2015, they have been reducing packaging wherever possible. Their Frustration-Free Packaging Program ships eligible items in its original packaging without the need for additional Amazon packaging. Certified products under the Frustration-Free Packaging Program automatically get no Amazon packaging, but consumers are still able to choose the “Ship in Amazon packaging” at checkout.
Yes, Amazon can do a lot better, but I personally appreciate the change! Some may argue that the wave of tech companies that are getting behind sustainability as a key competitive advantage are merely greenwashing and don’t truly value sustainable business practices. Others may take a more positive spin on this wave and be glad that big companies are making a change no matter what their ulterior motive is. At what point do we give large corporations that have negative pasts the benefit of the doubt? The fact that Amazon, perhaps the biggest corporation in the world, is demonstrating such a bold commitment to sustainability and enticing other businesses to do the same, makes me think well of them. However, it is still our duty as consumers to hold companies accountable and advocate for positive change. If a company genuinely cares about the environment, it will shine through every level of its operations, from how its products are made to how employees are compensated.
