Amazon Advances Paper-Based Alternatives In Push To Eliminate Plastic Packaging

Amazon is piloting a broad shift from plastic to paper-based packaging, testing new materials and retrofitted machinery to significantly reduce plastic use in its fulfillment network. Experiments include replacing plastic film in existing bag-making machines with paper, allowing Amazon to leverage current equipment while adapting sealing systems for paper edges instead of plastic. The company is also collaborating with vendors to ship products in their original boxes, cutting out oversized secondary packaging and improving transport efficiency. In addition, Amazon plans wider adoption of paper bags and paper-based void fill in place of traditional plastic bubble wrap and air pillows, aligning with its environmental and recyclability goals. While no formal timeline has been announced, these initiatives signal a long-term strategy to phase out plastic packaging, even as questions remain about performance challenges such as resistance to moisture and wet conditions.​