Amazon achieves 100% recyclable delivery packaging across Europe

Amazon announced it achieved 100% recyclable delivery packaging in Europe, avoiding over one billion single-use plastic delivery bags since 2019. As packaging waste regulation tightens, Indian e-commerce and logistics firms face mounting pressure to adopt recyclable, reduced-plastic packaging.

Amazon announced it achieved 100% recyclable delivery packaging in Europe, with customers receiving packages in flexible paper bags, cardboard envelopes and corrugated cardboard boxes recyclable through household recycling systems. The company, including third-party sellers using Fulfilment by Amazon, ensures all delivery packaging components are recyclable. Over the past year, Amazon increased products shipped without extra packaging by over 50% in Europe, estimating it has avoided using more than one billion single-use plastic delivery bags in its European distribution network since 2019.

The achievement affects Amazon's European operations, its third-party FBA sellers and the broader e-commerce packaging supply chain. By collaborating with vendors to use recyclable cardboard and paper, and deploying lighter, appropriately sized packaging, Amazon aims to reduce waste and carbon emissions while ensuring safe product delivery. As co-founder and inaugural signatory of The Climate Pledge committing to net-zero carbon by 2040, Amazon is also progressing toward 100% renewable energy across operations by 2025 and has added over 9,000 electric delivery vehicles globally.

E-commerce and logistics companies should monitor how recyclable packaging standards and plastic reduction become competitive and regulatory expectations. Indian e-commerce, retail and logistics firms facing rising packaging waste rules can benchmark against Amazon's transition to recyclable materials and reduced single-use plastics. Stakeholders should track Amazon's 100% renewable energy target by 2025 and its electric delivery fleet expansion as indicators of integrated packaging, energy and transport decarbonisation across the delivery value chain.

Key figure — Plastic avoided: more than one billion single-use plastic delivery bags since 2019