Environment America is urging Amazon to reduce plastic packaging in its delivery system, arguing that ecommerce companies have a major role to play in preventing plastic pollution before it reaches oceans, rivers and coastlines. The campaign calls on Amazon to remove as much single-use plastic as possible from its shipment packaging and shift toward lower-impact alternatives.

The appeal reflects a growing concern across the packaging sector: online retail has changed how products move, but it has also increased the visibility of disposable packaging waste. Plastic mailers, air pillows, wraps and protective films may be lightweight and convenient, but they can become pollution when they escape collection systems or are not recyclable through local infrastructure.

The most effective way to reduce plastic pollution is not to manage more waste after use, but to design less unnecessary plastic into the system from the start.

Environment America highlights the scale of the ocean plastics problem, stating that more than a delivery truck’s worth of plastic enters the ocean every minute. The organisation also points to the impact on marine wildlife, including sea turtles that mistake floating plastic for food, whales affected by ingested waste and seabirds found with plastic in their bodies. For campaigners, packaging reduction is therefore not only a waste-management issue, but a biodiversity and ocean-health priority.

Amazon is a central target because of its enormous shipping volume and influence over ecommerce packaging standards. When a company of this scale changes packaging specifications, the impact can move through suppliers, fulfilment centres, logistics partners and consumer expectations. A reduction in plastic packaging by Amazon could encourage broader adoption of paper-based mailers, right-sized packaging, reusable systems or recyclable protective materials.

For the packaging industry, the campaign underlines the need to rethink the balance between protection, convenience and environmental impact. Ecommerce packaging must protect goods through automated fulfilment, sorting, transport and last-mile delivery. However, over-reliance on plastic cushioning or oversized secondary packaging can create avoidable waste. Better design can reduce material use while maintaining product protection.

• Right-sizing can reduce unnecessary void fill and oversized parcels.
• Paper-based mailers may replace some plastic envelopes where product protection allows.
• Reusable packaging can be explored for repeat customers and closed-loop delivery models.
• Clear recyclability information helps consumers dispose of packaging correctly.
• Supplier standards can push brands to reduce plastic before products enter fulfilment networks.

The challenge is that not all plastic packaging can be removed immediately without trade-offs. Some products require moisture protection, puncture resistance or flexible cushioning. In those cases, the priority should be elimination of unnecessary plastic, followed by redesign, recycled content, recyclability and collection compatibility. The best solutions depend on the product, delivery route and local recovery infrastructure.

Consumer expectations are also changing. Shoppers increasingly notice excessive packaging and may associate it with wasteful corporate behaviour. At the same time, they expect products to arrive undamaged. This creates pressure on ecommerce leaders to develop packaging systems that are both efficient and visibly responsible. Packaging that is easy to open, correctly sized and simple to recycle can improve both sustainability performance and customer experience.

The campaign also connects to corporate responsibility. Large retailers have the data, purchasing power and logistics control needed to reduce packaging at scale. They can test alternative materials, redesign fulfilment processes and set requirements for marketplace sellers. This gives companies such as Amazon a unique ability to influence how ecommerce packaging evolves beyond plastic-heavy formats.

For converters and material suppliers, rising pressure on plastic packaging creates opportunities for innovation. Demand is likely to grow for recyclable fibre-based mailers, protective paper systems, lightweight corrugated formats, certified compostable options for specific use cases and digital tools that optimise packaging size. However, alternatives must be assessed carefully to avoid shifting impacts from plastic waste to higher emissions, damaged products or poor recyclability.

Environment America’s petition is part of a wider movement pushing brands and retailers to act before regulation forces change. Plastic packaging reduction is becoming a reputational, operational and policy issue at the same time. Companies that move early can shape the transition, while those that delay may face stronger public criticism and future compliance costs.

The message for ecommerce packaging is clear: convenience must no longer depend on unnecessary single-use plastic. By reducing plastic at source, improving packaging design and supporting materials that work within real recycling systems, major retailers can help protect oceans while building a more responsible delivery model.