Amazon has sharply reduced—but not eliminated—single-use plastic delivery packaging. The company says 27% of North American shipments contained it in 2025, down from 65% in 2023. Its changes include paper filler, paper-based mailers and bags, packaging-free shipping for eligible products, and redesigned packing equipment. Those figures and rollout claims come from Amazon; they do not establish that every Amazon parcel is plastic-free or that paper has a lower overall environmental impact.
How much plastic packaging has Amazon eliminated?
Amazon’s latest progress account, dated August 26, 2026, says the share of North American shipments containing single-use plastic delivery packaging fell from 65% in 2023 to 37% in 2024 and 27% in 2025. These are shipment shares for North America—not percentages of all global orders or fulfillment centers. Amazon’s progress account also says 52% of its North American fulfillment centers shipped no plastic delivery packaging in 2025, a separate facility-level measure.
Amazon’s 2024 Sustainability Report gives another view: the company reported 74,137 metric tons of global plastic packaging in 2024, down from 88,698 metric tons in 2023, a 16.4% reduction. It also reported avoiding 152,062 metric tons of single-use plastic globally since 2020. These global tonnage figures measure plastic packaging, not the share of shipments that contain single-use plastic delivery packaging, so they should not be treated as one continuous series with the North American percentages. Amazon’s 2024 Sustainability Report
The company also reports broader packaging results: 5.4 million metric tons of packaging avoided in North America and Europe since 2015, and 11% of global orders shipped without additional Amazon packaging in 2025. These figures refer to packaging overall, not plastic alone. Amazon’s progress account
Recommended Free Tools
#1 Best Overall
- Perfect Holographic Resealable Bags - These holographic bags are made of quality metalized film, durable and shining, which provide you fantastic rainbow colors effect. The front side of the resealable bags for packaging is clear, so you could see what is inside. These large resealable bags are reusable and safe for your use.
- Smell Proof Resealable Bags - These aluminum resealable bags are convenient to use in home, office or other places with sealing strip. The aluminum zipper bags with sealing strip and cuts are helpful to keep water, moisture dust and odors out, save your effort. These reusable aluminum foil bags can keep your candy or small items clean and safe.
- Holographic Rainbow Color - These resealable bags for packaging have rainbow color metallic effect in the back and the front is clear in order to display the product clearly. These zio closure bags are waterproof after you close it completely, suitable for storing candy, cookies, soap, tea, coffee bean and other kind of things.
- Holographic Smell Proof Bags With Sealing Strip & Tear Giudes - These aluminum foil bags with self sealing strip is designed to keep your items clean, safe and organized. Resealable holographic bags are easy to seal. These resealable pouches have two tear giudes on the top, you can tear holographic bags quickly and easily with them. These clear plastic bags also support heat sealed.
- Wide Application Foil Bags Resealable - Perfect accessories supplies for home and office use as goodies bags, party favor bags. These cute colorful resealable sleeves can be used as gift samples bags for small business. These food storage bags can be applied to candy, coffee beans, dried flowers, baking, dried fruit, cookie, tea, nuts, sandwich snack and so on, can also hold cosmetic, soap and notebook, etc.
What is replacing plastic?
Paper filler instead of air pillows
Amazon says its global fulfillment centers stopped using plastic air pillows in delivery packaging as of October 2024. In North America, it replaced the pillows with paper filler made from 100% recycled content. The company had announced an interim North American transition in June 2024, saying it had replaced 95% of air pillows at that point; that was a dated progress update, not the final status. Amazon’s October 2024 announcement
Paper bags and protective mailers
Amazon is retrofitting automated bag-making machines to produce made-to-fit paper bags. It says the machines avoided 288 million plastic bags in North America in 2025. Amazon also says updates to a newer generation of machines make it possible to package larger products and increase by 20% the number of products that can be packed in paper bags. The company reports using variants of this technology in North America, Europe, Japan, and Australia. Amazon’s progress account
Rank #2
- High-Quality Material: Clear gift bags use premium materials built to last. These bags are designed for exceptional durability and longevity to ensure items are well-protected. Experience the difference of high-quality holographic bags, where style meets substance.
- Odor-Containing and Resealable: These lip gloss packaging feature an innovative design that helps contain odors, keeping items fresh. They are also equipped with a resealable closure, allowing for easy opening and closing. Enjoy the convenience of preserving freshness while ensuring airtight storage.
- Semi-Transparent Design: Embrace style and functionality with the semi-transparent holographic design. Whether organizing cosmetics, accessories, or personal items, these bags offer a visually appealing solution to simplify storage needs.
- Versatile and Multi-Purpose: The foil bags’ versatility makes them suitable for various applications. Perfect for travel, organization, or gifting, these bags can accommodate a wide range of items such as cosmetics, jewelry, stationery, and more. Enjoy convenience and practicality.
- Multiple Size: Holographic packaging bags are available in 3.1x4.7 inch, 4x6 inch, 5.5x7.8 inch, 6.3x9.4 inch.
For padded mailers, Amazon says it replaced 99% of non-recyclable mixed paper-and-plastic mailers in the U.S. and Canada in 2022 with a paper-padded format it describes as suitable for curbside recycling. In Europe, a fully paper-based mailer with a protective paper lining, developed with Mondi, scaled across Amazon operations in 2024. These are distinct formats and regional rollouts; they do not mean every paper package has the same materials or recycling options. Amazon’s packaging recycling guide and 2024 Sustainability Report
Shipping in a product’s own packaging
When a product can safely travel in its manufacturer’s packaging, Amazon’s Ships in Product Packaging program can avoid adding another Amazon box or mailer. The program began in 2020 and opened to sellers using Amazon’s fulfillment network in North America and Europe in February 2024. Amazon reports 28 million unique products certified for the program in those regions in 2025. Amazon’s progress account
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Rank #3
- Tight Resealable Zipper-Reusable zipper bags,easy to sealing and rezip with the sealing strip,good for packaging samples and small items.Tight zipper mylar bags keep water and dust out and protect inside items.
- Smell Proof for Food Storage-These black smell proof bags are made of high quality polypropylene and foil material,keep food and snacks fresh and in good flavor.
- Wide Use Storage Baggies -You can packed whatever you what in this little bags, coffee, beans, candy, cookies, tea,herbs, nuts, emedicin,dried fruit candy,dried flowers, powder, snack, spices, jewelry, car freshies, wax melts, etc. Perfect for small business and supplies to pack your samples.
- Support Heat Seal-These double sided color bags can be heat sealed for long term food storage.Odor and scents will be kept in baggies,perfect for fragrance and wax melts packaging.
- Attention Usable Size& After Sale-This scent proof bags outer size is 3x4.7inch, inner size is 2.4x3.5inch.We recommend you choose the inner size according to your packaging items length and width. If you have any questions, such as missing parts or any questions, please contact us via Amazon email.
How does Amazon’s packaging transition work?
The changes involve more than swapping one material for another. In 2023, Amazon described its Euclid, Ohio, facility as its first automated U.S. fulfillment center to eliminate plastic delivery packaging. The company said it redesigned equipment that had made plastic bags, introduced paper filler in place of air pillows, and developed protective, made-to-fit corrugate formats. It described the paper used there as more weather-resistant and stretchable than ordinary paper, and suitable for heat-sealing. Amazon’s Euclid announcement
Amazon’s stated approach combines using less packaging, protecting products in transit, and favoring materials customers can recycle through household collection. It says 73% of its packaging in North America was recyclable in 2025, up from 63% in 2024. That is a company-reported recyclability measure, not a measure of how much packaging is actually recycled. Amazon’s 2025 progress summary
Rank #4
- High-Quality Material: Clear gift bags using premium materials built to last. We prioritize durability and longevity to ensure your items are well-protected. Discover the difference of our high-quality holographic bags, where style meets substance
- Odor-Resistant and Resealable: Lip gloss packaging feature an innovative design that resists odors, keeping your items fresh. They are also equipped with a resealable closure, allowing for easy opening and closing. Enjoy the convenience of preserving freshness while ensuring airtight storage
- Semi-Transparent Design: Embrace style and functionality with our weed bags semi-transparent design. Whether you're organizing cosmetics, accessories, or personal items, these bags offer a visually appealing solution to simplify your storage needs
- Versatile and Multi-Purpose: The foil bags versatility makes them suitable for various applications. Perfect for travel, organization, or gifting, these bags can accommodate a wide range of items such as cosmetics, jewelry, stationery, and more. Enjoy convenience and practicality
- Multiple Size: Holographic packaging bags available szie in 3.1x4.7 inch, 4x6 inch, 5.5x7 inch, 6x9 inch
Does the rollout look the same in every country?
No. Amazon describes different changes in different markets, so a regional milestone should not be generalized to all deliveries.
- Europe: Amazon says its fulfillment network replaced single-use plastic delivery bags and air pillows with recyclable paper and cardboard in 2022.
- India: Amazon says it began removing thin-film single-use plastic packaging originating from its fulfillment network in 2020.
- Japan: Amazon says it stopped using single-use plastic delivery bags for fulfillment-center orders, with exceptions including chilled and frozen services.
These regional descriptions come from Amazon’s progress account. Amazon’s progress account
PC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteBest Value
- Size Attention: Ensure you select the correct size before ordering. Detailed photos and descriptions are provided regarding the pen bag dimensions. Please focus on the inner dimensions of the bags. You'll receive a total of 100 pieces of 2.76x8.86 inches holographic packaging bags
- Premium Holographic Packaging: These small holographic bags are crafted from high-quality metalized film, ensuring durability and a stunning iridescent rainbow effect. The transparent front side allows for easy viewing of contents. Reusable and safe for multiple uses, these mini pen bags for bead pens are ideal for your business needs
- Vibrant Rainbow Colors: Featuring a captivating rainbow metallic effect, these zipper bags add a touch of charm to your product packaging. Waterproof when fully sealed, they are perfect for packaging various items such as fashion samples, accessories, lip gloss tubes, snacks, candies, soaps, confetti, teas, and more
- Convenient Zipper Closure and Tear Cuts: Designed for cleanliness, safety, and organization, these aluminum foil pouches with zipper ensure secure storage. The resealable zipper feature makes sealing effortless. Additionally, the two tear cuts on the top facilitate quick and easy opening. These iridescent plastic bags can also be heat-sealed for added security
- Versatile Packaging Solution: Ideal for small businesses, color street businesses, as well as home and office use, these plastic bags serve various purposes including goodies bags, gift bags, treat bags, and party favor bags. They are perfect for presenting gift samples and storing items such as fashion decorations, ornaments, keychains, fake nails, candies, coffee beans, baked goods, dried fruits, nuts, snacks, and cosmetic products
Does paper packaging have a lower environmental impact?
Less plastic use is not, by itself, proof of a lower total environmental impact. The figures above describe material quantities, shipment shares, or program reach. They do not provide an independent life-cycle comparison of Amazon’s specific paper and plastic packaging across production, transport, reuse, and disposal.
Recyclability also depends on local collection rules and on the exact package. Amazon says some plastic packaging may require drop-off collection, while the paper filler used in its Euclid transition can go in curbside recycling. Its broader claim that a format is suitable for curbside recycling should not be taken as a guarantee that every local program accepts it. Check your municipal recycling guidance and the packaging’s instructions. Amazon’s Euclid announcement
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
