Amazon US replaces plastic bubble bags with recycled paper for frozen groceries

25 Nov 2021 --- Amazon is launching curbside recyclable paper packaging for frozen and chilled foods in the US, slashing single-use plastic waste. 

“This new packaging is produced with recycled paper and eliminates the need for plastic liners or bubble bag insulation,” an Amazon spokesperson tells PackagingInsights.

Regionally produced, the packaging is delivered to Amazon Fresh grocery hubs, stores and Whole Foods Market locations, reducing transport distances and associated carbon emissions. The project began in 2019 and the packaging will reach US customers at the end of this month. 

R&D considerations
Four criteria were necessary for replacing the plastic bubble bags with the paper alternative. First, the new packaging had to maintain product safely throughout the chill chain. Also, the material needed to be inexpensive and scalable.

Next, it needed to be small, compact and flexible for Amazon’s delivery drivers. Here, cardboard boxes were deemed unsuitable. Although they would maintain food-safe temperatures, boxes would take up more room, resulting in fewer grocery deliveries per vehicle. 

Initiated in 2019, the new packaging will roll out to US customers at the end of this month.The paper bags are also designed to be easily recyclable and generate less overall packaging for consumers. According to Innova Market Insights, 29% of US consumers think recyclable packaging is an important consideration when shopping online, lagging behind the 42% global average. 

Meanwhile, plastic-free e-commerce packaging is a priority for 15% of US consumers, but less so than Indian (34%), German (32%) and UK (27%) consumers. 

Amazon’s new moves
Amazon highlights its new grocery bags as a “next step” in its commitment to achieving net-zero carbon across its business by 2040. 

“In all regions, we are working to eliminate or reduce packaging waste and increasing recyclability and access to recycling. We’ve made significant progress by introducing new packaging innovations, and we are finding ways to use less material,” says the Amazon spokesperson.

For example, Amazon France revealed it would stop packaging items in single-use plastic sleeves by the end of the year.

Amazon Germany is also reportedly ending its use of single-use plastics for secondary shipping packaging. Instead, it will switch to paper-based shipping bags, but some shipments may continue to be packaged in corrugated cardboard boxes.

Amazon highlights its new grocery bags as a “next step” in its commitment to achieving net-zero carbon across its business by 2040.Meanwhile in Singapore, Amazon Fresh is replacing unrecyclable gel packs with recyclable frozen water bottles to maintain the freshness of frozen and chilled products during deliveries.

However, Greenpeace told PackagingInsights the water bottles represent “an attempt to greenwash packaging” – a claim Amazon disputes.

Home delivery haven
Pressure on e-commerce giants to reduce their packaging’s environmental impact is intensifying. In August, environmental non-profit Habits of Waste called out the wasteful packaging practices of Amazon, Walmart and Target.

Innova Market Insights pegged “Home Delivery Haven” as the top packaging trend for 2021, noting a boom in e-commerce resulting from COVID-19 lockdown restrictions. 

By Anni Schleicher

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