Does Amazon have a recycling program? (full guide)
Amazon ships and delivers millions of packages to customers around the world every day. Given the size of the company, you might be wondering about Amazon’s environmental footprint.
For example, does Amazon have any recycling programs for its customers? Or is Amazon doing anything to become a sustainable company?
Here’s everything I found out about Amazon’s recycling process, and how they’re trying to be a sustainable company.
Does Amazon have a recycling program?
Amazon has two recycling programs that allow customers to recycle packaging materials and old technology. Additionally, Amazon’s facilities use third-party recycling companies to reuse plastic and cardboard for packaging. As a company, Amazon has invested millions of dollars in recycling programs to help simplify curbside recycling and reduce waste.
To learn more details about Amazon’s current recycling program for its customers, read on!
How many recycling programs does Amazon have?
Amazon currently has two recycling programs that customers can use if they choose.
The recycling options Amazon offers include opportunities to recycle product delivery packaging as well as used electronics.
Amazon calls their customer recycling program Amazon Second Chance.
Through Amazon Second Chance, customers can also browse used and refurbished electronics and shop for home repair kits for smartphones, tablets and computers.
Amazon’s Amazon Second Chance program aims to prevent unnecessary waste in packaging materials and electronics.
How do you recycle with Amazon?
Whether you want to recycle old electronics or Amazon packaging, Amazon makes it easy.
The e-commerce company even provides easy-to-follow instructions so you can properly recycle your old materials!
recycling equipment
Amazon and UPS have teamed up to provide an easy recycling process for your old equipment.
First, you need to find the Amazon Recycling Program website and find all the information you need.
Once you’ve found the site, just follow the on-screen instructions. The information you enter on the website will be used to provide UPS shipping labels for you to print.
Then, deliver the package to the nearest UPS store following the packaging guidelines provided by Amazon.
Amazon pays for the shipping of the old device and removes all personal information from the device.
You can also trade in your old device for an Amazon gift card. Amazon accepts non-Amazon devices, even tech devices that no longer work.
However, there’s no guarantee you’ll receive a gift card after you trade in your old device.
recycled packaging
Although Amazon doesn’t recycle old packaging for you, they do provide instructions on which materials can be recycled and which can’t.
For example, Amazon’s cardboard tote bags, brown paper bags, plastic bags and frozen water bottles are all eligible for the curbside recycling service.
However, Amazon’s insulated bag liners, dry ice packs, and coolant bags cannot be recycled.
Amazon recommends reusing non-recyclable packaging materials wherever possible to reduce unnecessary waste.
Is Amazon recycling as a company?
Not only does Amazon help their customers recycle, but they also operate their own recycling program at their warehouses.
By partnering with third-party recycling carriers, Amazon can recycle corrugated cardboard from their facilities.
Corrugated cardboard is the most commonly used material in Amazon operations, so recycling this material significantly reduces waste.
Additionally, Amazon purchases packaging made from recycled materials through third-party recyclers.
More recently, Amazon’s plastic bags are made from 100% recycled material, reducing plastic film.
When Amazon’s plastic bags are returned to their facility via customer returns, Amazon converts them into new plastic bags, successfully repeating the recycling process.
While not every Amazon facility recycles plastic film, as of June 2021, more than 150 sites in North America do.
Is Amazon a payback?
Amazon has also invested millions in recycling programs to help make the recycling process easier for people across the country.
closed loop infrastructure
Amazon recently invested $10 million in a closed-loop infrastructure fund.
The fund will help Amazon increase packaging recycling and ensure materials are returned to the manufacturing supply chain.
The investment also aims to improve curbside recycling for more than 3 million homes and prevent 1 million tons of recyclable materials from going to landfills.
recycling partnerships
Amazon is also partnering with The Recycling Partnership to make curbside recycling easier for people.
Specifically, the partnership helps educate communities and local governments about the infrastructure and practices associated with curbside recycling.
Is Amazon a sustainable company?
Amazon has taken huge strides to become a sustainable company. For example, in 2020, the company was the world’s largest corporate purchaser of renewable energy.
As a result, Amazon uses 65% renewable energy in its operations.
Currently, Amazon aims to become a company powered by 100 percent renewable energy by 2025 and to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2040.
Some of the resources Amazon uses to run a sustainable business include electric delivery vans, solar and wind power.
In fact, Amazon is a sustainable company and is taking the necessary steps to reduce the environmental footprint of every aspect of its supply chain.
If you want to learn more, you can also check out our related posts on what is Amazon Worry-Free Packaging, Does Walmart Recycle Plastic Bags and Bottles, and Does Safeway Recycle Plastic Bags.
in conclusion
Despite the size of the company, Amazon does an excellent job of recycling and reducing waste. For example, Amazon helps customers recycle old equipment and packaging materials.
Additionally, Amazon has invested millions in recycling programs designed to make recycling easier for everyone across the country.
