TELL AMAZON: US CUSTOMERS DESERVE A PLASTIC-FREE COMMITMENT TOO!

Amazon is refusing to commit to phasing out single-use plastic packaging in the United States, despite moving away from plastic packaging in other major markets including India and Europe. Why are customers from the U.S. being left behind?

Oceana’s new report “Amazon’s United States of Plastic” estimates that Amazon generated 208 million pounds of plastic packaging waste for all transactions in the U.S. in 2022, a 9.6% increase over Oceana’s estimate for 2021. This amount of plastic, in the form of air pillows, would circle the Earth more than 200 times.

Why are U.S. customers being left behind? YouGov polled Amazon customers in the U.S. and found that 85% of the customers surveyed want the company to take action to reduce plastic and the same amount are also concerned about plastic pollution’s impact on the world’s oceans. Why isn’t Amazon listening to its customers? Why is the company forcing plastic packaging on people who don’t want it?

Because the company refuses to commit to phase out plastic packaging in the U.S. and everywhere it operates, Oceana estimates that a large amount of plastic packaging continues to become marine plastic pollution. Using plastic waste pollution data from a peer-reviewed study published in the journal Science in 2020, Oceana estimates that up to 22 million pounds of Amazon's global plastic packaging waste from 2022 will end up in the world's waterways and seas.

Plastic pollution, including the type of plastic used in Amazon’s packaging, is devastating the world’s oceans. Amazon’s plastic packaging is made from the most common form of marine plastic litter in nearshore ocean areas — plastic film — which is also the deadliest type of plastic to large marine animals.

Tell Amazon to take immediate, company-wide action to reduce plastic packaging everywhere it operates including the United States.

Please feel free to edit the petition text below, then fill out your info on the right to submit your letter to Amazon’s CEO. Amazon claims to be responsive to its customers.

petition letter

CEO

Andy

Jassy

Amazon

Mr. Andrew Jassy,

My name is {user_data~First Name} {user_data~Last Name}.

I am emailing today with Sailors for the Sea Powered by Oceana to request that Amazon commit to phase out plastic packaging in the United States just as it has in other major markets around the world.  The company has phased out plastic packaging in India and throughout Europe. Why is it not doing the same in the U.S.? The company should pledge to eliminate plastic packaging everywhere it operates around the world.

Plastic is everywhere in our oceans, from the sea surface to our beaches and coastline, to the deepest depths of the Mariana Trench. Sea turtles choke to death trying to eat plastic bags, wraps, and coverings, mistaking such pollution for jellyfish. A recent study found that 100% of sea turtle species have ingested or become entangled in plastic.

The kind of plastic typically used in Amazon’s packaging – plastic film – is difficult to recycle. As Amazon itself writes, most curbside recycling programs in the U.S. do not accept it. Too often, this kind of plastic ends up landfilled, burned, or pollutes the environment, including the ocean.

I know that Amazon can reduce its use of plastic packaging because it has done so in Europe and other markets. The company stated on its own blog that “Amazon has stopped packing products in single-use plastic delivery bags and envelopes in its European distribution network. This includes items sold by Amazon and third-party selling partners that use Fulfilment by Amazon (FBA).”

Why can’t the company do the same in the U.S.? Don’t U.S. customers, many of whom DON’T want plastic, also deserve a commitment to get rid of single-use plastic? U.S. customers should not be left behind – they account for nearly 70% of the company’s sales!

Please help protect our oceans and planet by taking immediate, company-wide action to reduce plastic packaging.

Kind regards, 
{user_data~First Name} {user_data~Last Name}

YOUR INFORMATION

Email

First Name

Last Name

Address

City

State

Postal Code

Country

Mobile Phone (Optional)

SMS Opt In

Copyright © 2024 Sailors for the Sea Powered by Oceana. All rights reserved.
When you submit your information, Sailors for the Sea will send you periodic updates by email. You can unsubscribe at any time.