Amazon is replacing plastic air pillows with recycled paper filler in North American packaging to address environmental concerns. The company has already replaced 95% of plastic air pillows in delivery packaging and aims for full removal by the end of the year, company said in a statement.

This initiative represents Amazon's largest plastic packaging reduction effort in North America, avoiding nearly 15 billion plastic air pillows annually. By Prime Day this year, almost all customer deliveries will exclude plastic air pillows. Pat Lindner, VP of Mechatronics and Sustainable Packaging, highlighted the collaboration across Amazon to achieve this goal, emphasizing the focus on using recyclable materials.

Amazon's automated fulfillment center in Ohio tested this transition, sourcing paper filler from 100% recycled content. The company collaborated with suppliers and fulfillment center employees to implement new machinery and systems. Third-party engineer lab assessments confirmed that paper filler provides equal or better protection than plastic air pillows. Christian Garcia, a fulfillment associate, praised the switch, noting its ease of use and recyclability.