Alexei Volkov
Amazon's bubble-lined plastic bags, plastic bags, and air pillows are lightweight and protective solutions for products. However, they cannot be recycled like cardboard and often tangle sorting machinery at recycling facilities. Some cities offer curbside recycling for these materials, but in most cases, they should be taken to designated store drop-off locations that accept plastic film. Plastic air pillows can be treated like plastic bags and brought to a plastic bag drop-off location or tossed in the garbage. Certain supermarkets have bins for plastic bag collection near their entrances.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Recyclability | Amazon bubble-lined plastic bags cannot be recycled in municipal recycling bins. |
| Curbside recycling | Not accepted in curbside recycling in the US and Australia. |
| Plastic bag drop-off locations | Accepted at designated plastic bag drop-off locations, including certain big box stores and supermarkets. |
| Reuse | Can be cut open to form a sheet of bubble wrap, which can be reused or offered for reuse online. |
| Composting | Not compostable. |
| Amazon's efforts | Amazon is transitioning to recyclable paper-padded mailers and gift bags made of 100% recycled material. |
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What You'll Learn
- Bubble wrap can be recycled at some locations that accept plastic bags
- Amazon bubble wrap mailers are not recyclable and should be put in the garbage
- Plastic air pillows can be recycled at plastic bag drop-off locations
- Paper mailers with bubble padding are not recyclable
- Amazon provides guidance on how to recycle their packaging
Bubble wrap can be recycled at some locations that accept plastic bags
Amazon's bubble-lined plastic bags, plastic bags, and air pillows are lightweight and protective solutions for products. However, they cannot be recycled in your curbside recycling bin as they tangle sorting machinery at facilities. Instead, they should be taken to designated store drop-off locations that accept plastic film. These locations are usually convenient places like grocery stores.
If you receive a cardboard box with plastic air pillows inside, you can flatten the box and put it in your recycling cart. Plastic air pillows can be treated like plastic bags and brought to a plastic bag drop-off location or collected in plastic film recycling containers near you. Once collected, the plastic film is melted down and turned into new materials such as composite lumber for decks, playgrounds, and park benches.
In addition to recycling, Amazon bubble wrap and plastic packaging can be reused or offered for reuse on community boards or local zero-waste groups. Cutting along the seams of mailer bags opens them up into sheets of bubble wrap, which can be used for packaging or other purposes. Amazon is also transitioning to gift bags made of 100% recycled material.
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Amazon bubble wrap mailers are not recyclable and should be put in the garbage
Amazon bubble wrap mailers are typically made of paper on the outside and bubble wrap on the inside. While bubble wrap itself can be recycled in some places, the combination of paper and plastic in Amazon's mailers means that they cannot be recycled at all. In the US, these mailers are not accepted in municipal recycling programs. However, some local recycling centers may accept them through special programs, such as Terracycle. It's important to check with your local recycling program for specific guidelines.
If you receive a product in an Amazon bubble wrap mailer, you can choose to reuse the packaging before disposing of it. You can cut along the seams of the mailer bag to open it up into a sheet of bubble wrap. After removing any labels, you can reuse the bubble wrap for packaging or offer it to someone else for reuse through online platforms or local community boards.
Amazon has recognized the challenges associated with recycling its packaging and is working to improve the recyclability of its mailers. In 2022, Amazon replaced 99% of non-recyclable mixed mailers with paper-padded mailers in Canada and the US. These new mailers are made entirely of paper and can be recycled in curbside recycling bins, similar to cardboard boxes. Amazon is also transitioning to gift bags made of 100% recycled material.
It's important to note that other types of Amazon packaging, such as plastic air pillows and plastic bags, may have specific recycling instructions. These items can often be recycled at designated store drop-off locations that accept plastic film. Always remember to check with your local recycling guidelines and programs to properly manage your Amazon packaging waste.
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Plastic air pillows can be recycled at plastic bag drop-off locations
Plastic air pillows, like bubble wrap, cannot be placed in your curbside recycling bin. They can, however, be recycled at plastic bag drop-off locations. These are typically found at convenient places such as your local grocery store.
Amazon's plastic mailers, which are plastic on the outside with a layer of bubble wrap on the inside, should also be brought to a plastic bag drop-off location. This is because they tangle up sorting machinery at recycling facilities, causing delays.
If you receive a cardboard box with plastic air pillows inside, flatten the box and put it in your recycling cart. The plastic air pillows can then be brought to a plastic bag drop-off location.
In some places, such as Australia, bubble wrap will be accepted by places that also accept plastic bags or plastic wrap for recycling. However, this is typically not in your home recycling bin as soft plastics can jam sorting machines at recycling facilities.
If you are unable to locate a plastic bag drop-off location, you can reuse plastic air pillows or offer them up for reuse on a community board. You might also be able to give them away on Facebook Marketplace or to a local zero-waste group.
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Paper mailers with bubble padding are not recyclable
Amazon has been working to make its packaging lighter and recyclable. In 2022, Amazon replaced 99% of the non-recyclable mixed mailers with paper-padded mailers in Canada and the US. These mailers can be thrown right into your curbside recycling bin. However, bubble-lined plastic bags and air pillows are not recyclable in your municipal recycling bin. Some cities offer curbside recycling for these materials, but where this is not available, they should be taken to designated store drop-off locations that accept plastic film.
Amazon provides material identification codes and recycling guidance for customers seeking to recycle their packaging. You can refer to the Amazon Second Chance website to find out more about how to recycle your Amazon packaging.
Some recycling centres will take bubble wrap and other clear soft plastic for recycling. It is easier to recycle if it doesn't have any colour on it. Otherwise, you might be able to give it away on a platform like Facebook Marketplace or a local zero-waste group.
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Amazon provides guidance on how to recycle their packaging
Amazon provides detailed guidance on how to recycle their packaging, with the aim of making it easier for customers to recycle and reduce waste. The company has a dedicated Amazon Second Chance website that offers material identification codes and recycling guidance for its packaging. This website is tailored to different countries, including Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain.
Amazon has made significant strides in reducing the use of single-use plastic packaging and increasing the recyclability of its packaging. They have introduced paper-padded mailers, which are recyclable and have replaced non-recyclable mixed mailers in Canada and the US. Amazon has also eliminated plastic delivery packaging in one of its US fulfillment centers, opting for paper-based alternatives. In 2023, they removed plastic shrink-wrap film and replaced plastic cushioning with paper-based dunnage in Japan, except for fragile items and gift packages.
Amazon's packaging strategy is guided by four pillars: Avoid, Optimize, Transform, and Innovate. They avoid additional packaging by shipping products in their original packaging whenever possible. When supplemental packaging is necessary, they prioritize lighter and right-sized options, using artificial intelligence to identify optimization opportunities. Amazon prioritizes household-recyclable materials and actively works to reduce single-use plastic packaging. They collaborate with public and private sectors to develop and implement more sustainable packaging solutions and improve global recycling infrastructure.
Amazon provides specific instructions for recycling different types of packaging. Cardboard boxes can be flattened, with tape removed, and placed in curbside recycling bins. Paper-padded mailers can also be recycled in the same way. For bubble-lined plastic bags, plastic bags, and air pillows, customers are advised to check if their city offers curbside recycling for plastic film. If not, these items can be taken to designated store drop-off locations, usually at convenient places like grocery stores. Amazon encourages customers to pop air pillows before recycling them.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Amazon bubble packaging cannot be placed in your curbside recycling bin.
Amazon bubble-lined plastic bags, plastic bags, and air pillows are accepted at designated store drop-off locations where plastic film is accepted. Locations are typically at convenient places like your local grocery store.
You can reuse your bubble wrap or offer it up for reuse on a community board. Alternatively, you might be able to give it away on Facebook Marketplace or to a local zero-waste group.
If your Amazon bubble packaging has paper on the outside with bubble wrap on the inside, it is made of mixed materials and cannot be recycled. You can reuse it or put it in the garbage.
