We are driving a waste-smart strategy across all locations to refuse, reduce, reuse, repurpose, and recycle waste.
Increase On-site Packaging Recycling
To begin recycling more of our packaging at our on-site fulfilment centers (FCs) we first needed to understand our current state. In 2018, we conducted an audit of our recycling activities across our US fulfilment centers to see how much paper, corrugate, wood and plastic film is currently being recycled. With this information we are now developing consistent recycling standards and partnerships across our fulfilment network. Stay tuned for more information to come.
Waste Audits to Inform Our Path to Zero Waste
In 2023, we started working our way to complete seven (7) zero waste baseline assessment audits across our US facilities in California, Florida, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.
By the end of 2024, we will have completed five (5) zero waste baseline assessments across our US Fulfilment centers in line with our 2025 goal to achieve zero waste for our US sites. Our overall diversion across the US FC network was 90%, which is a significant step toward our zero waste goals. For reference, this is over 11,283 tonnes of solid waste diverted away from landfills and back into beneficial reuse as recycled material products.
*In terms of next steps, our US FC network is moving towards external certification as TRUE zero waste sites by the end of 2025. Included in that effort will be:
- Ongoing Waste Characterization
- Current and New Diversion Implementation
- Employee Engagement & Training
- Contamination Monitoring
- Zero Waste Validation
- Process and Procurement Change Initiatives
- Zero Waste Operations Implementation
- Diversion Data Tracking
- Continuous Landfill Review
- Annual Network Assessments
Beyond external zero waste certification, we are targeting waste reduction innovation at the site level by fulfilment operations and Green Teams, piloting technologies, measuring ROI including waste diversion, sharing best practices, and recognizing waste reduction/elimination innovation.
* Footnote By 2025, all US sites to achieve the GBCI/ZWIA* definition of zero waste: an average of 90% or greater overall diversion from landfill, incineration (waste to energy (WTE)), and the environment for solid, non-hazardous wastes for the most recent 12 months. Diverted materials are reduced, reused, recycled, composted and/or recovered for productive use in nature or the economy. *GBCI: Green Business Council International; ZWIA: Zero Waste International Alliance
Outbound Packaging Reduction Initiatives
There are many ways in which we are reducing the overall amount of packaging we use, as well as improving the recyclability of our packaging. We are also switching to post-consumer recycled content as much as possible and implementing waste reduction initiatives at our fulfilment centers.
Visit our Supply Chain Emissions Page to read more.
Plastic Bank
In 2024, we were thrilled to announce an exciting new partnership with Plastic Bank to support the collection and recycling of plastic from the environment!
Through this partnership with Plastic Bank, we’re aiming to gather 50 tonnes[MG1] [GP2] of plastic year-round and recycle it into Social Plastics[MG3] [GP4] , recycled feedstock that is reprocessed and reintegrated into products and packaging for consumer goods. This will help reduce the reliance on virgin plastics and greatly decrease greenhouse gas emissions associated with manufacturing.
By turning plastic into currency, we’re empowering the collection and exchange of discarded plastic. We believe that by working together with Plastic Bank and other partners, we can create a brighter and more sustainable future for everyone.
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