Expect to see some of your orders arrive in new eco-friendly envelopes

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Ever had a huge box arrive from Amazon with a tiny product inside? Found it to be a bit overkill and even wasteful? Amazon does, too. 

Though they are not entirely boxing up the old way of doing business, the online superstore recently introduced new and improved ways to get goods to Canadian shoppers. 

The new recyclable paper mailer (an envelope) was developed as a way to be mindful of reducing environmental impact and also as a response to customers who also want to see less packaging waste.

The shift to using a more appropriately-sized, environmentally-friendly mailer (that is padded to protect products inside) to get some goods out to shoppers will replace plastic ones as part of the company’s ongoing push to swap out plastic for paper wherever possible.

We visited Amazon’s 650,000 sq.-ft fulfillment centre in Balzac, Alta., one of 17 centres across Canada. 

At any given time, there are up to 1000 staff working at the site picking products (let’s call it shopping), packaging it up and sending it out the door. 

The place is surprisingly calm, with just the constant hum of conveyor belts that make it look akin to a rollercoaster at an amusement park. And it’s stunningly clean, organized and efficient. 

Part of the order-to-delivery process is the packaging stop. 

Amazonians (that’s what employees are called at Amazon) are assisted with technology that suggests the perfect options for the product, all in an effort to keep processing time to a minimum, explains senior operations manager, Sivakumar Muthusubramanian.

Whether products are shipped in a box or envelope depends on a few factors including an item size and weight and how much protection is required during shipping, said Amazon spokesperson Kristin Gable.

“ Boxes are also typically used when a customer has multiple orders in their shipment. The paper padded mailer primarily replaces a plastic bubble mailer, which is being phased out of our fulfillment centres,” she added.

For now, Returns can still be done in Amazon plastic bags, which can be saved, resealed and used for product returns by following the instructions on the packaging.

But why are batteries sent out in such big boxes?  In most cases it is to adhere to regulations, which in Canada are under the Transportation of Goods Act, during transport given they are deemed dangerous goods, Gable said. 

That means they have to be packaged in a way to prevent them from being damaged and in a “solid, rigid packaging with special labels that must remain visible without being folded” — something which can be accommodated by the appropriately-sized box, not an envelope, she explained.

The new mailers are just one way Amazon is always pushing to improve its eco-friendly track record. 

“Our goal is to integrate sustainable initiatives,” said Amazon employee and workplace health and safety specialist Samuel Azubuike. 

Last year, at the Balzac site where he works, they donated everything from school supplies to clothing and other essentials to 12 charities tallying to roughly $2.4 million worth of product.

Azubuike said by repurposing those items, which were mostly returned or discontinued, they  diverted about 80 tonnes of goods from landfills.

In the kitchen: HUNNYBEE Beeswax reusable food wraps

100 per cent compostable kitchen sponges

Mavis Miki reusable bamboo kitchen towels

In the bathroom: Greenzla reusable makeup remover pads with washable laundry bag

In the laundry room: Ecology organic, handmade wool dryer balls

Ekomind sustainable starter kit: Includes beeswax wraps, rraps refresher, produce mesh bages and reusable tote bag. All ethically-made, sustainable and eco-friendly. 

The recently launched Amazon Aware category has a wide  ‘everyday essentials’ with sustainability certifications.

Shopping Essentials is a new category that features highly-researched products, new and exciting launches or behind-the-scenes info — learn more .  All prices are accurate on the day of publication.

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