Amazon eliminates 15 billion plastic air pillows
Technews Industry Guide: Sustainable Manufacturing 2024
Electrical Power & Protection
By Heather Clancy, VP and editor at large, GreenBiz Group.
Amazon has replaced its single-use plastic air pillows with recycled paper in 95% of its delivery boxes in North America. The move will cut an estimated 15 billion of these cushions annually. Approximately 40% of Amazon orders were shipped like this. The Seattle-based retailer had cut 37 150 tons of plastic packaging since 2020, but it still used 85 916 tons of single-use plastic in 2022. Eliminating the pillows represents Amazon’s biggest plastic reduction yet. The company is phasing out single-use plastics across its worldwide delivery network. It has eliminated extra packaging completely by shipping about 11% of items in their original boxes.
“Wherever we can, we use recycled content. But sometimes automation technologies make that more challenging,” said Pat Lindner, vice president of mechatronics and sustainable packaging at Amazon. “Even if you can collect them, used air pillows are difficult to recycle because they often jam sorters. Paper and other fibre products are suitable alternatives.” Aside from being eligible for curbside recycling, paper absorbs drops and other stresses more effectively than pillows. ”Paper fills ‘crumple zones’ and absorbs energy from impacts, rather than allowing items to bounce around,” said Clint Haynes, vice president of Stress Engineering, which helped Amazon replace the air pillows.
Amazon tested the changes in an innovation centre near its Seattle headquarters. The company replaced the feeders for the plastic air pillows with canisters that dispense the paper. “Our new process gives employees more flexibility, and allows them to be more thoughtful about their packaging,” concluded Lindner.
Further reading:
South African businesses can alleviate energy price crisis
Electrical Power & Protection
While grid instability remains a concern, the immediate and most critical driver of South African commercial and industrial investment in renewable energy is the escalating cost of electricity.
Read more...
Real-time modelling is the key to a resilient, bi-directional energy grid
Schneider Electric South Africa
Electrical Power & Protection
Utilities and municipalities are facing a challenge as the country’s legacy power grid, engineered for one-way energy delivery from centralised suppliers to end-users, must rapidly evolve to meet a new paradigm.
Read more...
Shielding data centre growth from the looming power crunch
Schneider Electric South Africa
Electrical Power & Protection
Today’s digital economy is placing unprecedented strain on the power grid. The good news is that these challenges are not insurmountable. By adopting proactive strategies such as alternative power sources, infrastructure planning and software, operators can secure capacity, build resilient facilities and scale sustainably.
Read more...
Circuit breaker innovations
Schneider Electric South Africa
Electrical Power & Protection
Recent advancements in circuit breaker technology have seen a major step forward in setting new standards for efficiency and sustainability in data centres, industrial and commercial infrastructure.
Read more...
Common battery tester errors and what they mean
Comtest
Electrical Power & Protection
Battery testers help quickly assess battery health, diagnose issues, and determine whether a battery needs a charge or replacement. This guide covers some of the most common battery tester errors, what they mean, and what can cause them.
Read more...
Cathodic protection design considerations that influence ESG outcomes
Omniflex Remote Monitoring Specialists
Electrical Power & Protection
Major infrastructure like wharves, bridges, pipelines and tanks are at constant risk of corrosion. David Celine, managing director of cathodic protection specialist Omniflex, explains how CP system design can support ESG commitments, while simultaneously lowering costs and improving maintenance capabilities.
Read more...
Africa’s digital future – building critical power infrastructure for data centre leadership
Electrical Power & Protection
Africa’s digital economy is growing rapidly, and countries like South Africa, Nigeria and Kenya are leading the way. However, a major challenge remains. Sustainable and reliable power systems must form the backbone of Africa’s digital growth to ensure lasting success.
Read more...
Recovering condensate and waste heat
Electrical Power & Protection
According to Associated Energy Services, strong partnerships with thermal energy users optimise opportunities to benefit from condensate return. waste heat recovery and the prevention of system contamination.
Read more...
Quantum engine powered by particle entanglement
Electrical Power & Protection
In a landmark achievement that signals a new era in energy research, a team of physicists in China has carried out the first successful test of a quantum engine powered by particle entanglement. This technological breakthrough represents a fundamental shift in our approach to energy production.
Read more...
Advancing sustainability in South Africa’s fruit industry
Schneider Electric South Africa
Electrical Power & Protection
Schneider Electric, together with Technoserve Medium Voltage, has implemented its advanced SF6-free MV switchgear at Two-a-Day situated in Grabouw in the Overberg district.
Read more...
printer friendly version