Amazon expands Packaging-Free Shipment to 9 Indian cities

With this initiative, Amazon aims to reduce waste generated from secondary packaging of customer orders. Packaging-free shipping refers to orders shipped in their original packaging without secondary or additional packaging.

The programme is applicable to certain orders based on pre-defined parameters like the location of the customer, distance the order has to travel and the category of product ordered. Products that are shipped packaging-free include automotive accessories, tech accessories, home and home improvement products, shoes, luggage, and more. Liquids, fragile items, or products that need privacy are never shipped packaging free.

With packaging-free shipments, Amazon India minimises secondary packaging required for individual shipments by securing multiple shipments together in a reusable crate or a corrugate box. For example, in Bangalore, all shipments for Whitefield would leave the Bangalore Fulfilment Centre in the form of reusable crates that serve as protected covering for individual shipments, and thus eliminates the need to secure and pack each and every shipment with additional packaging material. The programme is now set to expand to cover more regions, with a wider selection of products and a larger customer base by the end of this year.

"At Amazon, we are constantly listening to customer feedback, which is extremely important to us. We hear when customers are pleased that their orders arrive on time and in perfect condition, and also when customers are looking for more sustainable packaging solutions. This has led to the new packaging innovation - delivering products packaging-free. Our investment in protecting the environment ensures a triple win – it is good for our planet, good for our customers and community, and good for the business,” Akhil Saxena, vice president, Customer Fulfillment, Amazon India, said.

The pilot of this India first initiative gave Amazon tremendous insight on customer response and has helped them improve and expand the programme. “I am extremely happy to see that the shoe box for my order has been delivered without any additional packaging. It is nice to see that there is no wasted packaging material used just for delivery," said a customer. Those receiving orders without secondary packing are informed of this initiative via email and also in a paper pouch placed on their physical shipment.

Amazon India has also extended its commitment to protect the environment to the communities around its fulfillment centres. It has set up solar energy systems in 4 Amazon Cares Community and Resource Centres in Haryana and around 30 government schools and 1 mini-planetarium in Bhiwandi, Maharashtra. This infrastructure supports the needs of more than 4000 students and community members across 70 villages in Haryana and Maharashtra. Amazon’s other recent environment-friendly initiatives include its assistance in the rejuvenation of the Mahadevpura Lake in Bengaluru and large-scale sapling plantation drive around its fulfillment centres. (RR)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk – India