Ten years ago this holiday season, Amazon introduced its Frustration-Free Packaging. The program was “designed to reduce waste and delight customers with easy-to-open, 100% recyclable packaging,” says Amazon. Frustration-Free Packaging also eliminated plastic bindings, wire ties, and clamshell casings to make boxes simple to open. It also enabled Amazon to ship products in their original packaging, eliminating the need for an additional shipping box.
Since launching in November 2008 with 19 items, Amazon’s packaging programs have grown to include both Frustration-Free Packaging and Ships in Own Container. In 2017 alone, Amazon has delivered 120 million shipments with packaging that is certified Frustration-Free or Ships in Own Container. So far, Amazon's sustainable packaging innovations have removed 181,000 tons of packaging material and prevented the use of 307 million shipping boxes.
“A decade ago, we set out to invent packaging that is easy for customers to open, eliminates waste, and ensures products arrive undamaged on our customers’ doorsteps,” says Kim Houchens, director of Customer Packaging Experience at Amazon. “Our certified packaging programs, including Frustration-Free Packaging, have delighted tens of millions of customers around the globe—and we’re adding new products to these programs every day.”
Amazon says one of the biggest challenges in e-commerce packaging is making it as compact as possible without compromising product safety. To tackle this challenge, Amazon collaborates with manufacturers worldwide to redesign their packaging. The goal is to cut down on waste across the supply chain while ensuring products reach customers without damage. Amazon tests products extensively at its Packaging Lab in Seattle and at fulfillment centers worldwide to discover ways manufacturers can improve their packaging. Manufacturers can collaborate with packaging engineers at Amazon's Lab to create and test new packaging for a specific product on the same day. Only products that successfully pass this rigorous testing program are certified as part of Amazon’s Frustration-Free Packaging Program.
Brands Embrace Frustration-Free Packaging
Says Hasbro, Inc. SVP, Global Government, Regulatory Affairs and Corporate Social Responsibility Kathrin Belliveau, “For years, Hasbro has been hard at work to make our toy and game packaging more sustainable. We love how Frustration-Free Packaging allows us to deepen our commitment to sustainability, enables our consumers to enjoy their toys and games the minute they unwrap the box, and reduces waste—good for the environment, good for consumers, and good for business.”
Says Colgate Palmolive Chief Supply Chain Officer Mike Corbo, “Sustainable growth for Colgate Palmolive means a focus on minimizing our environmental impact while continuing to expand our global business. Working with Amazon on packaging innovations has enabled us to do just that. Packaging waste is costly—for the business and for the planet—so we’re excited to be working with Amazon to drive sustainability improvements.” PW
