Singapore, 11 June 2024 – A recent study commissioned by Amazon reveals that a significant majority of Singaporean shoppers (77%) are open to receiving their online orders without additional delivery packaging. This shift in consumer preference is largely driven by environmental concerns and the desire to reduce waste and carbon emissions.
The survey found that 47% of respondents are happy to forgo extra packaging to save time on recycling or disposal. Additionally, 46% are motivated by the aim to reduce packaging material consumption, and 45% believe it helps conserve resources and lower carbon emissions. Furthermore, 43% think that eliminating added packaging is beneficial for the planet.
Amazon Singapore has been at the forefront of this movement, delivering essential items such as nappies, toilet rolls, and bottled drinks directly from their Fulfilment Centre without additional packaging. This practice not only makes shipments lighter, thereby reducing delivery emissions, but also eliminates the need for customers to manage extra packaging materials.
Globally, Amazon has achieved remarkable success in this area. Since 2015, the company has reduced the weight of outbound packaging per shipment by 41% on average and eliminated over 2 million tons of packaging material.
Products that Singaporean customers are most comfortable receiving in their original manufacturer’s packaging include toilet rolls, detergents, toiletries, clothes, and DIY items. Companies like Procter & Gamble are collaborating with Amazon to ship products, such as its Swiffer brand, without added delivery packaging.
Interestingly, the study also revealed items that customers prefer to receive with added packaging for discretion, such as contraceptive devices and haemorrhoid cream, as well as high-value items like smartphones and cameras. These categories are already shipped discreetly or excluded from Amazon’s reduced packaging program.
“Like us, our customers really care about reducing packaging, and we’ve made significant progress doing so for years,” said Vasantharaj Bharathi, Head of Operations, Amazon Singapore. “One way we do this is by working with manufacturers to design packaging that’s capable of shipping safely, without additional paper bags, envelopes, or boxes from us. We’ve already achieved a lot, increasing the number of non-grocery orders shipped to customers with no added delivery packaging in Singapore by 80% since 2021. We are working to ship even more deliveries the same way.”
The survey further highlighted that 80% of Singaporeans prefer to shop with retailers that reduce packaging material. Among these, 39% prioritize using recyclable packaging, 29% value reusable packaging, and 26% focus on ensuring that all packaging is recyclable.
Amazon ensures that products selected for shipment without added packaging have passed rigorous drop tests, guaranteeing safe and secure delivery. This assurance is crucial for 57% of respondents who worry about potential damage to items. Additionally, 31% expressed confidence in receiving their orders this way, knowing they can easily get a refund or replacement for any issues.
Globally, Amazon collaborates with product makers to design and test packaging that eliminates the need for additional delivery materials. The company also leverages machine learning algorithms to optimize packaging choices, ensuring minimal material usage and maximum protection.
Beyond packaging reduction, Amazon is committed to sustainability through initiatives like The Climate Pledge, aiming for net-zero carbon by 2040. With over 450 signatories across 57 industries and 38 countries, Amazon is also on track to achieve 100% renewable energy in its operations by 2025.
Learn more about Amazon’s efforts in reducing packaging and promoting sustainability here.
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About Amazon
Amazon is guided by four principles: customer obsession rather than competitor focus, passion for invention, commitment to operational excellence, and long-term thinking. Amazon strives to be Earth’s Most Customer-Centric Company, Earth’s Best Employer, and Earth’s Safest Place to Work. Customer reviews, 1-Click shopping, personalized recommendations, Prime, Fulfilment by Amazon, AWS, Kindle Direct Publishing, Kindle, Career Choice, Fire tablets, Fire TV, Amazon Echo, Alexa, Just Walk Out technology, Amazon Studios, and The Climate Pledge are some of the things pioneered by Amazon. For more information, visit About Amazon Singapore.
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