E-commerce plays a significant role in ocean plastic pollution

Major e-commerce companies are playing a crucial role in ocean plastic pollution. For example, the report by Oceana Canada notes that Amazon generated 211 million kilograms of plastic packaging waste last year. That includes all the plastic “air pillows,” bubble wrap and other plastic packaging items, padding billions of packages. Therefore, recent customers’ surveys show that they also want plastic-free alternatives. Major online retailers should offer plastic-free packaging choices at checkout.

Non governmental organisations are calling on e-commerce companies to offer plastic-free options and make real commitments to reduce its plastic footprint. Moreover, governments are expected to expand the single-use plastic ban list and to include additional problematic plastic items, resins and material types.

Environmental advocates want action to be taken immediately. In fact, there are possibilities to rapidly reduce plastic packaging on a very large scale. Plastic packaging can be eliminated from fulfillment centers and replaced with a paper-based lightweight mailer. These are clear steps to solve the plastic problem, otherwise it is going to become even more frustrating, as e-commerce is expected to further increase.

Lithuanian company PaperSeal offers new product for more sustainable packaging. Bubble paper is a packaging paper with air bubbles. It is an eco-friendly alternative to bubble wrap made from 100% recycled paper. The relief material has excellent damping properties, it is ideal for wrapping delicate items and protecting them during shipping.

Packaging tape is an integral part of product packaging. It secures your valuable goods and ensures it arrives at its destination the same way it left the warehouse. But many tapes are plastic-based, and therefore end up in landfill, just like most single-use plastics. Switching to an eco-friendly alternative like kraft tape will ensure sustainability. Kraft tapes are made with either natural brown or white paper covered with natural glue.

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