I just received a package from Amazon. On the package, there was a recycling symbol printed in two places. Under each symbol was the following statement: “THIS NEW PACKAGE IS RECYCLABLE”. The package was two layers of brown wrapping paper with a cushioned layer in between. I was very excited to have a padded envelope that was recyclable until I cut the two layers to discover shredded Styrofoam was the padded layer. UGH!
This packaging is NOT RECYCLABLE. I checked with the manager of the Balcones recycling facility here in Austin. This is what he said, "The material is not recyclable in its current form. The mixed material of paper and foam makes the material incompatible with paper recycling. There isn’t a way to remove the two different types of material from each other."
This package can be reused for mailing but must be thrown in the trash cart (rather than the blue recycling cart) when it can no longer be used.
I reached out to Amazon’s CEO, Jeff Bezos, but have heard nothing yet. I use Amazon a lot and am very disappointed that they are promoting something as recyclable when it is not. It is especially frustrating with recycling contamination being such a huge issue.
Please pass the word.
That stinks. Thanks for the heads up. And lettuce know if you hear back from Amazon.
ReplyDeleteI have wondered about those packages. I just assumed it was filled with shredded paper. Grrr.
ReplyDeleteI had the same thought, but further research suggests these are recyclable. "The paper padded mailer is recyclable in the mixed paper and cardboard recycling stream. The mailer is made up of four layers of paper and a water-based cushioning material that protects products during shipping, ensuring the customer’s order arrives undamaged. The cushioning material is created with components commonly found in the glue used to make cardboard. The cushioning material was specifically designed to easily separate from the paper in the same way that print inks and other paper coatings are removed during the paper recycling process."
ReplyDeleteI read the same information on the Amazon website. I confirmed with the manager of our recycling sorting facility here in Austin that this mailer is not recyclable in our market. I know it is confusing when a company says something is recyclable but not everything is recyclable in all markets. A good example is the Tetra paks. The company that produces them claim they are recyclable but they are not in many markets including Austin. This is the packaging that almond milk and some juice comes in.
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