How to Reduce Plastic Packaging in Your Amazon Orders (And Grocery Delivery)

By Ashley Jean April 14, 2023 21 mins read 77 Views

Amazon's convenience is undeniable. This convenience comes at a cost: plastic waste.

Amazon orders are often awash in single-use plastic, from the products individually wrapped to the air cushion packs and bubble envelopes. Plastic is cheap, and people are willing to accept it. There are simple ways to reduce the amount of plastic in your Amazon box.

Let's first talk about and why.

Up to 50 percent of the 300 million tonnes of plastic produced each year is only used once and then thrown out. It's estimated 26 percent of plastic is used in packaging worldwide (like the unnecessary plastic found in Amazon shipments). 26 percent. Madness!

Plastics: The Problem
How to Reduce Plastic Packaging in Your Amazon Orders
Deliveries that are more eco-friendly
Amazon Grocery Shopping:
Make Your Voice Heard
Find out more about single-use plastic

Plastics: The Problem

Plastic that is thrown in the trash will end up on a landfill for hundreds of year, and may even outlive several generations of humans. This is a shocking thought when you think of the amount of plastic waste that has accumulated in our world.

The plastic waste in landfills can also be eaten by birds, who mistakenly believe it is food. The birds starve to die when their bellies are filled with plastic, instead of food.

Plastic never biodegrades completely. It only breaks down into smaller plastic pieces that are eventually consumed by marine life. This is just a tiny fraction of the problem.

We can do our planet and future generations a great service by reducing plastic waste.

How to Reduce Plastic Packaging in Your Amazon Orders

You don't want Amazon.com to stop being convenient, but you want to express your opinion by asking that they use less packaging in your orders. Follow these steps to let Amazon know your preferences:

1. Contact Amazon at (888-280-4331), and ask for "Plastic packaging." Ask the representative to:

Mark your account (and others in your household) as "no plastic" and let them know.
The representative will be able to report any "poor packaging" or "not enough padding". They can also note that the plastic packaging is harmful to the environment and not wanted. You can ask them to use minimal/zero packaging.
You can also provide general feedback on areas for improvement. This is escalated to the specialist team, and they will be brought to attention of the plastic issue.

2. You can select your delivery address when you place your order. Please use only environmentally-friendly packaging--zero-plastic whenever possible. "Thank You." This is now a permanent delivery instructions for all your orders.

Deliveries that are more eco-friendly

This won't eliminate all plastic, so you'll need to be mindful when shopping. You can also be more environmentally friendly with your Amazon purchases.

Ship slower if possible. Choose a slower option for delivery. Amazon drives large delivery trucks and flies planes that are almost empty to meet their "tomorrow" delivery guarantee. Check out the great video from University of California Irvine about the consequences of this.
As few shipments as you can. This can be done during the checkout process.
If you can group orders together with your friends, then do so! Request to group all of your orders. Amazon may still split orders up into multiple packages depending on the distribution center from which your order came. However, it is still worth making requests.

Amazon Grocery Shopping:

Amazon now offers convenient grocery delivery to online orders. This service can be extremely useful to many people, especially if you are a busy mom, or shopping for an elderly family member from afar.

When you order frozen or chilled items, the cold items are delivered in bubble-wrap style plastic bags.

What?

One reader told us that you can send a text to your shopkeeper after placing your order, asking them not to use plastic bags. Boom--planet helped! We've saved a lot of plastic.

Make Your Voice Heard

Amazon needs to know what you want. There are too many plastic Amazon shipping boxes in landfills, and they can't be recycled (despite the fact that recycling instructions are printed right on them).

Amazon will be more likely to make changes if we continue to tell them about our experiences. Please do your part by spreading the word!

Find out more about single-use plastic

One-Use plastic kills 100 million mammals every year
Bulk Bins vs. Packaged (The power of buying in bulk)
How to Become an Eco-Friendly Vegetarian

Allison Rivers Samson, Michelle Cehn and World of Vegan. Allison is a co-founder of The 12 Day Dairy Detox and the Plastic Waste Reduction Coalition. She works to protect the planet. Canva.com provided the cover photo.

The post Reduce plastic packaging in your Amazon orders (and grocery delivery) appeared first on World of Vegan.

By: Allison Rivers Samson
Title: How to Reduce Plastic Packaging in Your Amazon Orders (And Grocery Delivery)
Sourced From: www.worldofvegan.com/reduce-plastic-waste-in-amazon-orders/
Published Date: Fri, 14 Apr 2023 18:28:00 +0000

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is a plant-based diet the same as a vegan diet?

A plant-based diet can be very different from a vegan diet. A plant-based lifestyle is one that focuses primarily on fruits, vegetables legumes, nuts, seeds, whole grains and nuts. Although this eating style does not include meat, dairy or other animal products, it may contain small amounts of animal protein. Veganism is an ethical lifestyle that emphasizes a plant-based diet. It also avoids cosmetics and clothing made from animal products. Even though vegans may opt to follow a plantbased diet as part or their lifestyle, they are different concepts.

How can a plant-based diet improve your health?

A plant-based diet can have several health benefits. Consuming more plant-based food and less animal products is linked to lower rates of chronic diseases like stroke, heart disease and diabetes. Plant-based diets are rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. These beneficial compounds can protect against inflammation and prevent oxidative damage. A high intake of fruits, vegetables and legumes has been proven to have many benefits. The dietary fiber helps feed the gut bacteria and improves digestion. Plant-based meal plans are usually low in saturated fats, which may help improve cholesterol levels in the blood. Research suggests that a plant-based diet can reduce the symptoms of common mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression. Adopting a combination of plant-based proteins and healthy fats found in things like nuts or avocados can also help promote long-term satiety between meals.

How much meat is OK on a plant-based diet?

Plant-based diets do not permit any amount of meat. This lifestyle prohibits the consumption of any animal products, such as meat, poultry, fish and other animals. Fortunately, plenty of vegan substitutes can offer the same flavor and texture without animal products. Many soy-based proteins, such as seitan (wheat Gluten), tempeh(fermented soybeans), mock duck (made from mushrooms), and tofu (wheat gluten), can be used to mimic the flavors of traditional meat dishes. Vegetarian vegetarian burgers made with black beans, quinoa and other ingredients are similar in taste to beef burgers. Vegan alternatives include tofu mayo, coconut bacon strips and eggplant bacon bits. Vegetarian hot dogs can also be made using seasoned textured soyprotein. These options are perfect for those looking to make the transition to a plantbased diet.

Can I eat egg on a plant-based food diet?

No, eggs are not permissible on a plant-based diet. This diet bans the consumption of all animal products such as meat, fish, poultry, eggs and other animal products. There are many vegan options for traditional egg-centric dishes that have the same flavor and texture as eggs, but they don't rely on animal products. Tofu scrambles and omelets are great breakfast options that have the same appearance and texture as eggs. They also provide plant-based protein. Chickpea flour and mashed banana can be used to replace eggs in baked goods. Aquafaba, which is the liquid in chickpea cans, can also be used as an alternative to eggs when making meringues and other desserts. Flaxseed meal/chia seeds, or water substituted for one egg can help preserve non-vegan recipe without compromising the taste.

Can you still dine out at restaurants if your diet is plant-based?

Many restaurants are now offering plant-based options on their menus. Many vegan restaurants have opened in major cities and communities and offer delicious, healthy options. There are many options for vegetarians in mainstream restaurants. You still have the option to enjoy the food and enjoy the atmosphere while on a plantbased diet. Look out for recipes that include vegetables and legumes, such a tofu or tempeh, seitan or other protein sources, like beans. Vinegar and healthy oils can be substituted for mayonnaise or dressings that are high in saturated oil. Do not be afraid to ask your server whether certain items can be made vegan.

Also, it is worth looking into vegan cookbooks to find ideas for replacing meats or rich sauces. Most restaurants are happy to accommodate those who follow a plant-based lifestyle and will make every effort to accommodate them. Easy to enjoy a plantbased meal at a restaurant if you are creative and willing to do some research.

Statistics

In fact, according to research published in the going plant-based can cut grocery bills by $750 a year per person, Journal of Hunger & Environmental Nutrition. (forksoverknives.com)
Another found that following a diet rich in plant foods and lower in animal foods was associated with a 16 percent lower risk of cardiovascular disease and a 31 to 32 percent lower risk of death from cardiovascular disease. (everydayhealth.com)

External Links

How To

How do you navigate social situations when eating a plant-based diet

It is not easy to transition to a plant based diet. You will need to manage social situations like dining out with your friends. Be proactive before going out for dinner to ensure that you don't compromise your dietary preferences while still enjoying tasty meals. You should confirm which restaurant options you are interested in before going.

If the venue is suitable, start a conversation among friends and relatives about your preferences. This will avoid awkward conversations or misunderstandings about your dietary requirements. You can have faith in your chef and trust their judgement when making vegan dishes. If necessary, you can chat with them to help them better understand your needs.

Make sure you are stocked up on healthy snacks and beverages that don't contain animal products before attending events. As your non-vegan relatives settle into incorporating vegan recipes over time, recognize even the smallest gestures made regarding a plant-based diet: after all, adjusting kitchen habits is an ongoing process.

Even though it can seem daunting at first, it's possible to make friends and maintain a vegan lifestyle. It becomes second-nature over time. So start small and have faith!