Enabling sustainable purchasing for businesses
Organizations in both the public and private sectors have a critical responsibility to build a sustainable future. Many are taking this responsibility seriously. PWC recently found that companies are increasingly including Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in their business strategies. A 2019 survey of more than 700 global companies found that 72 per cent reference SDGs in annual corporate reports.1
At Amazon Business, Amazon’s B2B solution for business purchasing and organizational procurement, we believe sustainable practices are good for the planet and good for business. We embrace the Amazon-wide commitment to sustainability and apply Amazon’s sustainability initiatives in our mission to enable businesses around the world to reduce their environmental impact and meet their sustainability goals.
Our mission: To enable businesses around the world to reduce their environmental impact
and meet their sustainability goals.
Our world has undergone a massive shift in 2020 with the emergence of COVID-19. The pandemic has demonstrated more than ever that we are all interconnected and interdependent. During these critical times, we remain committed to addressing the urgency of the climate crisis.
Here’s what we are doing to support more sustainable practices in the businesses and organizations we serve.
Sustainable product initiatives
Amazon Business is a resource for sustainable sourcing. We are working to help organizations purchase products that exceed the environmental benefits of comparable products, and dispose of products responsibly through Amazon’s sustainable product initiatives.
For Amazon-owned private brand products and Amazon devices, we work with many of the manufacturers and suppliers that produce our private-label selection to drive sustainability improvements through materials and ingredients, design, sourcing, and manufacturing technology.
We are building features in our store that will make it easier for customers to access comprehensive information about the sustainability of products. For example, to encourage brands to move away from potentially hazardous chemicals in their products, we are working to include more information on product ingredients and third-party certifications, including Safer Choice, Made Safe, Green Seal, and Cradle to Cradle.
“We know that purchasing from suppliers who operate sustainably is a priority for many of our Amazon Business customers,” says Clay Ryan, Head of North American Sales for Amazon Business. “We want to help buyers reach their sustainable purchasing goals more efficiently by allowing them to consolidate their purchasing to fewer channels.”
With additional product initiatives, we are making it easier for customers to reuse and recycle:
- Open-box, pre-owned, and refurbished products: Customers can find open-box, pre-owned, and refurbished products at reduced prices with Amazon Renewed, discounted deals on quality used products from Amazon Warehouse, and certified refurbished Amazon Devices.
- Amazon Trade-In: In the US, customers can visit Amazon Trade-In to learn how to receive an Amazon Gift Card in exchange for thousands of eligible items, including Amazon Devices, books, and more.
- Amazon Device Recycling: In North America, customers can visit Amazon Device Recycling to find out how to cut back on clutter and recycle electronic items, ensuring proper disposal.
Supply chain standards
While individual companies can, and are making a difference, it’s critical to acknowledge that no organization operates in a vacuum. Petra Schindler-Carter, Director of Amazon Business Go To Market explains, “All organizations today, from large enterprises to small businesses to public sector organizations, are interconnected across the supply chain. We rely on each other to do business, and we must work together to effectively solve large-scale problems. Each of us has a part to play.”
Amazon is strongly committed to engaging with suppliers who promote a sustainable future. To do this, we set a high bar for ourselves and our suppliers. We require that our suppliers contractually commit to our Supply Chain Standards, which include requirements to comply with applicable environmental laws.
Amazon encourages suppliers to look for opportunities to go beyond regulatory compliance obligations and make progress toward minimizing their impact on the environment, including the use of energy, air emissions, greenhouse gas emissions, waste, water, pollution, hazardous materials, and recycling through their entire operations. 2
Sustainable packaging
Sustainable packaging reduces the ecological footprint of a product across its life cycle and helps both sellers and buyers reduce their environmental impact. Amazon is redesigning packaging to reduce waste. We are working with our employees and with thousands of manufacturers worldwide to reinvent packaging options using a science-based approach that combines lab testing, machine learning, materials science, and manufacturing partnerships to scale sustainable change.
For example, we’ve designed our Frustration-Free Packaging programs to produce less waste than traditional packaging. Using a feedback button, associates can provide comments on products that may be capable of shipping without additional packaging—empowering associates to enhance our Frustration-Free Packaging programs.
We’ve also made our packaging easier to recycle, like our redesigned mailer that you can recycle in the same bin as Amazon’s iconic box. Learn more about Amazon’s sustainable packaging initiatives on the Day One Blog.
Sustainable shipping
Amazon has committed to making all Amazon shipments net zero carbon through Shipment Zero, with 50 per cent of all shipments net zero carbon by 2030. Our focus is achieving net zero carbon shipments through sustainable process improvements, recycled materials, investments in electrification, and renewable energy initiatives.
Committed to our customers and to the planet
Amazon Business is committed to and invested in sustainability because it’s a win all around—it’s good for business, the planet, our customers, and our communities.
Learn more on Amazon’s sustainability website, which provides comprehensive reporting on our carbon footprint and progress on our commitments.
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