CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Amazon is trying to get rid of brown boxes, but the company still has a long way to go.
For many of us, online deliveries are constantly sitting on our front door step, but there's a new push to make the process a whole lot better for the environment.
CNBC reported that the U.S. goes through enough boxes to pave a road that's a mile wide from Charlotte to Los Angeles three times over. Amazon is looking to change that in a new attempt to reduce its waste.
The idea is to try and ship products in their original packaging. It's a major process to make it happen, though. According to Amazon, 11% of orders worldwide were sent in the original manufacturer packaging, including shipments from brands like Clorox, McDonald's and Starbucks.
Amazon is working with vendors to make sure packages don't get damaged during delivery. They have to survive drops off conveyor belts, vibrations and shaking during transit. Products are tested five times and each time something breaks, it helps Amazon learn what went wrong and how it can be fixed. The company also uses customer feedback, including damage complaints, to improve its service.
But some products, like groceries and liquids, need a little extra support. Amazon is experimenting with reusable bags. One of the biggest challenge is getting customers to change their habits and use those eco-friendly packages.
Regardless, it's all in an attempt to help reduce waste and save the planet, one shipment at a time.
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