NEW recyclable packaging has started to land on UK doorsteps following a collaboration between Amazon and Mondi to tackle unnecessary packaging.
Amazon scientists and engineers worked with Mondi to develop a new paper-padded envelope with shock-absorbent, paper-based lining. The envelopes are designed to protect deliveries without using any plastic content, unlike those lined with bubble wrap.
The design is said to be ‘simple and effective’ and intended to keep products securely in place, while at the same time absorbing stress put on the package during its journey.
Due to the lightweight lining, the package is said to be ‘much lighter’ than equivalent-sized cardboard boxes and easy to fill without wasted space due to their ‘greater flexibility’ and the fact they don’t require additional padding materials to be added.
“Amazon stopped using traditional bubble-wrap padded envelopes in Europe several years ago, which presented a challenge to develop light, flexible and fully recyclable paper packaging that provides the same protection,” said Thais Blumer, European head of sustainable packaging for Amazon. “Achieving both low weight and maximum protection with a 100% recyclable paper envelope was not an easy task, but these envelopes are easy to pack, simple for customers to recycle at home, and enable damage-free deliveries.”
The new paper-padded envelope gets its strength from the lightweight paper used for the outer package paired with a corrugate inner lining. The flexible design of this lining also features multiple ridges, allowing the packaging to fold around its contents in a way that makes it ‘simple and quick’ to pack. By preventing goods from shifting inside the package, the envelope safeguards products in transit.
“Together with Amazon, we spent several months testing our designs, evaluating various padding options such as honeycomb and embossed bubble paper. Ultimately, open-flute padding — a flat paper sheet attached to a sheet of ridged paper — proved to be the best solution,” explained Pedro Cuesta, a packaging engineer from Mondi.
“Creating a plastic-free padded mailer for e-commerce packaging has been an exciting collaborative journey towards a more sustainable future. We are proud that Amazon customers all over Europe could soon be receiving orders in these envelopes.”
The paper-padded envelopes are available in three sizes and can be used to protect single and multiple items. These include purchases ranging from skincare and health supplements to home and office items, as well as toys.
