How community power is pushing big corporations to go green

The Rise of Plastic-Free Packaging Petitions

At Change.org, we are seeing more and more consumers rally to demand that big corporations reduce their plastic packaging footprint to protect the environment. The collective power of their voices is creating significant momentum and driving change towards more sustainable business practices. Among these efforts, several petitions targeting plastic items like bottles and bags stand out, capturing public attention and leading to meaningful changes.

VICTORY SPOTLIGHT: Get Amazon to Offer Plastic-Free Packaging Options

In 2019, Nicole Delma started a petition urging Amazon to provide plastic-free packaging options. The petition quickly gained support, revealing the public’s strong desire for eco-friendly packaging from one of the largest e-commerce platforms in the world. The amount of plastic Amazon uses has significant environmental impacts, contributing to the excessive production of single-use plastic products and even the formation of new ecological habitats like the plastisphere.

Nicole believed that introducing plastic-free packaging options would greatly benefit Amazon by reducing waste, preventing misuse, and promoting sustainability. This petition’s strong traction underscored the consumer preference for businesses that prioritize environmentally responsible practices. 

Consumers are becoming increasingly aware of the environmental impact of plastic pollution on natural resources and are pushing companies to take responsibility. Petitions like this aim to address the extraordinarily difficult environment created by the pervasive presence of plastic waste and its detrimental effects on ecosystems. Along with citizen action, the Environmental Protection Agency plays a crucial role in supporting such initiatives by enforcing regulations and promoting policies that protect the environment and human health.

In June 2024, after five years fighting for her petition, Nicole declared her petition a victory with more than 780,000 signatures. She wrote, “After four years, I had all but given up hope that we could ever get a company as big as Amazon to listen but am delighted to share that they did in fact hear us and we accomplished what we set out to do. THANK YOU!”

In her victory update, Nicole shared that Amazon announced it will replace all plastic air pillows with recycled paper by the end of this year. The company says this will eliminate 15 billion plastic pillows annually.

This movement has inspired many more petitions on Change.org asking companies to reduce their plastic packaging footprint. Here are just a few that have made significant strides over the years.

Petition: Target, Stop Filling the World with Plastic Bags!

This petition calls on Target to stop using plastic bags, which are a major contributor to plastic pollution. The global quantity of plastics produced is increasing, including single-use plastic products like Target’s plastic bags.

Started in 2019 by the advocacy group Customers Who Care, this petition has resonated with more than 550,000 signers who want to see Target take a leading role in sustainability. By urging Target to adopt reusable or biodegradable alternatives, this petition continues to highlight the critical need for retailers to rethink their packaging practices and improve waste management to reduce their environmental impact.

Petition: Tell Coca-Cola you do NOT want plastic bottles!

Ashley Boeka started a petition urging Coca-Cola to stop using plastic bottles. At the Davos World Economic Forum in 2020, Coca-Cola’s head of sustainability announced that the brand would not stop producing plastic bottles due to customer demand for the option, noting “business won’t be in business if we don’t accommodate consumers.” Just two days later, Ashley started this petition to help environmentally conscious consumers make their voices heard, and it has since gained over 280,000 signatures.

This petition highlights the environmental damage caused by single-use plastics and calls for sustainable packaging solutions. It has garnered widespread attention, amplifying the demand for major beverage companies to adopt greener practices.

Plastics have been on the rise for more than 100 years. The first synthetic plastic, called Bakelite, was produced in 1907, marking the beginning of a rapid increase in global plastic production. Ashley and her petition signers believe that reducing plastic bottle usage is crucial in the fight against climate change, as plastic production contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions. 

In addition, plastic pollution poses serious health risks, including the accumulation of microplastics in human organs. When plastic is used to encase food, the risk of microplastic consumption increases. By advocating for alternative packaging materials, this petition seeks to hold Coca-Cola accountable for its environmental impact and encourage a shift towards more sustainable business models. 

Amazon: Prioritize Green Shipping for Big Deals Day

If you thought Nicole was done after one petition on Change.org, think again. More recently, Nicole started a petition emphasizing the need for Amazon to prioritize eco-friendly shipping practices, especially during high-volume sales events like Prime Day. It struck a chord with consumers who are increasingly concerned about the environmental impact of their online shopping habits.

Prime Day is one of the biggest global shopping events with billions of dollars in sales. However, the environmental cost of that consumption is substantial, and the increased demand for shipping leads to a surge in CO2 emissions. Monitoring and preventing excessive use of packaging materials can further enhance Amazon’s commitment to sustainability, ensuring that their practices align with the broader goals of reducing environmental harm.

The Power of Community

The traction these petitions have gained underscores the power of community and collective action. When people come together around a shared cause, they can create significant momentum and drive change.

On Change.org, we have thousands of petitions that target plastic production of companies big and small. People across the US are hoping to put environmental protections in place for future generations, including eliminating plastic waste. Petitions can lead to new environmental laws and regulations, inspire more environmental groups to form, and motivate more advocates for environmental justice.

Looking Ahead: Addressing Climate Change

The push for plastic-free packaging is a testament to the potential of community-driven initiatives in driving corporate responsibility. It showcases how consumer demand, when mobilized effectively, can lead to meaningful changes in business practices.

As we continue to support and amplify the voices of our users, we look forward to more moments of change. Reducing plastic pollution is essential to addressing the climate crisis and creating a sustainable future.

Join us at Change.org, where your voice can make a difference. Start a petition, mobilize supporters, and work with decision-makers to drive solutions in your community and beyond. Together, we can create a world where every voice is heard, and every action counts.