Greetings Plastic-free supporters-

We continue to gain momentum as nearly another 75,000 people have signed on asking Amazon and other major shippers to offer plastic-free as a choice during online checkout. 

I've also enjoyed reading many great comments and suggestions so thank you for all of the thoughtful feedback. There have been over 20,000 so I'm making my way through them as fast as I can but wanted to address a couple themes that are popping up:

1. Why not boycott Amazon rather than ask for plastic-free?
We believe plastic-free is a consumer right. Where you shop and how you shop is also your right but the reality is, millions rely on the convenience of Amazon so we want to focus on a solution that can impact millions quickly, and conveniently. There are hundreds of thousands (now we know!) and likely millions who want to or need to keep shopping online but don't want to be fed unnecessary plastic they are then tasked with managing. We believe this solutions is an EASY and FAST way to impact change and that it can become the new norm. If you want to boycott, boycott but what we want is for plastic-free to become a readily available choice to all, all across the web. There is also a sector of shoppers who don't have easy choices to shop offline - elderly, disabled, those in remote locations, those who work long hours and have small children. This solution does not discriminate against those who rely on online shopping to make ends meet. 


2. Is legislation really the best way to get results?
It's not clear at this time. The fastest way to this change would be if Amazon and other online shippers voluntarily made this option available to meet customer demand. Legislation is not the fastest way or the ideal way but we have to keep it open as an option, especially if it comes down to protecting consumer rights and our rights as taxpayers footing the cost of the plastic waste crisis. Is it OK that we are sent waste materials that we did not ask for? Isn't it our right to know what is going to come into our home at the time we pay for it?
Can you imagine if retailers shoved a little bit of asbestos or lead into your order? We have to think of the plastic issue in that way and speak up to say WE DON'T WANT IT and we want the right to say NO.

3. Why just Amazon?
Ultimately, this petition is not just about Amazon. Because Amazon shipped over 46% of the 2.5 Billion packages last year (some reports are closer to 5.8 Billion), they have the power to impact the biggest change and to do so quickly. Amazon has also expressed interest in going greener and reducing plastic yet they increased their use of plastic last year to save on freight. Additionally, Amazon comprises as much as 60% of the USPS competitive business so they can also impact plastic for the world's second biggest shipper. 

Please continue to send questions and comments. I'm teaming up with some leading NGOs like Oceana and Upstream Solutions as well as with waste management experts to help you get answers. 

Thank you again for joining this movement to take back the consumer right to refuse plastic. 

Nicole Delma


[photo by Juan Patino]