It isn't always easy to recycle "recyclable" packaging. Managing and minimizing our household waste is, without a doubt, one of those things we encounter on a day-to-day basis. While I continuously fixate on finding ways to reduce our family's volume of food waste and don't mind taking two trips to the Ecopark in one week with my recyclables, systematically there are so many barriers to successfully recycling.

As we round into the time of the year when households amass more waste than any other time of year (not statistically proven, just my POV), I was pleased to see an announcement from Amazon touting its all-new device packaging.

We've been Prime members for over a decade, and like us, you can probably agree that the packaging materials and the reduction of single-use plastics have improved a lot over the years. In fact, Amazon shared that last year, 90% of devices that were launched in the U.S. were delivered to consumers in 100% recyclable packaging. Amazon even retrofitted 120 machines previously used to create plastic packaging so they now produce using paper. 

The company also upgraded to water-based coatings (bye, plastic), and new paper wraps replaced plastic air pillows.  All of our paper recyclables went right into the recycling, although I often fretted that the adhesive sticker residue would completely negate my efforts. I think about my carbon footprint a lot, if you can't tell.

Packaging Updates That Stand Out

• New packaging for Amazon Echo, Kindle, and Fire TV products has 30% more recycled fiber content to reduce reliance on tree-based fibers. Across the entire device line, Amazon averages 98% wood fiber-based materials.
• Brown kraft paper replaces bleached boxes, allowing the company to double the amount of post-consumer recycled materials in its new packaging.
• The packaging uses 60% less ink, too.
• Tactile-marked QR codes make it possible for blind and low-vision consumers to set up devices; if you haven't bought recently, it's worth noting that Amazon devices also cut back on its printed product directions. The new QR code will make it easier for consumers to locate the digital set-up guide.

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Recycling Guidelines for the Holiday Season

A new Amazon survey conducted by The Harris Poll shared that 36% of Americans are more conscious about recycling during the holiday season than they are the rest of the year. This year in particular, 71% also shared that they're likely to upcycle the materials used for wrapping presents, and there's nothing wrong with that. When you do choose to recycle, remember these tips:

• Cardboard Boxes and Cardboard Envelopes: It's always best to to flatten boxes and remove packing materials like tape, plastic wrap, or Styrofoam before recycling.
• Wrapping Paper: Recycle plain, non-metallic wrapping paper. Unfortunately, your shiny, glittery, or foil-based paper, is non-recyclable (tell your mom that I said she should skip it next year).
• Gift Bags: Paper gift bags without glitter or plastic coatings can be recycled, but remove ribbons, handles, and tags first.
• Holiday Cards: Only paper-based cards can be recycled. Cards with glitter, metallic accents, or electronics should go in the trash. Whomp-whomp, 95% of the cards of the cards we received don't qualify. Mental note for next year!
• Plastic Packaging: Hard plastics can be recycled, but soft plastics (e.g., bubble wrap, plastic film) need to be taken to specific drop-off locations. Our local grocery stores have garbage bins dedicated to soft plastic recycling with an eye to reducing their own plastic pollution, and yours might, too.
• Christmas Trees: Check local programs for real tree recycling. Artificial trees aren’t recyclable — consider donating or reusing them. (We saved an old artificial tree and use it on our patio every year, covered with outdoor lights.)
• String Lights and Electronics: Bring old lights or electronics to designated e-waste centers, not regular recycling bins.
• Food Containers: Rinse containers thoroughly. I mean, with soap and water. Get all the leftovers out of the container before dumping it in the recycling bin. All the lazy day pizza boxes that arrived between Christmas and New Years can be recycled only if they're clean — no grease, no food bits.

Learn more about how you can reduce, reuse and recycle Amazon packaging this holiday season.