As consumers become more conscious of their impact on the environment, they are increasingly seeking sustainable shopping options. Amazon launched its Climate Pledge Friendly program in 2020. The company also aims to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2040. These initiatives have resonated with consumers and helped Amazon maintain its popularity as a choice shopping destination.
What is Amazon Aware?
Amazon successfully promoted sustainability and eco-friendliness with the launch of its new line of everyday essentials, Amazon Aware. With a focus on third-party certified products, the range features sustainable brands that meet the stringent criteria of Amazon’s Climate Pledge Friendly program.
The initiative is aimed at addressing the crucial issues that concern the supply chain of products from sourcing to end-of-life disposal, ensuring that rigorous sustainability standards are met at every step. Available across the United States, Canada, and Europe, Amazon Aware features a diverse array of products spanning different categories such as apparel, home, beauty, and more.
With a commitment to promoting sustainable brands and empowering conscious consumption, Amazon Aware is set to make a significant impact on the retail industry by offering an accessible and convenient option for customers who want to shop responsibly.
Amazon Aware Categories
Amazon Aware is a platform that promotes a more sustainable future by providing customers with access to a wide range of sustainable products from environmentally conscious brands.
The Climate Pledge Friendly program ensures that all the products on offer meet strict sustainability standards, making it easier for consumers to make environmentally responsible choices.
From household essentials to fashion and beauty products, Amazon Aware offers an extensive selection of sustainable products that support the global effort towards a greener and cleaner planet.
Skincare
Amazon Aware offers a range of sustainable skincare products that are not only free from harmful chemicals but are also certified carbon-neutral by third-party organizations. This means that the company is committed to offsetting its carbon emissions through various sustainability initiatives, such as investing in renewable energy and reforestation projects.
Home Essentials
In addition to skincare products, Amazon Aware also offers a line of sustainable bedding products, made using certified organic cotton and recycled materials. These products are certified by third-party organizations like OEKO-TEX and Made in Green, which verifies that the manufacturing processes have a minimal environmental impact and adhere to socially responsible working conditions. As an Amazon Aware brand, these sustainable household essentials prioritize sustainability without compromising quality and style.
Apparel
Amazon Aware offers a range of sustainable essentials made from recycled polyester fabrics and certified by third-party certifications such as Organic Content Standard 100, Global Recycle Standard, and HIGG Index Materials Seal. These everyday essentials are available in sizes XXS to 7x, providing an eco-friendly and inclusive solution for conscious consumers looking to shop ethically and sustainably.
How Sustainable is Amazon’s Climate Pledge-Friendly Program?
Amazon has launched its Climate Pledge Friendly program to promote sustainable shopping by empowering customers to make informed choices. The program certifies products that meet sustainability standards, including those that have lower greenhouse gas emissions, use energy-efficient technologies, and reduce waste.
While the program aims to drive positive change, the question arises: How sustainable is Amazon’s Climate Pledge Friendly Program? This research note explores the program’s strengths and weaknesses.
Strengths
Amazon’s Climate Pledge Friendly program is a significant step towards reducing the company’s carbon footprint and promoting sustainability. The program aims to encourage customers to choose products that have a low environmental impact and meet specific sustainability criteria.
External Certifications:
Amazon Aware is a collection of sustainably-sourced products that have been certified by third-party organizations. These certifications serve as an endorsement of the environmental and ethical credentials of the products. Third-party organizations are independent certifiers that provide verifiable information on the sustainability of the products.
The certifications held by Amazon Aware products vary depending on the category of the products. For instance, Amazon Aware apparel lines carry certifications such as the Organic Content Standard 100, Global Recycled Standard, or High Index Materials Seal. These certifications are indicative of the use of organic materials, recycled materials, or materials with a low carbon footprint.
Toiletries in the Amazon Aware collection may carry certifications from the Forest Stewardship Council. This certification ensures that the products’ ingredients are responsibly sourced and that the manufacturing process meets sustainability criteria.
It is important to note that Amazon has had no input in the development of these certifications. They were developed independently by third-party organizations to provide consumers with a reliable way to identify environmentally friendly and sustainable products.
The “Climate Pledge Friendly” badge is used to signify that an item in the Amazon Aware collection has been certified by a third-party organization. The certification organizations include Fairtrade, Cradle To Cradle, and others. The badge is not a certification in itself but rather a signifier of the product’s third-party certification.
Range of Products:
The Climate Pledge Friendly program has been launched with a wide range of products ranging from electronics to food products. The program covers over 25,000 products from over 500 brands. The diversity of products included in the program is commendable, enabling consumers to make more sustainable choices across different categories.
Sustainability Features:
Sustainability features in products include energy efficiency, renewable materials, and reduced waste. For instance, Amazon’s Echo Speaker (4th Gen), which has earned the Climate Pledge Friendly badge, uses less CO2 each year by entering a low-power state that requires less energy when not in use. Similarly, a shampoo product in the program uses only plant-based ingredients and is packaged sustainably, reducing the amount of plastic waste generated.
Impact on Climate:
Amazon’s Climate Pledge Friendly program has reported significant results in reducing carbon emissions. In 2020, the program helped avoid 1.9 million metric tons of CO2 equivalent emissions globally. This is equivalent to the electricity consumption of over 250,000 US homes annually.
Weaknesses:
Amazon, one of the world’s largest online retailers, recently faced accusations of greenwashing with its Amazon Aware product range. However, a closer examination of the product range reveals several weak points that undermine their claims of environmental sustainability and ethical sourcing.
Greenwashing claims:
Despite the program’s strengths, it has some significant weaknesses that need addressing. For instance, the program’s certification process is voluntary, which means that not all products on Amazon undergo environmental assessments. Therefore, customers may unknowingly purchase products that are not sustainable, undermining the program’s sustainability goals.
Incomprehensive Certification Criteria:
Moreover, the program’s criteria for certification are not stringent enough. For instance, products may receive certification by meeting a single sustainability criterion, such as using energy-efficient technology. It is possible for a product to have below-average sustainability performance in other areas but still receive certification. Therefore, the program should consider strengthening its certification requirements to promote more comprehensive sustainability.
Single-Use Plastic Packaging
Despite the company’s claims of being environmentally conscious, Amazon Aware products are delivered in single-use plastic packaging. The plastic used is not easily recyclable, and the company only accepts plastic for recycling in supermarkets. Furthermore, the use of plastic packaging contradicts the company’s commitment to reducing plastic waste and environmental harm.
Problematic Supply Chain
The majority of Amazon Aware products are produced in underdeveloped countries where labor is underpaid and raw materials are cheap. This raises concerns about the ethical sourcing of products and the exploitation of workers. Additionally, the transportation of these products over long distances contributes to carbon emissions and environmental harm.