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Amazon accused of “greenwashing on a grotesque scale” over single-use plastic

By Nagasunder in Amazon News, posted January 4, 2023

Amazon has been accused of "greenwashing" after it was revealed its eco-friendly products are made 5,000 miles away and come in single-use plastic.

The accusations come after the launch of "Amazon Aware" in March 2022, leading to the online retail giant being accused of "greenwashing on a grotesque scale."

Despite the fact that several of the products were delivered in the same box, 20 of the 103 products were found to be wrapped in single-use plastic.

Amazon Aware was created to provide customers with "conscious" and "more-sustainable" options.

Speaking to The Telegraph, Green Party peer Baroness Jenny Jones called the concept “medieval indulgences that rich people paid to the church to bribe their way into heaven”.

She accused Amazon of “greenwashing on a grotesque scale”, adding: “Putting a green gloss on individually plastic-wrapped items from half a world away is not going to cut it.

Amazon Private Brands vice president Matt Taddy said: “We are committed to creating programs that contribute toward a more sustainable future”

"The Telegraph" bought 20 items, which were delivered in enormous boxes stuffed with extra brown paper.

The plastic used in the range can only be recycled at large shops.

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Three pairs of socks worth £17.80 were shipped in clear plastic and were produced in Pakistan.

An Amazon spokesperson said: “We approached Amazon Aware with two goals in mind, to give millions of customers access to everyday essentials across apparel, home, beauty and more, which also have third-party certifications from our Climate Pledge Friendly program and to build knowledge, materials and other innovations that improve the products sold in our stores.”

Source: Retail Gazette

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