Brief
Amazon rolls out 30‑minute delivery and cuts single‑use plastic packaging
The retailer adds ultra‑fast delivery while cutting plastic in its North American shipments, according to company data.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Dozens of Amazon delivery boxes piled in a New York apartment lobby on the afternoon of Oct. 8 illustrate the company’s push for ultra‑fast service and greener packaging.
What happened
Amazon announced that it is rolling out 30‑minute delivery in select U.S. cities, adding to its two‑day Prime service introduced in 2005. The company also reported that the share of North American shipments using single‑use plastic fell from 65% in 2023 to 27% in 2025.
What the reports add
The Independent notes that more than 300 million items across over 35 categories now enjoy free Prime shipping, and that e‑commerce accounts for 17.4% of U.S. retail sales this year, or $1.4 trillion, according to eMarketer. It also cites Pat Lindner, Amazon’s vice‑president of mechatronics and sustainable packaging, on lighter, tighter, recyclable boxes and a shift toward using original manufacturer packaging for about 11% of global orders.
What was said
Pat Lindner told Independent that the company is “moving away from single‑use plastic packaging” and is redesigning boxes to be easier to recycle.
How it came about
Amazon began as an online bookseller in Jeff Bezos’s garage in July 1995, later expanding into CDs, DVDs, toys and clothing. Two‑day Prime deliveries launched in 2005, and the firm now commands roughly 40% of the U.S. online market, ahead of Walmart’s 11.4% share.
Key facts
- Amazon is introducing 30‑minute delivery in select U.S. cities. (independent.co.uk)
- Single‑use plastic packaging in North America fell from 65% in 2023 to 27% in 2025. (independent.co.uk)
- Amazon offers free Prime shipping on more than 300 million items across 35 categories. (independent.co.uk)
- E‑commerce is projected to be 17.4% of U.S. retail sales, about $1.4 trillion, in 2026. (independent.co.uk)
- Pat Lindner is Amazon’s vice‑president of mechatronics and sustainable packaging. (independent.co.uk)
Sources
- [1] independent.co.uk — originally reported as “Amazon's delivery box: a symbol of instant gratification and convenience”
