Amazon Announces Big Changes Coming To Packages In Minnesota

You'll soon see a noticeable change in those familiar Amazon packages when they land on your doorstep here in Minnesota.

Minnesotans LOVE to shop on Amazon it would seem. According to a recent survey, Amazon was ranked as the Most Trusted Retail Brand in the U.S., even though it didn't even exist until 1994.

Amazon has a fairly decent footprint here in the Land of 10,000 Lakes. In fact, the online jobs site Indeed says you can find Amazon warehouses and fulfillment centers in the following Minnesota locations:

• Brooklyn Park
• Lakeville
• Maple Grove
• Shakopee
• St. Cloud
• Woodbury

And, this Amazon Wikipedia entry notes that one of Amazon's global corporate offices is also located here in Minnesota, in Minneapolis as well. And now the online giant just announced a big change that will change its packages before they're shipped to our front doors here in the Bold North.

SEE ALSO: The Most Trusted Restaurant Chain in the US Has 112 MN Locations

According to a release, Amazon said plastic is out, and paper is in. As in those familiar plastic air pillows Amazon puts in packages to keep merchandise from breaking while being shipped? Yeah, they're being phased out in favor of recycled paper. It's a move Amazon said is more eco-friendly but is one that will also provide just as much-- or even better-- protection for packages shipped here in Minnesota.

USA Today says the move is a big one:

The change is part of a multi-year plan to remove plastic delivery packaging from fulfillment centers in North America. Amazon said replacing the roughly 15 billion plastic air pillows used every year with recycled paper is the 'largest reduction in plastic packaging in North America to date.'

Amazon said it first tried the switch from plastic to paper at an automated fulfillment center in Ohio in October and was able to transition 95 percent of its shipments to paper within a year.

So when will we see that changeover from plastic to paper here in the Gopher State? Amazon said it hopes to fully remove those familiar plastic air pillows by the end of the year, if not sooner. And, it said, most, if not all, packages ordered and delivered on Prime Day in July will be packed with paper filler.

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Plus, Amazon said it's partnering with a firm in San Francisco to develop new AI-based technology to cut down on other excess waste to help avoid those times when you would get a small item packed in a much bigger box loaded with plastic fillers.

I don't know about you, but I'm all in favor of this new change-- even if it means we won't be able to pop those plastic air pillows anymore!

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