As if I needed another reason to hate Amazon (and myself for using it)
Apr 12, 2021
Amazon Canada’s Earth Month selection promotes plastic waste.
Around the world, April is recognized as Earth Month. An entire month dedicated to celebrating our beautiful blue planet and being thankful for everything it does for us.
In ‘celebration’ of the earth, Amazon Canada has added a section to their online store so customers can “shop natural products”.
But you’d probably be surprised (or not surprised at all) to learn that most of the products being promoted in this ‘progressive’ Earth Month section are packaged in hard plastic or single-use containers.
Like so many who bash Amazon, I’m actually guilty of shopping from them. I’m a millennial who is often forced to sacrifice my ethics for convenience. Especially given the current state of the world when online shopping is the norm and I’m prioritizing my wallet over my morals.
Oh, but I hate Amazon and I always feel so dirty when I support it. It’s like that sickening feeling of waking up next to a sleazy ex after a wine-night booty call. *sigh* I guess it is what it is for now.
I’m embarrassed admitting I’m an Amazon shopper, but it’s because of this that I know (for a fact) that they actually have an incredible selection of sustainable products… which are what I expected to see when I clicked the Earth Month shopping portal on the app.
Utter. Disappointment.
To add insult to injury in the case of Amazon vs. The Earth, the actual Earth Day organization runs campaigns to educate people about plastic pollution. Of course, Amazon doesn’t care and probably didn’t think even look at the organization’s actions online before creating their promotion.
But why do we even expect that they would have?
For years, Amazon has been publicly scrutinized, shamed, and condemned for exploiting their workers, their immoral environmental practices, prioritizing corporate chains over small business owners, and just their overall monopolization of the economy sparking a retail apocalypse that independent merchants never recovered from.
They are a seemingly undefeatable Goliath. With everything Amazon does wrong, I’m just shocked that they missed this opportunity to do even one thing well.
While all of the products are organic, or natural, have biodegradable features, packaged in recycled plastics… whatever. It doesn’t change the message that Amazon and the powers that be still just don’t see plastic waste as a problem.
According to the Earth Day organization, plastic waste is a harming marine life and human health, in addition to destroying natural environments and landscapes, clogging waterways and overwhelming landfills.
Here are just some items on Amazon that could have been promoted for Earth Day instead:
Reusable ear swabs
Bamboo toothbrushes
Washable makeup removers
Menstrual cups / reusable pads
Fashion made from recycled materials
Wool dryer balls
Tote bags
Glass jars for bulk shopping
Reusable produce bags
Silicone or cloth sandwich bags
Reusable paper towels
Beeswax food wrappers
Silicone or cloth bowl covers
Reusable or biodegradable muffin wrappers
Washable coffee filters
Silicone baking sheets
There are no excuses, Amazon. I know it’s not you manufacturing these products, but why aren’t you using your power and influence for meaningful change?
Because at the end of the day, if anyone can afford to prioritize clean energy and environmental progress, it’s you… Jeff.
Do better.
