While participating in and promoting efforts to protect the environment, Amazon maintains some enduring practices. An example of this is the millions of unsold inventory each year that are returned by new products or consumers.
The British network ITV News made the discovery in a statement at the company’s warehouse in Dunfermline, Scotland, one of the US multinational’s 24 service centers in the United Kingdom. This is not the first time the company’s item-destroying policy has attracted global attention. In the case of the British, however, the rate seems to be much higher.
In 2019 a similar situation was found in France. Greenpeace has recently been following this practice with Amazon in Germany, banning it even after laws have been passed in the country.
The company’s researchers worked for several weeks at a logistics center in Wensin and found that the company maintained the process of destroying items there, including clothing.
Why is that happening?
The explanation for these destructions lies in the company’s business model. Many partner suppliers leave their products in the company’s distribution centers, which, when unsold, become the most popular location. Opportunity.
A former employee of the company said in a statement that it destroys about 130,000 products a week. The destroyed items include smart TVs, laptops, drones, hair dryers, headphones, computer hard drives, books and thousands of masks. Occasionally MacBooks and iPods.
“Overall, 50% of all items were not opened and were still in their vacuum packaging. The other half was withdrawn and in good condition. They are insensitive to what employees are being asked to do,” he said.
In one week in April, more than 124,000 items were marked as “clear,” according to an internal document from the warehouse where the report was approached. By comparison, only 28,000 items were placed as “donations” during the same period.
In a British press release, he said that Amazon was moving towards a zero product removal policy and would make it a priority to resell, donate to charities or recycle any products that have not been sold.
“No supplies have been sent to land in the UK. We will send supplies for energy recovery as a last resort, but we are working hard to reduce how many times this happens to zero,” he said.
சாய் Requested a position from the company, but did not receive income until this report was published.
Effect
Greenpeace spokesman Sam Chetan Welsh said it was shocking to see a multi-billion dollar company disposing of goods this way.
“Things that are not even single-use, but unused, go straight from the production line into the dustbin. As long as Amazon’s business model relies on this kind of disposal culture, things will get worse. The government should take immediate action.”
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has promised to investigate the US company’s practice. “We want to see more recycling and recycling, but above all we want to prevent people from using our oceans and things that pollute our world, that is, we want to reduce the use of plastic,” he said.
Amazon recently joined the global effort to protect rainforests and was established in partnership with Global Hope, A “The Climate Pledge“, An attempt to complete the Paris Agreement was targeted ten years ago and will reach zero carbon levels by 2040.
Henry Blackwell is a contributor at Mediarunsearch.co.uk, covering a wide range of topics including news, politics, business, technology, sport, entertainment, and lifestyle. He focuses on delivering clear, balanced reporting and useful information that helps readers stay informed about current events and emerging developments. His work highlights stories that matter to everyday audiences, with an emphasis on accuracy, relevance, and accessible journalism.