I just logged into my Amazon account and saw the following letter from the CEO. I think we can all agree that manufacturers have gone overboard on their packaging — making it impossible to get at the items you purchased as well as disregarding any kind of sustainable packaging. I feel it’s even more of an issue for all those wonderful kids toys we purchase Walker (and the eco-friendly inner hippie in me feels bad enough we’re propagating additional plastic toys for their inevitable extended stay in the city landfill).

So, I applaud Amazon for being customer-focused. (And no, I’m not so naive that I don’t recognize this is a good marketing tactic that differentiates them from their competition but hey, it’s a win/win program.) They could continue to ship products with impossible packaging but they’ve taken their leadership and focused it on something that not only helps the consumer but hopefully will change the way manufacturers present their products. I often feel exhausted just contemplating the work involved in solving some of the bigger problems at work, in society, or across the world. But I’m energized by Amazon’s stand.

OK. Little steps. But the iceberg can be moved.

frustration-freepackaging