Australian NFL star and Super Bowl winner Jordan Mailata is trading the offensive line for the Amazon packing line in his new position as the company’s Packaging Reduction Officer.
The Aussie-born Left Tackle for the Philadelphia Eagles is used to protecting a very important package on his field – the quarterback – and he is now turning his skills to tackling packaging waste.
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Mailata, who played for the South Sydney Rabbitohs Under 20s before chasing his NFL dream, will suit up to ensure items shipped from Amazon’s Australian fulfilment centres have the right amount of packaging while ensuring the item is protected.
“The most sustainable packaging is no added packaging at all, but I know from experience, some things need extra protection to make it to the end zone. And that’s where I step in,” Mailata says.
“My role is to make sure Amazon can protect your package, so it comes to you in perfect condition, but using the least amount of delivery packaging needed.”
In Australia, one in 10 products shipped by Amazon is delivered safely in its original packaging. Why put a box inside another box?
Since 2021 the number of orders to Australian customers with no added packaging has tripled with the aim of reducing packaging waste.
Amazon Australia has also ceased packing items in single use plastic delivery bags, with limited exceptions.
Today customers also receive packages in flexible paper bags and padded envelopes which can be easily recycled.
All products are carefully assessed and tested to ensure they are received by customers undamaged. But when packaging is required, Amazon opts for minimal and lightweight packaging.
Globally half of customers’ orders ship with either less packaging or no packaging at all.
“While I’m used to life as a Left Tackle, it turns out I’m just as good at tackling packaging waste problems too,” Mailata said.
“Like most Australians I care about my impact on the environment and reducing waste. I hadn’t realised how much work Amazon puts into making its delivery packaging more sustainable, so it’s been awesome to join the team here and help shine a light on the progress they’re making.”
Amazon Australia has already worked to reduce packaging and replace it with sustainable packaging solutions like paper dunnage (the scrunched up brown packaging to protect items in a box) and water activated tape. All these materials can go in your recycling bin.
“We know our customers care about reducing waste, and so do we. That’s why we’re focused on eliminating delivery packaging where we can, reducing it where we can’t, and improving recyclability across the board as we work to deliver what’s best for customers and the planet,” says Matt Benham, Country Manager, Amazon Australia. “Jordan is the best Aussie there is when it comes to tackling problems and efficient protection on the field.
“He’s proven just as capable in the warehouse as our Packaging Reduction Officer, showing how we deliver the right protection for every product using the least packaging possible.”
