Amazon Recycling: Boxes, Mailers and Old Devices
Amazon boxes, paper mailers and packing paper go in most curbside bins, plastic bags go to store drop-off, and old devices can be traded in or donated.
By Olivia HarperContributing writer. Policy checked .
On this page
Store programs change, and so do local recycling rules. This is a summary in our own words of Amazon's Recycle packaging page on Amazon.com and its customer sustainability page, read on October 27, 2026. Your city's recycling program has the final word on what goes in your bin.
Amazon.com packaging, piece by piece
Amazon's Recycle packaging page lists each kind of packaging it sends and where it should go.
| Packaging | Where it goes, per Amazon |
|---|---|
| Cardboard box | Most curbside programs; flatten it and remove the tape first |
| Paper padded mailer | Curbside, with boxes and other paper |
| Brown packing paper | Most curbside programs |
| Plastic bag | Curbside in some cities, otherwise a store drop-off that takes plastic film |
| Bubble-lined plastic bag | Curbside in some cities, otherwise a store drop-off that takes plastic film |
| Paper mailer with air bubble padding | Not recyclable; garbage bin |
| Reusable gift bag | Reuse it; garbage bin once it is worn out |
Amazon says it is moving its gift bags to a version made of 100% recycled material. The page links to a drop-off locator for plastic film, so you can find a nearby store that accepts it.
The paper padded mailer is the one that changed most. Amazon describes it as a mailer that can go in the same bin as its boxes, and its page links to a story about how the mailer was developed.
Grocery delivery packaging
The same page covers Amazon grocery deliveries:
- Amazon Fresh paper bags, insulated paper bags, the bottom board and paper insulation: recyclable in most curbside programs. Amazon says the insulated bags, made with paper and foil, were tested for curbside recycling.
- Paper ice cream pouches: recyclable in most curbside programs, and reusable if clean and dry.
- Produce bags: in most cities, take them to a store drop-off for plastic film; a few cities collect them curbside.
Old devices and electronics
Packaging is only half the story. On its customer sustainability page, Amazon says customers can trade in qualified used Amazon devices and other electronics for Amazon credit. Traded devices are either refurbished and resold or recycled through certified partners. Amazon reports that customers traded in 835,000 devices in 2025. Our Amazon trade-in guide covers how trade-in works and the free recycling options for items with no trade-in value.
Donating instead of recycling
The same page describes Give Back Box, a way to send packaging and used items to charity. You fill a box with things you no longer need, print a free shipping label, and drop the box at a UPS or USPS location. The items are then donated.
Quick checks before the bin
- Flatten boxes and peel off the tape.
- Keep plastic film out of curbside bins unless your city accepts it.
- Put bubble-padded paper mailers in the trash, since Amazon says they are not recyclable.
- Check your city's rules when Amazon's page says most programs, not all.
Sources
Recycle packaging, Amazon.com; Sustainability for customers, Amazon. Policy checked October 27, 2026.