Laura, a woman from the United Kingdom, was surprised when an enormous Amazon package arrived at her home containing a single, slim item—a garden umbrella. She had not checked the size or dimensions before ordering it, so assumed the umbrella was large, but the sheer amount of packaging paper and the size of the box seemed excessive. As Laura started opening the package, she realized what was happening and recorded a video that she shared on TikTok, garnering half a million views since its posting on May 27. The Amazon spokesperson stated that they are constantly improving their technology to match the right packaging with each product, especially for bulky items or unusual dimensions.
In the video on TikTok, Laura is seen digging through piles of packaging paper in the large box to retrieve the small garden umbrella she had ordered for her grandmother. Despite the comical amount of packaging used for a small item, Laura found it amusing and shared the video online with her father. She expressed surprise at the video’s popularity, as it was simply her unwrapping cardboard, but she received positive comments from viewers who had similar experiences with Amazon’s packaging. Some noted that the large boxes kept their pets entertained, showcasing a lighter side to the excessive packaging issue.
Amazon mentioned that they have over 80 different packaging formats available in their UK fulfillment centers, but certain products like umbrellas, tennis rackets, and gardening tools can be difficult to pack efficiently due to their awkward shapes. The company stated that they are making progress and will continue to invest in improving their packaging technology. Laura emphasized the need for Amazon to enhance their packaging system to reduce waste and received insights from comments on her video that Amazon staff use computers or machines to choose box sizes.
In 2022, Amazon delivered close to 4.8 billion packages in the United States, indicating an increase in deliveries compared to previous years. Other major delivery companies like UPS, FedEx, and USPS experienced a decrease in deliveries during the same period. Laura’s experience with the excessive packaging from Amazon adds to a broader conversation on sustainable packaging practices and the need for companies to prioritize environmentally friendly solutions. As consumers become more conscious of their environmental impact, there is a growing demand for companies like Amazon to improve their packaging processes and reduce unnecessary waste.
