Amazon’s Distribution Facilities Expose Neighbors to Pollution, Study Finds
A recent study conducted by the University of Washington suggests that Amazon’s distribution facilities may be contributing to pollution in surrounding neighborhoods, particularly those predominantly inhabited by people of color. While the study does not directly blame Amazon for the elevated pollution levels, it highlights the company’s facilities in Seattle as representative of long-standing development trends that disproportionately burden low-income communities with freight pollution.
Amazon, however, disputes the study’s findings and emphasizes that its warehouses are located in industrial parks alongside other companies involved in shipping goods. According to Travis Fried, one of the lead researchers at UW, Amazon is not solely responsible for this issue, as it reflects historical processes observed over decades.
The study reveals that neighborhoods within a two-mile radius of Amazon’s “last mile” facilities, including delivery stations and sortation centers, experience twice as much traffic from delivery vehicles and trucks compared to other areas in the Seattle metro region. These neighborhoods also have a higher proportion of low-income households and people of color.
Interestingly, the study found that residents living close to Amazon’s last-mile facilities actually order 14% fewer packages than the Seattle average. This highlights an inequity between those who benefit from online shopping and those who bear the environmental cost.
Although the study did not compare e-commerce emissions to other freight-related emissions, it focused on Amazon due to its significant presence in the online shopping landscape. Amazon accounted for nearly 38% of the U.S. e-commerce market last year, making it the country’s leading online retailer.
In response to the study, Amazon spokesperson Jennifer Flagg criticized the methodology and conclusions, stating that the company was not involved in the research process. Flagg emphasized Amazon’s commitment to sustainability and being a good neighbor. The company has invested in an electric delivery fleet, sustainable packaging, and renewable energy in its data centers. Amazon plans to roll out 100,000 electric vans by 2030, with 10,000 already on the road.
Travis Fried, the lead researcher, hopes to see increased focus on improving the efficiency of trucks that transport consumer goods before they reach the last-mile facilities. This could involve developing an electric fleet or optimizing shipment capacity. Fried believes that such improvements will have a significant impact on communities affected by pollution.
This is not the first time Amazon has faced allegations regarding its warehouses’ impact on communities. Previous analyses have shown that Amazon is more likely to build warehouses in neighborhoods primarily inhabited by people of color, leading to concerns about air pollution, safety, and noise levels.
The study relied on data from 2019 and calls for a reconsideration of land use policies to allow warehouses to be established in neighborhoods that receive the most packages. Fried suggests that these facilities should be integrated into the urban fabric, citing examples from Paris where “logistics hotels” serve as multiuse warehouses with additional amenities such as tennis courts, rooftop urban farms, or data centers.
As Amazon continues to expand its warehouse network and adopt a regionalized model for faster deliveries, the study’s findings and public concerns raise important questions about the environmental impact of e-commerce and the need for sustainable solutions in the industry.