Amazon’s Distribution Facilities Linked to Pollution and Inequity, University of Washington Study Finds
A recent study conducted by the University of Washington suggests that Amazon’s distribution facilities may be contributing to pollution and disproportionately impacting communities 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 often burden low-income neighborhoods with freight pollution.
Travis Fried, one of the lead researchers at UW, emphasized that Amazon is not solely responsible for this issue, but rather a reflection of historical processes observed for decades. Amazon disputed the study’s findings, stating that its warehouses are located in industrial parks and coexist with other companies that also engage in shipping goods within the community.
The study revealed that neighborhoods within two miles of Amazon’s “last mile” facilities experience twice as much traffic from delivery vehicles and trucks compared to other areas in the Seattle metro region. These “last mile” facilities, including delivery stations and sortation centers, represent the final leg of a package’s journey through Amazon’s extensive distribution network before reaching customers’ doorsteps.
Furthermore, the study found that these neighborhoods near Amazon facilities have a higher proportion of low-income households and people of color compared to the rest of Seattle. Surprisingly, despite bearing the pollution burden, residents in these neighborhoods actually order 14% fewer packages than the Seattle average.
The researchers argue that these findings highlight an inequity between those who benefit from online shopping and those who bear its costs. However, the study did not compare e-commerce emissions to other freight-related emissions, leaving it unclear whether online shopping has accelerated existing trends.
The focus on Amazon in this study stems from its dominant position in the online shopping landscape. Last year, Amazon accounted for nearly 38% of the U.S. e-commerce market, making it the country’s leading online retailer by a significant margin.
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 being a good neighbor and its efforts to become a more sustainable company. Amazon has invested in an electric delivery fleet, sustainable packaging, and renewable energy in its data centers. The company has also pledged to introduce 100,000 electric vans by 2030.
Travis Fried hopes that in addition to electrifying delivery vans, there will be increased focus on improving the efficiency of trucks that transport consumer goods before reaching the “last mile” facilities. Making these trucks more efficient, whether through electric fleets or optimizing shipment capacity, would have a significant impact on communities affected by pollution.
This is not the first time Amazon has faced allegations regarding its warehouses. Previous analyses have shown that Amazon tends to build warehouses in neighborhoods primarily inhabited by people of color, leading to concerns about air pollution, safety, and noise levels.
As Amazon plans to expand its warehouse network and adopt a regionalized model for faster deliveries, Fried hopes that stakeholders will reconsider land use policies. He suggests that warehouses should be integrated into the urban fabric, citing examples from Paris where “logistics hotels” serve as multiuse warehouses with additional amenities like tennis courts, rooftop urban farms, or data centers.
While acknowledging the necessity of goods for cities to thrive, Fried believes that with some changes, people can experience the benefits of warehouses more positively.
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