Amazon’s Distribution Facilities Linked to Pollution in Communities of Color, Study Finds
A recent study conducted by the University of Washington suggests that Amazon’s distribution facilities may be contributing to pollution in neighboring communities, 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 neighborhoods with freight pollution.
In response to the study, Amazon disputed the findings, stating that its warehouses are located in industrial parks and share space with other companies involved in shipping goods. Travis Fried, one of the lead researchers at UW, emphasized that Amazon is not solely responsible for the situation, but rather a reflection of historical processes observed over decades.
The study revealed that neighborhoods within two miles of Amazon’s “last mile” facilities, which include 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 near Amazon’s last-mile facilities actually order 14% fewer packages than the Seattle average. This discrepancy underscores the inequity between those who benefit from online shopping and those who bear the environmental costs.
While the study focused on Amazon due to its significant presence in the online shopping landscape, accounting for nearly 38% of the U.S. e-commerce market last year, it did not compare e-commerce emissions to other freight-related emissions. Therefore, it remains unclear whether online shopping has accelerated existing pollution trends or if these trends were already in place.
Amazon spokesperson Jennifer Flagg criticized the study, stating that the company was not involved in the research process and considers the methodology and conclusions flawed. Flagg emphasized Amazon’s commitment to being a good neighbor and its efforts to become a more sustainable company. The company has invested in an electric delivery fleet, sustainable packaging, and renewable energy in its data centers. Amazon has also pledged to introduce 100,000 electric vans by 2030.
Travis Fried, the lead researcher, hopes that the focus will shift towards making the trucks that transport consumer goods more efficient. This could involve developing an electric fleet or improving shipment capacity to reduce the impact on communities affected by pollution.
This is not the first time Amazon has faced allegations regarding its warehouses. A Consumer Reports analysis in December 2021 revealed that Amazon tends to build warehouses in neighborhoods primarily inhabited by people of color. Residents in these areas have expressed concerns about increased air pollution, safety issues, and noise levels.
The study relied on data from 2019 and was based on information collected by the Puget Sound Regional Council, a transportation planning organization. As Amazon plans to expand its warehouse network and adopt a regionalized model for faster deliveries, the study’s findings and public concerns are particularly relevant. Fried hopes that stakeholders will reconsider land use policies to allow warehouses to be established in neighborhoods that receive the most packages. However, he emphasizes the importance of integrating these facilities into the urban fabric rather than simply placing them next to residential areas. Fried cites examples from Paris, where “logistics hotels” serve as multiuse warehouses that incorporate amenities like tennis courts, rooftop urban farms, or data centers.
Ultimately, the study aims to prompt discussions and changes that will enable communities to benefit from goods while minimizing the negative impacts associated with freight transportation and warehousing.