Amazon on Wednesday launched a new program that will donate unwanted Marketplace products instead of dumping the items into the trash.
Fulfillment By Amazon Donations
The program called Fulfillment by Amazon Donations will have unsold products from third-party Marketplace sellers that store inventory in Amazon warehouses in the United States and the UK go to US nonprofit organizations and charities.
Amazon used to trash products left in its warehouses that the sellers were not able to dispose of. These products are often left in warehouses because they were returned, and some have defects.
A French TV documentary estimated that the company has destroyed more than 3 million products in France in 2018.
Since Amazon generates most of its sales in the United States, the number of destroyed items in U.S. warehouses is believed to be much larger compared with those in other countries.
The donations program is aimed at reducing the amount of inventory that needs to be dumped from Amazon warehouses, which can help the environment and put the otherwise wasted items to good use.
Starting Sept. 1, the FBA will become the default option for all sellers once they decide to dispose of their unwanted or unstored products in Amazon warehouses in the United States and the UK, but they can opt out of the program if they want.
Unwanted Products To Go To Nonprofits And Charities
The donations will be distributed to nonprofits in the United States through a group called Good360, which partners with retailers and consumer goods companies to source needed products and distribute them to nonprofits that help support people in need.
"Our partnership with Amazon provides hope and helps transform the lives of those who are facing challenging life circumstances, including survivors of disasters," Good360 CEO Matt Connelly said, according to The Verge.
In the UK, Amazon will work charities that include Newlife, Salvation Army, and Barnardo's.
"We know getting products into the hands of those who need them transforms lives and strengthens local communities," said Alice Shobe, director of Amazon in the Community. "We are delighted to extend this program to sellers who use our fulfillment services."
