Sustainability is a pressing concern in the shipping industry.
When it comes to the realm of shipping, an industry synonymous with greenhouse gases, large carbon footprints, and air pollution, any efforts made to increase sustainability are appreciated.
In this article we look at the importance of keeping sustainability at the forefront when it comes to Small Package and Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) shipping.
In the United States, transportation accounts for 28% of the nation’s greenhouse gas emissions and of that, 42% comes from freight shipments. Broken down even further, of that 42%, 23% is from the trucking or motor freight industry specifically.
Why should shipping companies care?
Shipping companies can also benefit from making a conscience effort in reducing their carbon footprint.
- A substantial percentage of consumers have been proven to favor vendors whose core values include eco-consciousness. According to a Global Consumer Insights survey, 61% of millennials aged 27-32 are more likely to support companies that are conscious and supportive of protecting the environment.
- Financial benefit is also to gain through sustainability efforts – reducing operations costs and resource consumption can lead to more optimized finances and better overall fiscal health.
- Being sustainable does not only refer to the climate, but to operational efficiency as well. By streamlining operations, these companies are indeed helping to reduce emissions but are also improving their own workplace performance.
How have shipping companies already made changes?
We are starting to see the ways in which some small package and LTL shippers are already adopting climate actions. USPS has over 246, 000 vehicles travelling over a billion miles per year and are aware of the impact that can have on our planet. Some climate-minded solutions they have adopted are optimizing truck routes, ensuring loads are as full as possible before departing to reduce the number of trips needed, and planning to deploy more than 66,000 electric vehicles by the year 2028.
Other shippers have their own approach to sustainability. FedEx is aiming for carbon neutrality by the year 2040. One of their methods for achieving this goal has been to collaborate with a number of other eco-conscious companies. BrightDrop, who enable emissions-free deliveries with their electric delivery systems, is one of them. They have started a pilot program with FedEx Express that has allowed couriers to handle 25% more packages per day, thus optimizing resources.
How can you, as a business owner, help?
When choosing your shipping provider, ensure that they are keeping in mind all of the possible ways that they can optimize sustainability in their offerings. By working with providers who continuously value these goals, you are making a difference too.
In conclusion…
While operating sustainably can sometimes be logistically complex, any extra effort made by small package and LTL shippers will have a significant impact on the well-being of our climate.
