Companies

Electric Delivery Vehicles

Electric vehicles

In recent years, cost of electric batteries has dropped, and researches and investments have discovered new materials that can lighten the weight of vehicles and reduce the battery size of electric trucks. Hence, more courier companies are investing in electric vehicles as an effort to be environmentally responsible.

Examples:

  1. In 2014, DHL has bought over an electric van company “StreetScooter” and is now using over thousands of electric delivery vans.
  2. In 2017, FedEx has included 292 electric vehicles to its delivery services. At the end of 2018, FedEx has more than 2100 electric vehicles in service.

By switching to electric vehicles, it can potentially cut carbon emissions down to zero. Moreover, pedestrians walking past an idling delivery van would not be breathing in toxic gases produced by the combustion of diesel and petroleum. Electric vehicles are also quieter and hence increasing the quality of lives of people.

Centralised Pick Up Locations

POPStation in Singapore

POPStation is a 24 hour service that allows consumers to pick up their items anytime and anywhere. There are over 140 POPStation locations in Singapore and they are conveniently situated near residential areas and shopping malls. By using such a service, it helps reduce the possibility of failed deliveries as consumers can now collect their items whenever they are free. Also, it helps to reduce carbon emission from delivery trucks as compared to travelling to each individual residential area. It allows for a more consolidated delivery process.

Use of Reusable Crates/ Biodegradable Bags

Reusable crate
2-in-1 degradable delivery bag that can be reused for return shipment

Instead of using cardboard boxes and polymailers, whereby most consumers would not have any use for, the use of crates could possible help reduce waste generated. These crates can either be reused for storage purposes at home, or they can be returned to courier services for other delivery purposes.

Moreover, by switching to biodegradable packaging, it helps to reduce the demands of landfills when wastes cannot be removed. Some online fashion stores have adopted the use of 100% biodegradable bags, such as Zalora and ASOS. Courier companies can also try to optimise their packaging by using minimal wrappings for the delivery of items. They can help repack and remove any unnecessary packaging before delivering it to the customers.