Green delivery and why it really matters today

During my time as CEO of DPD UK, I learned that one of the great things about leading a brilliant company is everyone’s commitment to the constant pursuit of innovation. Particularly when it came to innovations that helped us to be more environmentally friendly, socially conscious and sustainable. And we really led the way on all things ‘green’, including green delivery.

In 2020, DPD UK announced a bold ambition to become the greenest delivery company on this planet. And launched a great new DPD Green website to share everything the company was doing in this area, to get people, schools and businesses involved too.

Of course, this was just before the whole world was hit with one of the biggest challenges we’ve ever faced – COVID-19. While DPD and businesses around the world have risen to this challenge, it’s still important to maintain momentum on green delivery. A side effect of the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting global lockdowns is that pollution and greenhouse gas emissions levels have dropped dramatically. It could lead to longer-lasting falls in emissions, but inevitably as we return to ‘normality’ and people start to move freely again, levels will rise.

Which is why the green agenda, and for our business, green delivery, will matter more than ever.

How DPD UK led the way on green delivery

While we all worked hard to ensure we looked after everyone at this unprecedented time, the company was also transforming every aspect of its operations.

This included investing in electric vehicles (EVs), creating new urban delivery models through city centre micro-depots, and investing in creative ways to improve waste and energy management.

And the reason why I’m sharing this story in my blog, and am so passionate about it, is because I believe that it is everyone’s responsibility to ‘think green’. We should all be contributing to green solutions – every business, corporate entity, person, politician and government.

One of the biggest challenges facing delivery companies is to reduce both traffic congestion and emissions, particularly in urban areas. And to balance it with the constantly growing demand from customers for online deliveries.

Here’s what DPD did and the benefits.

• Building the largest all-electric delivery fleet in the UK

In 2019, DPD added 139 electric vehicles (EVs) to its fleet. In January 2020, the company ordered 300 new electric e-NV200 vans from Nissan, which will be running by May. In February 2020 100 eTGE 3.5t right-hand drive EVs  were ordered from MAN Truck & Bus UK, which will be on the road by June 2020. By the end of the year, at least 10% of the fleet will be clean, green and emission-free.

• Creating electric micro-depots in cities across the country

We wanted to make emission-free deliveries in cities. By creating all-electric micro-depots close to customers in urban areas, delivery is faster, quieter and more sustainable. The first all-electric micro-depot in the country was opened by DPD UK in Westminster in 2018 and the second in Shoreditch in 2019. The company is building on this with a network across central London.

• Massively reducing plastic content in our packaging

All plastic packaging is now made from 80% reclaimed material and is 100% recyclable.

• Raising cash for charities while recycling customers’ unwanted clothing

Trialling a pioneering clothing recycling system with a customer – ASOS. This was due to launch in April 2020 but now will launch when COVID-19 lockdown restrictions have been lifted.

• Offering funding to schools, start-ups and educational establishments through the DPD Eco Fund

Cash is raised via various company initiatives, and this goes into an Eco Fund to help schools, start-ups and more. Anyone can apply for funding, and the company is particularly interested in supporting schools, colleges and educational facilities across the country. This year, the Eco Fund has £140,000 to give to applicants. There is more information about it on the DPD Green site.

• Avoiding landfill and reducing waste

No DPD waste goes to landfill. That’s 100% of DPD UK waste being disposed of sustainably and responsibly.

• Generating electricity through solar power

Energy management is key, and the company only buys electricity from renewable sources. Two hubs run solely on solar power during the day. The network now uses LED lighting, which has reduced usage by 61%.

• And… DPD got inventive

The company joined forces with an Oxfordshire start-up to invent an emission-free city centre delivery vehicle, the EAV P1 cargo bike.

DPD understands that green issues are important both to retail and delivery customers. Our partner companies are just as invested in reducing emissions and their carbon footprint, and this teamwork leads to fascinating initiatives that are driving the right behaviours across the board.

We have asked people to share their green ideas with us so we can do some amazing things and get even better. The DPD Green site is the place where you will find plenty of ‘green inspiration’ for your business, or home, too.