The use of parcel lockers could be key to reducing emissions from last-mile delivery operations, according to a new report from consultancy Last Mile Experts.
The Green Last Mile Europe 2022 report stated that due to the e-commerce boom, the number of courier express parcel services has grown. This has led to a surge in the emissions emitted from the delivery sector.
The report recommended parcel lockers as a solution as one parcel locker could reduce CO² emissions by 13,845kg per year, offering the quickest way to cut CO² from last-mile fleets.
It stressed not only do parcel lockers make last-mile logistics greener but also more efficient and ensure customers receiver the parcel first time. The lockers also help to reduce congestion and noise pollution by removing delivery vans from streets.
Furthermore, it added while the “widest possible” roll-out of out-of-home delivery solutions would help, education of both consumers and policymakers is also required.
Jason Tavaria, CEO at InPost UK, said: “This report serves as a stark reminder of our collective responsibility to ensure a sustainable future.
“As the e-commerce industry goes from strength-to-strength, we need to work collaboratively to achieve these goals — finding greener last mile solutions that ensure our impact on the climate is front and centre and encouraging consumers towards these. This is something we are committed to leading in order to secure a greener future for all.”
InPost reported that its network of lockers saved nearly 100 million litres of fuels across Europe in 2021, it estimated it eliminated emissions of hundreds of thousands of tonnes of CO².
