At one time or another, we all need to ship something to someone else. Yes, most of the time it’s just a letter or two, and we merely deposit them in the mailbox and forget about it.
Packages are a bit different. Since the US Postal service is the only option we all have for letters, we have several different choices when it comes to sending someone a package. Granted, this can be as easy as again, taking it to Post Office and allowing them to ship it through the postal service. But if you are conscious about the greener ways to ship, in that respect maybe Uncle Sam isn’t the greenest choice out there.
To help you out, we put together some information about which of the major shipping companies can ship your package or parcel in the greenest way with the least carbon footprint.
Of the big companies out there, UPS ranks last for green shipping. But although they have the largest carbon footprint, that doesn’t mean they aren’t trying to be better. They have instituted green goals for the future, and they have gone public with their ideas. Look for them to get greener year after year.
The US postal service comes in third place. Their largest proactive measure to go green is having reduced greenhouse emissions through energy conservation, but perhaps better than that, they have set up educational programs for employees and consumers alike. Not bad, Uncle Sam, not bad.
FedEx came in last place in a survey just like this just a couple of years ago, but it has vaulted into second place with a solid green shipping agenda. They began to participate in the Environmental Protection Agency's SmartWay program, which is essentially an educational program for businesses to save money through greener transportation costs. And that’s exactly where Fed-Ex has made up ground on the leader, by curbing emissions on their aircraft and boosting the fuel efficiency of their delivery fleet.
Topping the list is German-owned DHL. They have the lowest carbon footprint of all, but they are doing it in a different way. This company is going green by expanding into the renewable energy field and investing into energy-efficiency programs. That’s akin to buying carbon offsets and going green that way. They also heavily support climate specific employee awareness programs as well as stating clear and absolute goals for the future reduction of greenhouse gases.
Because Action speaks louder than words, DHL comes in as the top dog in green shipping companies, but don’t count anyone out of the fight yet. In one way or another, they are all beginning to go green!
This article merely addresses the green quotient of each shipping company listed, and does not in any way state that any of them are better or worse when it comes to overall customer satisfaction or delivery performance.
Source: BecauseAction.com
