March 10, 2022
The world of commerce has seen a significant transformation in the last few years, and it shows no sign of stopping anytime soon. Today’s customers are more engaged in online shopping, expecting same day deliveries, and also demanding brands to be environmentally conscious.
With staggering statistics emerging, the world has turned its focus toward creating a more sustainable future. This includes eCommerce companies, who are trying to balance meeting increasing demands of fast and flawless delivery with eco friendly and sustainable practices.
Green last mile delivery is the process of integrating sustainable environmental methods in the delivery of products to buyers. This can include a variety of steps, including using environmentally friendly packaging materials, decreasing carbon dioxide emissions of delivery vehicles, and making delivery routes more efficient.
Perhaps in the past, prioritizing sustainability was a bonus for companies to boast about, but now having an environmentally friendly business model is essential. A World Economic Forum study shows that eCommerce growth will lead to a 30% increase in delivery-related carbon emissions by 2030.
With exponential growth in eCommerce, especially since the pandemic struck, it is time for companies to put the environment at the forefront of their targets. Not only is it the right thing to do, but creating sustainable habits is mutually beneficial for companies as well. Let’s take a look at the two main benefits of creating more sustainable last-mile delivery practices.
The most obvious benefit of green last mile delivery is decreasing waste production and consumption. Businesses can reduce their ecological footprint in every step of their supply chain, and last-mile delivery is no exception. Not only is the company making an ethical decision for a sustainable future, but it is also a profitable decision.
With greener last-mile delivery, companies are saving money on production costs and efficiency. Reducing carbon dioxide emissions directly impacts the costs of companies. Cutting mileage and fleet costs saves the company money and reduces its ecological footprint.
The emergence of the socially conscious customer, which is quickly making up the majority of buyers, raises the importance of green supply chains. In fact, 57% of consumers are prone to boycott brands that don’t share their social beliefs. Being able to offer a green last mile delivery satisfies and retains these eco-conscious customers.
The same research found that consumers today are much more likely to make purchase decisions based on a brand’s social beliefs. Therefore, it is beneficial for a company’s brand. With visibility and efficiency in last-mile operations, companies can reduce their carbon footprint while conveying their commitment to sustainability to their customers.
It’s no question that companies should be focused on creating sustainable habits, but how can this be realistically implemented? A major disincentive for companies has always been the cost and complexity of overhauling processes to be more green.
However, it’s becoming easier to streamline these changes with evolving technologies. Let’s look at the two most important steps that companies can take in providing green last mile delivery.
Who could’ve guessed that instant messaging could help the environment? Emerging technologies are making communication between companies, drivers and customers easier than ever.
Real-time communication and tracking increases visibility and reduces miscommunications that can lead to avoidable failed deliveries and backtracking. With fewer setbacks, routes are more efficient and unnecessary carbon emissions are reduced. Therefore, utilizing technology that enables real-time tracking and communication is an essential part of green last mile delivery.
Route optimization software has the potential to completely transform the environmental impacts of last-mile deliveries. With cutting edge technology, route optimization algorithms provide efficiency with last-mile logistics concerning route distance and fleet selection.
This takes all of the manual planning out and streamlines your processes. It considers all of your business objectives, costs, rules, and priorities. As growth in last-mile deliveries indicates a larger carbon footprint, optimizing route planning will reduce carbon emissions and enable eco friendly operations.
Now is the time for your company to take intentional steps toward making last-mile deliveries sustainable with our planet’s future in mind. This has never been easier with Optiyol’s next-generation solutions.
Our last-mile delivery solutions allow you to reduce your company’s carbon footprint and be at the forefront of eco-conscious brands. So don’t hesitate to take that first step in providing greener last-mile delivery.
As part of the EIT Urban Mobility portfolio, focused on mobility solutions to transition towards more liveable urban spaces, Optiyol is already at the frontlines of sustainability initiatives.
If you want to know more about Optiyol’s next-generation solutions to boost your green last mile delivery, we are ready to help.
