E-commerce is growing by leaps and bounds, but at what cost to the environment? Between December 2021 and April 2023,ADEME (Agence de la Transition Écologique) and the French Ministry of Ecological Transition conducted a study to assess the environmental impact of e-commerce in France. The results are clear: our online shopping habits generate a significant carbon footprint . Fortunately, logistics solutions exist to reduce this impact, and Logisseo, an eco-responsible logistics provider, is at the forefront of this transition.

E-commerce and its environmental impact

With the rise of e-commerce, consumers benefit from increased convenience. But this convenience comes at an environmental cost. The ADEME study highlights several key aspects:

  1. An alarming carbon footprint: In France, e-commerce emits around 1 million tonnes of CO2 every year, equivalent to the emissions of 500,000 cars in continuous circulation. These figures illustrate the scale of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions generated by e-commerce logistics activities.
  2. Overconsumption of packaging is a cause for concern: The use of oversized packaging represents another environmental challenge. These packages, often filled with non-recyclable materials (bubble wrap, crimp, etc.), increase waste. This in turn exacerbates the problem of waste management and wasted resources.
  3. Under-utilization of delivery trucks: The study also reveals under-utilization of trucks, with an average capacity filled to just 64%. This logistical inefficiency multiplies journeys and, consequently, CO2 emissions, worsening the overall ecological impact .

Solutions for responsible e-commerce

Despite these challenges, ADEME suggests a number of avenues for greener e-commerce. By adopting better logistics practices, it is possible to significantly reduce our environmental footprint. Here are a few key measures:

Logisseo: a service provider committed to sustainable logistics.

At Logisseo, we firmly believe that efficient logistics can be ecologically responsible. Here's how we're implementing concrete solutions for sustainable e-commerce.

  1. Reducing our carbon footprint: As a committed logistics provider, we have taken steps to reduce our carbon footprint. We optimize our transport and warehousing processes, and work with Mobeetip to carry out an annual carbon assessment. This assessment enables us to adjust our practices and offer e-tailers an estimate of their environmental impact. We are currently working on providing our customers with a detailed carbon footprint by parcel. In the meantime, we are already able to provide them with precise data on the emissions generated by their logistics activities, particularly those linked to transport and packaging.
  2. Optimized packaging: We prefer environmentally-friendly packaging adapted to product size. This not only reduces waste, but also the use of superfluous cushioning materials. By integrating acircular economy approach, we reuse cardboard and incoming materials, thus contributing to a more sustainable model.
  3. Optimizing delivery routes: Transport accounts for a significant proportion of CO2 emissions in the logistics sector. At Logisseo, we are working on pooling collections to reduce the number of journeys made. By grouping together parcels from several e-tailers, we reduce the environmental impact of transport.
  4. Promoting sustainable delivery: We encourage our customers to opt for slower, more environmentally-friendly delivery options. Express deliveries, while attractive, consume a lot of energy. We also offer sustainable transport solutions, such as deliveries by delivery tricycle or electric vehicle, thus reducing the carbon footprint of deliveries in urban areas.

Committed to sustainable logistics

The ADEME study shows that it is imperative to rethink e-commerce logistics to minimize its environmental impact. At Logisseo, we are committed to reducing our ecological footprint at every stage of the supply chain, thanks to responsible practices certified by the AFNOR CSR label.

Make the choice for sustainable logistics and join a movement for responsible e-commerce. Contact us today to find out how our tailor-made solutions can help you reduce your carbon footprint while optimizing your logistics processes.

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