Simple Ways for a Courier Driver to Cut Carbon Emissions

Many businesses are these days focusing on reducing their carbon emissions - both to help the environment and improve their reputations as green businesses. As a courier driver, you may be keen to do your part to reduce your carbon emissions. By doing more for the environment you can use this as a unique selling point to generate more business, or you may simply want to 'do your part'. Either way, there are a number of things that you can do; here are some simple and effective tips.

Drive a More Efficient Vehicle

Your vehicle is going to be responsible for the largest amount of carbon emissions during your everyday tasks, so it makes sense to start with this if you want to become a greener driver. One thing you could consider is investing in an electric or hybrid vehicle. This will clearly boost your green credentials, and it will be a very visible sign that you take your eco-responsibilities seriously. This can be to your advantage when it comes to marketing your services. However, it many not always be feasible, especially if you cannot afford such a vehicle. As well, an electric vehicle may only be suitable if you cover a small area, and may not be such a great option for longer distances.

Alternatively, you could simply invest in a more fuel-efficient vehicle. Some vehicles will use more fuel than others, so try to find the most fuel-efficient delivery vehicle in your budget and you will automatically be doing something towards reducing your carbon footprint.

Add a Bicycle Service

If it is feasible for your business, you could even consider adding a bicycle delivery service. This is one of the most energy-efficient ways to deliver packages in a town or city, and you can use it as a way to show that you are doing your bit to reduce your environmental impact.

Have a Recycling Policy in Place

Developing a recycling policy as a courier driver can be a good way to make a difference and to demonstrate your green credentials to your clients. As well as committing to recycling all the waste you produce in your business, you could also encourage your clients to use recycled packaging, or even offer to recycle packages for clients as a free service when you make deliveries.

Join an Environmental Scheme

Another idea is to commit to donating a certain amount of your profits each year to an environmental charity or a carbon-offsetting scheme. You could then display this prominently in your marketing materials, and it could encourage clients to use your services knowing that they are also helping the scheme every time they use your service.

Join an Online Exchange

Another very important way to run your business more efficiently is to join an online exchange in order to secure back loads on the return journey. If the return leg of a journey is not empty you will reduce your carbon footprint significantly.

Become a Greener Courier Driver

If you want to reduce your carbon footprint and run a more environmentally friendly business these are just a few of the steps you can take. It does not have to be complicated to go greener in the courier industry, but it will take some dedication on your part.

Norman Dulwich is a correspondent for Courier Exchange, the world's largest neutral trading hub for same day courier driver jobs in the express freight exchange industry. Over 2,500 transport exchange businesses are networked together through their website, trading courier jobs and capacity in a safe 'wholesale' environment.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.