Consumers are driving fair and responsible logistics trend

A new report by DHL titled ’Fair and Responsible Logistics’ asserts that by embedding fair and responsible logistics at the core of the business model, logistics providers ensure profits grow hand in hand with sustainability, creating lasting competitive advantage.

In the report, the key drivers of the fairness and responsibility transformation are analyzed, most importantly the growing expectations of consumers to ‘go fair.’ It also highlights that while many companies today are relying on digitalization and new technologies as key sources of business rejuvenation, they should not overlook the movement toward fair and responsible business as this is becoming an important source of future growth and lasting competitive advantage.

The report describes 15 potential use cases to show how logistics companies can facilitate the circular economy and enable fair access, production and trade.

Supply chain can lead the fairness and responsibility transformation
An underlying theme in the report is that ‘doing well comes from doing good.’ By adopting this approach, logistics can leverage its position in managing global trade networks and supply chains to also accelerate fair and responsible business in other industries.

For example, logistics providers can establish recycling-friendly warehouses and trucks that provide the infrastructure for both logistics and recycling to increase recycling volumes and reduce waste. This use case envisages delivery trucks equipped with flexible interiors that adjust during delivery; the section for delivery reduces as parcels are offloaded and the collection area increases as recyclables are collected on the return journey.

Fair and responsible packaging solutions can help to cope with burgeoning parcel volumes. These would utilize bio-degradable and other eco-friendly materials that can be composted in gardens after delivery. A second innovation is “logistics unverpackt,” a concept that completely eliminates the need for online delivery packaging; items would be delivered in reusable containers, achieving a zero-waste approach.

A further example aims to propel fair production and trade. It proposes that logistics providers leverage their global reach and expertise to support companies in mapping out complex end-to-end supply chains. This information can then be used to establish transparency and to expose areas where there are risks and opportunities for fair and responsible business.

Download the report.

 

.