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UPS goes carbon neutral

Last fall, UPS led by example when they debuted their new carbon neutral shipping capabilities. Being the first small package carrier in the U.S. to do so, this launch further solidifies their stance as an industry leader in sustainable products.

Still a relatively new concept, UPS customers now have the option to pay a nominal fee to calculate and, more importantly, offset the carbon emissions of their shipments. The way to do it is simple. Once you’re logged in to your UPS account online and have begun creating your shipment, simply check the box that says “Offset the climate impact of this shipment” (see image below). Once the carbon neutral option is selected, the fee is automatically added to your total shipping cost. You can even elect to have an email sent to your recipient proudly displaying that the impending shipment was made carbon neutral.

If you prefer to offset ALL of your shipments, there is also a contract option available (contact your local rep to learn more).

UPS is our package carrier at Green Books N Binders and we use carbon neutral shipping for all of our orders. As mentioned, the fees are nominal and come in at $.05 for standard delivery and go up to $0.75 for an Express package (these fees may vary depending on geographical location).

It’s also important to note that UPS’s carbon neutral option is verified by Société Générale de Surveillance (SGS) and certified by The CarbonNeutral Company. What’s more, in 2010, UPS will match offset purchases up to $1 million – not too shabby.

We will see how this all plays out over the next year but one thing is for sure – UPS continues to go green and lead the industry with programs like these. This is certainly a step in the right direction, so take advantage. The next time you ship, remember to make it UPS carbon neutral!

Learn more about carbon neutral shipping.

See where your money is going.View offset types targeted by UPS.