Sustainable logistics on the last mile

The prudent use of natural resources is all part of our responsibility. We unite sustainability and economic efficiency by testing innovative concepts and technologies – for sustainable logistics of heavy bulk goods.

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Climate-friendly action

Climate-friendly action

We are setting ourselves ambitious milestones on the road to climate neutrality. We want to reduce our CO2 footprint by two thirds by 2025. In order to achieve this, we are modernising our facilities, increasing the share of alternative drive systems in the fleet mix and developing low-emission logistics concepts for the last mile.

Quote: Nils Thiesen

With the conversion of our fleet, which relies even more on alternative drives, we can save over 2,100 tonnes of CO2 per year.

Nils Thiesen
Nils Thiesen CCO of Rhenus Home Delivery
Interview

Going greener on the road

Read the interview with Managing Director Ronny Sassen and Sustainability Manager Sören Lauenstein about the measures Rhenus is taking to reduce its carbon footprint in the Home Delivery Business Line and gain insights into projects and investments.

CO2 consumption always in view
SHOPFLOOR BOARDS

CO2 consumption always in view

Shopfloor boards in our offices provide a round-the-clock display of our sustainability performance. All employees can transparently read our current CO2 consumption figures on the information boards.

 

Our goal: CO2 neutrality along the value chain

Building a liveable future together

As a logistics service provider on the last mile, we aim for climate-friendly delivery and sustainable solutions. We’ll show you how we are promoting the use of renewable energies. For a future worth living. #greenlogistics

Our path to more sustainability

Quote: Patrick Renziehausen

Sustainability is not a sprint, but a marathon: click on the icons in the graphic to learn more about the measures we have already taken.

Patrick Renziehausen
Patrick Renziehausen Managing Director of Rhenus Home Delivery
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Sustainability
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Pillars of sustainability

Sustainability is based on three principles that are of equal importance to us and are firmly embedded in the Rhenus corporate principles.

Ecological

Save emissions

Climate neutrality is not a matter of course and demands the interaction of many individual measures. With combined efforts, we measurably improve the CO2 balance at our locations. In addition, we are making our fleet more sustainable with alternative drive systems. Kilometre by kilometre.

Economic

Investing in the future

We are convinced: Economic success is consistent with sustainable action. The way we achieve both is through innovation and investment in new technologies, as well as through process optimisation, infrastructure and operating resources.

Social

Strong together

Our committed members of staff are the foundation of our success. We ensure that our employees are well trained and supported, that they are given the opportunity to contribute their ideas and that they continue to develop their skills.

Career
Save emissions

Climate neutrality is not a matter of course and demands the interaction of many individual measures. With combined efforts, we measurably improve the CO2 balance at our locations. In addition, we are making our fleet more sustainable with alternative drive systems. Kilometre by kilometre.

Investing in the future

We are convinced: Economic success is consistent with sustainable action. The way we achieve both is through innovation and investment in new technologies, as well as through process optimisation, infrastructure and operating resources.

Strong together

Our committed members of staff are the foundation of our success. We ensure that our employees are well trained and supported, that they are given the opportunity to contribute their ideas and that they continue to develop their skills.

Career

Ecological footprint

 

By calculating our own CO2 footprint, we aim to steadily reduce it. Our goal is to avoid emissions. We also offer recipients the opportunity to offset their emissions with the non-profit climate protection foundation MyClimate.

INNOVATIVE CONCEPTS

Not only our vehicle fleet and our locations are becoming more sustainable. We also review our distribution concepts on a regular basis and develop ecologically sound alternatives. In doing so, we not only live up to our claim of operational excellence, but also take into account the changing living and shopping habits of our customers.

 

Greater sustainability with micro-depots for general cargo: read our white paper to find out more about the new distribution system for heavy bulk shipments on the last mile, which Rhenus tested in a one-year field trial in Berlin.

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GREEN PACKAGING SOLUTIONS

 

The delivery and return of goods almost always results in packaging waste. To avoid this, we strive for reusable solutions - for example, for the safe and environmentally friendly transport of bicycles, TV sets and white goods. Our B-Box is the packaging artist for bicycles and also increases transport quality and loading volume. With our reusable return packaging for white goods, we completely dispense with bubble wrap, stretch film and adhesive tape. It can be reused at least 150 times. This saves us over 90 per cent disposal volume and more than 80 per cent CO₂ emissions.

Environmentally friendly sites

 

Energy-saving LED lighting, green electricity, e-charging points for cars as well as savings in water consumption are already standard at many of our home delivery locations. In the case of renovations and new buildings, we examine which other ecological measures we can implement. These include, for example, photovoltaic systems with which we generate solar electricity.

Meet vehicles from our fleet

E-trucks

We are increasingly focussing on electromobility within our fleet. We have been regularly deploying test vehicles with alternative drive systems from various manufacturers for many years. In 2022 alone, we have ordered around 60 new e-trucks.

Deployment locations:

  • Hoppegarten
  • Neufahrn
  • Ginsheim-Gustavsburg
  • Düsseldorf
  • Saarbrücken
  • Hanover
  • Hockenheim

E-cargo bikes

Smart delivery solutions are important to us. Especially in busy city centres, small vehicles are a clear advantage. That’s why our subsidiary also uses e-cargo bikes under its Deliver it brand for transporting smaller home and decor items. Not only do e-bikes save space, they are also quiet and climate neutral. Up to 200 kilograms of goods can be moved on two cubic metres of cargo space.

Place of operation:

  • Berlin

Quote: Stephan Klabe

E-cargo bikes are fantastic and very innovative! As a rider, I particularly enjoy seeing the reaction of our customers when they realise that their delivery has been made by me on an e-bike. In addition, riding the e-bikes is fun, especially because you can ride everywhere and even take shortcuts through the park.

Stephan Klabe
Stephan Klabe E-bike rider in Berlin

CNG trucks

CNG (compressed natural gas) made from natural gas and biomethane is not only an economical fuel, but also more climate friendly compared to diesel vehicles. Our CNG vehicles are used as a bridging technology for transporting goods to our customers and as a transport vehicle for fitters.

Deployment locations:

  • Hanover
  • Ginsheim-Gustavsburg
  • Neufahrn
  • Hoppegarten

Quote: Oswin Wachinger and Michaela Wachinger

We enjoy being on the road with our CNG vehicles. With our CNG trucks, we emit fewer greenhouse gases than we do with diesel. The noise pollution is also reduced by half.

Oswin Wachinger and Michaela Wachinger Delivery team in Neufahrn

Hydrogen trucks

In addition to electric mobility, the hydrogen fuel cell also holds the promise of significantly reducing the CO2 footprint. We are currently closely communicating with the manufacturers of hydrogen vehicles in order to soon be able to include them in our fleet.

Planned locations:

  • Neufahrn
  • Niederaula

Quote: Sören Lauenstein

WE HAVE WAITED A LONG TIME FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF HYDROGEN VEHICLES FOR DELIVERING GOODS TO OUR CUSTOMERS AND ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO BEING ABLE TO START TESTING THE FIRST VEHICLES SOON.

Sören Lauenstein
Sören Lauenstein Head of Sustainability at Rhenus Home Delivery

NETWORK

  • Testing sustainable logistics concepts
  • Development of new workflows and a shipment life cycle
  • Participation in numerous field trials
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FLEET MIX

  • Orders for around 60 e-trucks in 2022
  • Extensive investments in sustainable fleet conversion
  • Focus on alternative drive systems, including e-trucks, e-cargo bikes and, in the future, hydrogen
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WAREHOUSING

  • Use of green electricity at German locations
  • Use of LED lighting
  • Planning and utilization of photovoltaic systems
  • Construction of e-charging stations for trucks and cars
  • Water treatment
  • Auditing of all locations in Germany in accordance with ISO 50001
  • EcoVadis gold standard in Europe
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How can we help you?

We would be happy to advise you!

Contact us!