PostNL has started to deliver parcels using CO2 neutral vans under a public-private partnership ina Dutch town.
PostNL parcels delivered in Leeuwarden are fuelled by carbon neutral Greengas (biogas) vans,thanks to a public-private partnership between delivery sub-contractor Roorda Transport Services,OrangeGas, the municipality of Leeuwarden and PostNL Parcels.
Roorda Transport Services is the first sustainable parcel deliverer in a nationwide PostNLParcels programme to promote sustainability among independent parcel deliverers, the Dutch postalgroup said.
Last year, Roorda initiated the purchase of four vehicles that run on Greengas, inpartnership with OrangeGas, which realises and operates 100 per cent Groengas refuelling points andwhich is the frontrunner on the Dutch market.
PostNL, already a Roorda services user, said it was pleased to accept a proposal from thesetwo parties and has even developed a nationwide programme stimulating more independent parceldeliverers to drive with sustainable transport means.
Laurens Tuinhout, director Sourcing & Sustainability at PostNL Parcels, said: “As one ofthe leaders in the worldwide Dow Jones Sustainability Index we must not stop at aiming atsustainability of our own activities alone. About 80 per cent of our transport activities iscarried out by subcontractors. With our nationwide programme we want to stimulate a larger numberof independent parcel carriers to consider sustainable transport means. In this programme, we askour transport partners to make additional investments in sustainable transportation, after which weoffer them more certainty to recoup the investment. I am proud of being the first to do thistogether with Roorda, OrangeGas and the municipality of Leeuwarden.”
Marthijs Roorda from Roorda Transport Services added: “I am glad that these partners havefound one another. This proves that creative partnerships can lead to sustainable solutions thatare profitable. By using Greengas I save on the costs per kilometre, due to the lower price and thelower maintenance costs, and moreover it is carbon neutral. Since OrangeGas keeps on expanding thenetwork of Groengas refuelling stations, I can use an increasing number of refuelling stations.”
Marcel Borger, director of OrangeGas, commented: “It takes the creative brains ofentrepreneurs like Marthijs Roorda to see the opportunities for sustainability. This is why weembarked on this programme with Roorda Transport Services, PostNL and the municipality ofLeeuwarden. By the end of 2012, there will be over one hundred refuelling points for Greengas andnatural gas, including 50 from OrangeGas. In this way, a growing number of companies and privatecustomers can benefit from cheap, carbon neutral driving.”
