Delivering for our planet
We’re committed to helping Canada meet its target of net-zero emissions by 2050. To achieve this, we make continuous investments in reducing our environmental impact. Our efforts include improving our energy efficiency, reducing our greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and eliminating waste.
See the latest results of our Delivering the Future growth and innovation strategy in our 2021 Sustainability Report.
Our environmental policy
Purolator is committed to high professional standards for our environmental practices. We acknowledge our responsibility to manage the impacts of our operations, address climate change risks and strive for continuous improvement across our business.
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Governance
To ensure responsible governance at the highest level, we have two teams of senior executives who oversee all of our environmental matters, including strategy, policy and performance. The first is our Board of Directors - Human Resources and Compensation Committee. We’re also supported by our Environmental Steering Committee that directs our company’s environmental strategy and initiatives.
Leading by example: Canadian courier company making bold investments in sustainability
Reducing our carbon emissions
Since 2007, we’ve completed an annual comprehensive GHG emissions inventory. In it we identify the sources, monitor our impact, set targets and measure our efforts to reduce GHG emissions.
Our pathways to reduce focus on:
Fleet emissions
retiring older fleets and investing in alternative-fuel vehicles
Building emissions
installing energy-efficient equipment and procuring renewable electricity
Fuel consumption
using fuel-efficient transportation, route optimization and telematics
Value chain emissions
engaging suppliers and customers to reduce Scope 3 emissions
Waste
reducing waste and standardizing recycling in our operations
Carbon reporting for our company
Our annual GHG emissions inventory is based on the ISO 14064-1 standard and the World Resources Institute Greenhouse Gas Protocol. We track the following three sources of emissions.
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We track three sources of emission:
2020 GHG emissions by scope
Scope
1:
direct emissions - 37%
Scope
2:
indirect emissions from the generation of purchased energy - 1%
Scope
3:
indirect emissions in the value chain - 62%
Purolator
owned and
operated fleet
owned and
operated fleet
On-site
combustion of fuels and refrigerants
Purchased
electricity used at purolator
facilities
Subcontracted
ground fleet
air carriers
and rail
ground fleet
air carriers
and rail
Waste generated at purolator
facilities and disposed of off-site
Production and processing
of
fuels consumed by purolator
fuels consumed by purolator
Purolator owned and operated
fleet
32%
On-site combustion of fuels
and refrigerants
5%
Purchased electricity used at
purolator facilities
1%
Subcontracted ground fleet air
carriers and rail
52%
Waste generated at purolator
facilities and disposed of off-site
2%
Production and processing of
fuels consumed by purolator
8%
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Carbon reporting for customers
Customers can also quantify the emissions related to their specific shipments and packages, helping them better understand their carbon footprint and identify ways to minimize emissions.
The Purolator Emissions Estimation Array Tool estimates GHG emissions based on:
Pickup and drop-off location
Mode of transport
Shipment weight
Shipping partners are the bridge
between businesses and customers.
Through our collective efforts, we can each do our part to reduce
carbon emissions.
Greening our buildings
We operate a network of more than 180 buildings, including hubs, terminals, retail locations and corporate offices. It’s important to us to continuously improve the efficiency of our operations and reduce our environmental impact.
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Energy efficiency
Implementing lighting retrofits is a key part of improving our energy efficiency and subsequently reducing our emissions. By upgrading our facilities to LED lighting fixtures and motion sensors, we reduce energy demand and enhance working conditions for our employees.
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In 2020, we retrofitted seven terminals, reducing our electricity use by more than 1 million kWh. In 2021, we completed assessments in all of our terminals and hubs across Canada, and cumulatively completed retrofits in more than 30 of our locations. We also continue to upgrade our heating and cooling systems with energy-efficient equipment.
Purolator’ head office located in Mississauga, Ontario is a LEED Gold certified building. The building’s heating and cooling are regulated through an automated system, which allows for temperature control and enhances indoor air quality. The building is designed to reduce waste, conserve energy and decrease water consumption.
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In 2020, we retrofitted seven terminals, reducing our electricity use by more than 1 million kWh. In 2021, we completed assessments in all of our terminals and hubs across Canada, and cumulatively completed retrofits in more than 30 of our locations. We also continue to upgrade our heating and cooling systems with energy-efficient equipment.
Purolator’ head office located in Mississauga, Ontario is a LEED Gold certified building. The building’s heating and cooling are regulated through an automated system, which allows for temperature control and enhances indoor air quality. The building is designed to reduce waste, conserve energy and decrease water consumption.
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Energy efficiency
Implementing lighting retrofits is a key part of improving our energy efficiency and subsequently reducing our emissions. By upgrading our facilities to LED lighting fixtures and motion sensors, we reduce energy demand and enhance working conditions for our employees.
Delivering the Future: Purolator's National Hub
The centrepiece of our growth and innovation strategy is our new $330-million, 430,000-sq-ft National Hub, strategically located in Toronto. This new facility will house world-class automation features, help more customers get even more packages to their destinations and offer a scalable workspace to match demand during peak volume periods.
Designed to meet the Toronto Green Standards program
Uses non-potable grey water for irrigation and toilets
Standardized waste recycling program
Battery-powered forklifts used on-site
1,500 trees and shrubs planted on-site
High-albedo concrete supports energy efficiency
Alternative-fuel fleets
To better manage the impacts of climate change, businesses with large fleet operations, like ours, need to reduce their carbon footprint and transition to alternative-fuel vehicles. That’s why we continue to introduce new types of advanced-technology vehicles to our fleet.
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Fully-electric delivery fleet
Electric vehicles are a major part of our commitment to reduce our GHG emissions. We continue to pilot and launch last-mile delivery solutions in cities across Canada, including Montreal, Vancouver and Toronto. In March 2021, Purolator was the first Canadian courier company to launch all-electric curbside delivery trucks at our Richmond, BC terminal. Our last-mile delivery solutions include:
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Electric low-speed vehicles (LSV)
- Designed to reduce noise and congestion in busy downtown cores
- Smaller size makes parking easier
- Maximum speed of 40km/h
- 100+ deliveries per day
Electric cargo bikes (e-bikes)
- Designed to reduce noise and congestion in busy downtown cores
- Can park closer to the destination and on sidewalks for delivery in restricted-parking areas
- Can move easily through pedestrian-only and zero-emission zones and street closures
- Faster delivery times
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Fully-electric curbside delivery trucks
- First of their kind to be launched nationally by a Canadian courier company
- 18-foot trucks built on the Ford F-59 platform
- Electrically powered by Motiv Power Systems
- Testing for range (120-160 km)
Gas-powered fleet
While we still operate gas-powered vehicles, we utilize Geotab's fleet management software to improve our fleet performance. We gather and analyze the telematics data to optimize our fleet and lower our carbon emissions.
We also increase fuel efficiency through our driver training, route optimization and no idling policy.
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Alternative delivery and pickup methods
We are piloting alternative delivery and pickup methods, including automated self-serve parcel lockers at the Honoré-Beaugrand subway station in Montreal.
We’ve partnered with Société de transport de Montréal. This is one of the first public transit subway systems to give commuters a convenient self-serve option for picking up shipments.
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Electric low-speed vehicles (LSV)
- Designed to reduce noise and congestion in busy downtown cores
- Smaller size makes parking easier
- Maximum speed of 40km/h
- 100+ deliveries per day
Electric cargo bikes (e-bikes)
- Designed to reduce noise and congestion in busy downtown cores
- Can park closer to the destination and on sidewalks for delivery in restricted-parking areas
- Can move easily through pedestrian-only and zero-emission zones and street closures
- Faster delivery times
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Fully-electric curbside delivery trucks
- First of their kind to be launched nationally by a Canadian courier company
- 18-foot trucks built on the Ford F-59 platform
- Electrically powered by Motiv Power Systems
- Testing for range (120-160 km)
Gas-powered fleet
While we still operate gas-powered vehicles, we utilize Geotab's fleet management software to improve our fleet performance. We gather and analyze the telematics data to optimize our fleet and lower our carbon emissions.
We also increase fuel efficiency through our driver training, route optimization and no idling policy.
Image
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Alternative delivery and pickup methods
We are piloting alternative delivery and pickup methods, including automated self-serve parcel lockers at the Honoré-Beaugrand subway station in Montreal.
We’ve partnered with Société de transport de Montréal. This is one of the first public transit subway systems to give commuters a convenient self-serve option for picking up shipments.
Fully-electric delivery fleet
Electric vehicles are a major part of our commitment to reduce our GHG emissions. We continue to pilot and launch last-mile delivery solutions in cities across Canada, including Montreal, Vancouver and Toronto. In March 2021, Purolator was the first Canadian courier company to launch all-electric curbside delivery trucks at our Richmond, BC terminal. Our last-mile delivery solutions include:
Eco-friendly packaging and minimized waste
Significant plastic and packaging waste is generated across our entire supply chain, including our operations. So we’re working with our suppliers and customers to optimize packaging, reduce waste at the source and maximize recycling.
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Some of the
steps we have taken
include:
- Creating a comprehensive packaging guide for customers
- Improving our packaging to avoid damages, returns and replacements
- Implementing sustainable packaging options
- Recycling materials such as cardboard, plastic film and waste oil fluids
- Working with property management to standardize our recycling program
We offer our customers sustainable packaging options. For example, our Purolator Express Envelope is made from 85 per cent recycled content, including 35 per cent post-consumer material and is Forest Stewardship Council certified.
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72.5% of North American customers want to support businesses that reduce their packaging.¹
Read our latest research report on e-commerce and sustainability trends to learn more.
1. Purolator, 2021. How Customer Expectations are Shaping Sustainable Shipping Practices.
Eco-friendly packaging and minimized waste
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Some
of
the
steps
we
have
taken
include:
- Creating a comprehensive packaging guide for customers
- Improving our packaging to avoid damages, returns and replacements
- Implementing sustainable packaging options
- Recycling materials such as cardboard, plastic film and waste oil fluids
- Working with property management to standardize our recycling program
We offer our customers sustainable packaging options. For example, our Purolator Express Envelope is made from 85 per cent recycled content, including 35 per cent post-consumer material and is Forest Stewardship Council certified.
Image
Significant plastic and packaging waste is generated across our entire supply chain, including our operations. So we’re working with our suppliers and customers to optimize packaging, reduce waste at the source and maximize recycling.
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Archive
Read our 2020 Sustainability Report
Read our 2020 Verification Statement
Read our 2019 Sustainability Report
Read our 2018 Sustainability Report
Purolator is committed to delivering a better future.
Partner with a shipping provider who cares. Purolator will help you deliver on your promises – with less environmental impact.
