Updated February 2026
Canadian businesses are under increasing pressure to reduce their environmental footprint—and shipping is one of the biggest contributors to carbon emissions in most supply chains, with transportation accounting for about one-third of Canada's greenhouse gas emissions according to research from the University of Waterloo. The good news is that sustainable delivery options in Canada have expanded significantly, from carbon-neutral ground shipping to electric vehicle fleets operating in major cities.
This guide covers what sustainable shipping actually means, which eco-friendly delivery options are available across Canada, and practical steps your business can take to build a greener logistics strategy.
What is sustainable shipping
Yes, sustainable delivery options exist across Canada, and they're more accessible than you might think. Several carriers now offer carbon-neutral shipping. The options range from automatic carbon offsetting to deliveries made entirely by electric vehicles.
So what exactly makes shipping "sustainable"? At its core, sustainable shipping refers to delivery methods that reduce environmental impact—whether through lower emissions, less packaging waste, or more efficient routes. The goal is to get packages from point A to point B while minimizing the carbon footprint along the way.
You'll come across a few key terms when exploring green delivery options:
- Carbon-neutral: The carrier has balanced out the emissions from your delivery, either by reducing them directly or by funding environmental projects that absorb an equivalent amount of carbon
- Carbon offsetting: Investing in projects like reforestation or renewable energy to compensate for emissions that couldn't be eliminated
- Green logistics: A broader term covering all environmentally conscious practices in the supply chain, from warehouse operations to final delivery
Benefits of sustainable delivery for Canadian businesses
Going green with your shipping isn't just about doing the right thing for the environment—it often makes practical business sense too.
Strengthen your brand reputation
Customers pay attention to how companies handle environmental issues. When you offer eco-friendly delivery options, you're signaling that your business thinks beyond immediate profits. For many shoppers, that distinction matters when choosing between competitors—an Angus Reid Institute survey found 64% of Canadians would pay extra to help decrease emissions from shipping.
Reduce operational costs
Here's something that surprises a lot of business owners: sustainable shipping can actually cost less over time. Efficient routing means fewer kilometres driven. Consolidated shipments mean fewer individual trips. Both translate to lower fuel costs and reduced wear on delivery vehicles.
Meet growing customer expectations
Canadian consumers increasingly factor environmental impact into their purchasing decisions. Offering sustainable delivery options isn't just a nice-to-have anymore—it's becoming something customers actively look for and appreciate.
Improve delivery efficiency
Sustainability and efficiency tend to go hand in hand. When carriers optimize routes to reduce emissions, they're also reducing delivery times. When they consolidate shipments to cut fuel use, they're also lowering costs per package. The environmental benefits often come with operational benefits attached.
How carbon-neutral shipping works
When a carrier advertises carbon-neutral shipping, they're following a specific process. Understanding how it works helps you evaluate whether their claims hold up.
Calculating carbon emissions
First, carriers measure how much carbon each shipment produces. The calculation typically includes the distance travelled, the type of vehicle used, the package weight, and the fuel consumed. Some carriers use standardized industry formulas, while others have developed more detailed tracking systems.
Offsetting through environmental projects
Once a carrier knows how much carbon a shipment generates, they invest in projects designed to absorb or prevent an equivalent amount. Common offset projects include tree planting, renewable energy development, and methane capture at landfills. Canada Post, for instance, partners with Canadian nature-based offset projects to achieve carbon neutrality for its ground services.
Verifying carbon-neutral claims
Not every carbon-neutral claim carries the same weight. The more credible carriers work with third-party organizations to verify their offset purchases and confirm that the environmental projects actually deliver results. When evaluating a carrier's sustainability claims, look for transparency about who verifies their offsets and how.
Sustainable delivery options available in Canada
Canadian businesses have several paths to greener shipping, each with different strengths depending on your needs and where you're shipping.
Carbon offset programs
Many carriers now offset emissions automatically for certain services, while others offer opt-in programs where you pay a small premium to neutralize your shipments. Canada Post made all its ground services carbon-neutral in April 2023.
Electric and low-emission fleet vehicles
Electric delivery vehicles are becoming more common, especially for last-mile delivery in cities. Koorier has built its network around EVs, and traditional carriers are gradually adding electric vans to their fleets. The technology works particularly well for urban deliveries where routes are shorter and charging infrastructure is more available.
Alternative fuels for green logistics
Beyond electric vehicles, some carriers use biodiesel, compressed natural gas, or hydrogen to reduce emissions from their existing fleets. Alternative fuels can be especially useful for longer routes where electric vehicles aren't yet practical.
Optimized routing and shipment consolidation
Technology plays a major role in sustainable delivery. Route optimization software calculates the most efficient paths, reducing total kilometres driven. Shipment consolidation groups multiple deliveries together, cutting the number of trips required. Both approaches lower emissions without changing the vehicles themselves.
How technology powers low-emission logistics
Smart logistics technology is one of the most effective ways to reduce delivery emissions—and it often doesn't require any changes to your carrier or fleet.
Route optimization software
Modern routing algorithms analyze traffic patterns, delivery windows, and vehicle capacity to find the most fuel-efficient sequences. The best systems can reduce total kilometres driven by a significant margin, with corresponding drops in both emissions and fuel costs—route optimization can achieve fuel savings of up to 30% according to logistics research.
Real-time tracking and delivery management
When customers can track their packages and adjust delivery preferences, failed delivery attempts drop. Each avoided re-delivery means one less trip, less fuel burned, and lower emissions. Platforms like Koorier One give both shippers and recipients visibility into every delivery, which helps reduce the waste that comes with missed deliveries and return trips.
Data-driven efficiency improvements
Analytics tools help businesses spot patterns in their shipping operations—like which routes consistently run long or which delivery windows lead to more failed attempts. Over time, this data enables continuous improvement in how efficiently packages move.
Tip: Even small improvements in delivery success rates add up to meaningful environmental impact when multiplied across thousands of shipments.
How to choose a sustainable shipping partner in Canada
Evaluating a carrier's sustainability claims takes a bit of digging beyond the marketing language. Here's what to look for:
- Sustainability certifications: B Corp certification, Climate Neutral verification, or ISO 14001 environmental management certification all indicate third-party validation
- Fleet composition: Ask what percentage of deliveries use electric vehicles or alternative fuels
- Carbon reporting: Look for carriers who provide emissions data for your shipments and clear details about their offset programs
- Technology capabilities: Route optimization and real-time tracking reduce unnecessary trips and failed deliveries
- Packaging policies: Check whether the carrier supports or encourages recyclable and right-sized packaging
Green shipping practices your business can start today
Your own shipping practices matter just as much as your carrier choice. Here are four changes that can reduce your environmental footprint right away.
1. Evaluate and reduce packaging materials
Oversized boxes stuffed with plastic padding create unnecessary waste and increase shipping costs. Switching to recyclable or biodegradable materials—and using right-sized packaging that fits your products—cuts waste and often saves money, with companies reporting shipping cost reductions of 20-30% from right-sizing strategies according to eCommerce industry analysis.
2. Consolidate shipments to minimize trips
Rather than shipping items one at a time as orders arrive, consider batching orders for delivery on specific days. Fewer individual trips means lower emissions per package and often lower shipping costs overall.
3. Offer eco-friendly delivery options to customers
Give customers the choice to select slower, consolidated shipping windows. Many shoppers are happy to wait an extra day or two if it means their order arrives with a smaller carbon footprint.
4. Partner with carriers committed to sustainability
Your carrier choice is one of the most impactful decisions you can make. Look for delivery partners with verified green initiatives, transparent reporting, and a clear plan for reducing emissions over time.
Explore how Koorier's technology can help optimize your delivery operations →
Certifications that validate eco-friendly delivery services
When you're trying to separate genuine sustainability efforts from greenwashing, certifications provide independent verification.
Build your green delivery strategy with Koorier
Sustainable shipping doesn't mean sacrificing reliability or control over your deliveries. Koorier's technology platform helps Canadian businesses optimize their delivery operations through intelligent routing, shipment consolidation, and real-time visibility—all of which contribute to lower emissions and more efficient logistics.
Whether you're a small retailer looking to reduce your environmental impact or a larger enterprise building out a sustainability strategy, the right technology partner can help you hit your goals without compromising on delivery performance.
Request a shipping quote to explore how Koorier's platform supports your sustainability goals →
Author & Authority
By Giovanna Freitas
Marketing specialist at Koorier
About Koorier
Koorier is a Canadian logistics technology company specializing in regional last-mile delivery networks and real-time delivery visibility for retailers and enterprises.
FAQs about sustainable shipping in Canada
How much does sustainable shipping cost compared to standard delivery?
Costs vary by carrier, but sustainable shipping is often comparable to standard rates. Many carriers build carbon offsets into their base pricing, while others offer opt-in programs for a small additional fee. Route optimization and shipment consolidation can actually reduce overall shipping costs, which sometimes offsets any sustainability premium.
Can sustainable delivery options handle same-day or urgent shipments?
Yes, many carriers offer expedited sustainable delivery using electric vehicles or carbon-offset programs. Urban areas typically have the most options for fast, low-emission delivery, though coverage continues to expand.
Are eco-friendly shipping options available in all Canadian provinces?
Coverage varies by carrier, with the most options concentrated in major urban centres. However, carbon offset programs typically apply to shipments across all provinces, so even deliveries to remote areas can be carbon-neutral through offsetting.
What is the difference between carbon offsetting and carbon insetting?
Carbon offsetting funds external environmental projects—like reforestation or renewable energy—to neutralize emissions. Carbon insetting, on the other hand, invests in sustainability improvements within the company's own supply chain, such as switching to electric vehicles or improving warehouse energy efficiency.
How can my business measure its shipping carbon footprint?
Many carriers and logistics platforms provide emissions reports based on your shipment data. Third-party carbon calculators designed for freight and delivery operations can also help you estimate your shipping-related emissions if your carrier doesn't offer built-in reporting.
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