DPD Germany cuts energy use with LED lighting

DPD Germany has said it has converted the lighting at 33 of its 76 depots to energy-efficient LED systems. The parcel carrier said the EUR 800,000 investment should see its carbon dioxide emissions cut by more than 1,700 tonnes per year.

The installations were carried out since the end of November without interrupting operations at the depots.

DPD, part of La Poste’s GeoPost Group, said adapting and repositioning lighting has also improved working conditions at the depots.

The remaining 43 depots will be converted to the LED systems gradually, DPD said.

Gerd Seber, DPD Germany’s manager sustainability and innovation, said lighting within sorting facilities was among the major sources of energy consumption at the company’s sites.

“The conversion to LED technology will lead directly to a significant reduction in the CO2 emissions produced by the individual locations. By making the switch DPD will save not just energy but will also have to offset fewer harmful emissions in order to achieve carbon-neutral parcel shipping,” Seber said.

Carbon neutral

DPD Germany has provided carbon neutral shipping for all its parcels since 2012, at no additional cost to the customer. The service, part of a company-wide pledge at La Poste Group, is provided by minimising operational emissions and then offsetting remaining emissions generated by shipping activities by putting money into environmental projects through the purchase of carbon credits.

DPD said LED lighting will reduce its electricity consumption at the 33 depots by around 2.8m kWh.

The company said LED lighting also has other environmental benefits, including less energy used in production and fewer toxic substances for disposal compared to conventional fluorescent lighting.