UPS announced that it will match the carbon offsets of all packages shipped via its carbon-neutral program during the month of June to commemorate the World Environment Day.

UPS carbon neutral counterbalances the estimated carbon impact of each shipment by purchasing certified carbon offsets.

To participate, UPS noted that shippers pay a fee as little as the local currency equivalent of US$0.75 per package, then UPS will match these offsets throughout June — which it said means essentially doubling the shipper’s impact thereby allowing the shipper to potentially net out “carbon negative” in June.

UPS said the optional service is available on shipments using UPS Express Plus, Express, Express Saver, Expedited, and Worldwide Express Freight services.

“There is truly no better way to honor World Environment Day than to facilitate actions that will help the planet,” said Suzanne Lindsay-Walker, UPS chief sustainability officer (CSO) and vice president of environmental affairs.

“UPS hopes to create more awareness about our carbon neutral shipping option so additional customers will take advantage of it, thus helping to fund large-scale carbon reduction programs and reduce the total carbon impact of shipping on the environment.”

UPS started its carbon-neutral program in 2010 and offsets more than 60 million packages annually for customers, which equates to more than 100,000 metric tonnes of carbon offset each year.

UPS has supported projects worldwide that include forestation, landfill gas destruction, and wastewater treatment. 

During the last decade, UPS said it has invested more than US$1 billion on alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles as well as supporting infrastructure and is now the largest user of renewable natural gas in the transportation industry.

 The benefits of the carbon-neutral program are particularly relevant to companies and organizations in Asia Pacific. In Thailand, for example, UPS works with tapioca starch manufacturer Chol Charoen to capture greenhouse gases emitted from the company’s wastewater and use them to generate electricity and heat. 

“Whether it’s through the introduction of more environmentally friendly packaging, expansion of our network of alternative delivery locations, or the continued involvement of UPS employees in community outreach projects across the region, a holistic approach to sustainability is central to what we do as a company,” said Ross McCullough, president, UPS Asia Pacific Region.

“The results we have seen from our partnership with Chol Charoen in Thailand – as well as from our other global carbon reduction efforts – demonstrate the real value solutions such as the carbon-neutral program can add to a company’s goals for sustainable growth and UPS is proud to be able to offer its support.”

UPS said it will automatically match all offsets during the month of June.