Without a doubt, online shopping has revolutionised convenience. There’s a distinct satisfaction in knowing your packages are on their way, reliably appearing at your doorstep.
But that convenient box at your doorstep comes with an environmental cost. Every shipment and delivery mechanism adds to the world’s carbon emissions.
Carbon neutral shipping serves as a better way for companies to deliver your purchases without worsening the effects of carbon dioxide emissions.
What does that mean, and why should you care? Let’s unbox it together.
Quick refresher: What is carbon dioxide (CO2)?
Think of carbon dioxide (CO2) as a kind of invisible blanket in our atmosphere.
When there's just enough, it keeps our planet perfectly cosy. But these days, we're releasing a lot more CO2 into the air than nature can handle.
This excess comes from many everyday activities, such as burning fossil fuels for power, and, yes, even from the transportation and delivery of goods you order online or in-store. That extra CO2 traps too much heat, making our planet uncomfortably warm, like wearing a wool jumper on a hot day.
That's where carbon neutral shipping comes in as a better solution for getting your goodies to your door.
What is carbon neutral shipping?
Carbon neutral shipping means businesses offset the emissions created by their delivery system.
However, carbon neutral shipping does not mean zero emissions. Companies calculate the carbon dioxide (CO2) produced from their transportation and packaging, and then invest in projects that remove or prevent the same amount of carbon from entering the atmosphere.
These Earth-friendly initiatives are called carbon offsets and include the active support of projects like:
Reforestation (planting trees to absorb CO2)
Renewable energy (wind and solar farms)
Carbon capture and other clean tech efforts
The goal is to balance what’s emitted with something positive. Striving for carbon neutrality also encourages companies to think more ambitiously. It pushes us not just to offset emissions, but to actively work on reducing them in the first place.
That means scrutinising supply chains, partnering with responsible carriers, and working on more efficient packaging.
Does carbon neutral delivery take longer?
Carbon neutral delivery operates in the background, running in parallel with standard shipping processes. It doesn't affect how quickly your package arrives, because it doesn't change the physical delivery method. (Good news for anyone who tracks their online orders religiously.)
Instead, businesses track the emissions generated by each shipment and then invest in quality carbon offsets to neutralise that environmental impact.
This approach means your delivery prioritises environmental considerations alongside traditional logistics and cost, representing a shift in management that extends to the broader footprint of consumption. Pretty neat, right?
Why Who Gives A Crap is a carbon neutral shipping company
Who Gives A Crap believes that doing good should be naturally baked into the business. We make sure your goodies arrive on time, minus any environmental side-eye.
Becoming a carbon neutral shipping company in 2020 was a natural decision, aligned with our mission to make it ridiculously delightful to do good. We went on a research spree, crunched some numbers and took action to make deliveries to your doorstep more sustainable.
This commitment to carbon neutral shipping is just the beginning of our larger carbon strategy. It was a crucial first step towards understanding and reducing the carbon footprint across our entire product lifecycle.
Our goal is to develop a truly scientific, sophisticated and smart supply chain, recognising that these changes take time and effort to implement.
Better materials, less waste and donations to clean water nonprofits — we give as much of a crap about these things as we do providing premium toilet paper for your bums.
How carbon neutral shipping works with Who Gives A Crap
Behind the scenes, our team works with experts to measure the emissions associated with our business. We factor in transportation (land and sea), warehousing and delivery to determine our shipping carbon footprint.
We chose to partner with Pachama* to fund our carbon offset projects, primarily because they are specialists in forestry and use innovative methods. They even conduct rigorous verification and vetting of the carbon offsets they offer, which has the potential to transform forestry-based carbon offsetting.
Their exclusive focus on forestry projects also deeply resonates with our commitment to protecting trees and forests, a value we know is also incredibly important to our customers.
*Note: Our current partnership with Pachama ends after 2025, as they will stop selling offsets. Bummer! 🙁 Stay tuned for an updated carbon offset broker in 2026.
Choose sustainable companies as an eco-conscious consumer
Choosing companies that are built on sustainable business practices makes life easier for eco-conscious consumers.
If a company makes carbon neutral shipping claims, it can't just be full of hot air. They're held accountable by rules designed to prevent misleading advertising and greenwashing. That means they absolutely must back up their claims with solid, accurate data and clear, transparent methods.
Did you know your choice to buy from companies with carbon neutral shipping benefits more than just the planet? Well, it does! Here’s how:
You embrace your commitment to eco-friendly values
Every online order has a carbon cost. But when you shop from a brand that offsets those emissions, you’re harmonising your eco-conscious values with your consumer needs.
You support real conservation work
Your online order does more than trigger a dose of dopamine. It helps fund planet-positive projects worldwide, from tree planting to clean energy.
You set the bar higher for businesses
When more people support ethical brands, other companies start to take note. By expecting more from your preferred customers, you’re influencing the market without even realising it.
Our ongoing commitment to a cleaner planet
Carbon neutral shipping is just one line initiative on our sustainability checklist. We also:
Use 100% recycled or bamboo fibres in our paper products
Choose post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastics for our trash bag line
Maintain FSC® certification across our entire supply chain
Donate 50% of profits to clean water and sanitation projects
Incorporate renewable energy sources into our operations
Phasing in a fleet of EV delivery vehicles in our AU market
Domestically produce recycled paper products for our UK market
We also continually collaborate to enhance packaging materials, minimise transportation frequency through innovative bundle options, and provide transparency regarding our entire carbon lifecycle.
Speaking of transparency, our next major sustainability goal is to become a zero-emission shipping company. A small but mighty Electric Vehicle (EV) fleet is operational in Australia. Meanwhile, we’re about to trial EV delivery in the UK next. The work doesn’t end — but that’s the point.
Conclusion – Delivered with care (and eco-friendly shipping)
While online shopping’s convenience is undeniable, we must remember those deliveries come with an environmental cost.
That's why carbon neutral shipping steps in as an innovative solution, allowing businesses like ours to offset the carbon emissions associated with delivering items to your door.
By choosing brands committed to carbon neutral shipping, you're supporting vital conservation work and setting a higher standard for businesses everywhere.
For Who Gives A Crap, this business practice is just the start of our journey to reduce the footprint of our entire product lifecycle, ensuring we're always striving to be better for the planet.
Ready to buy with a cleaner conscience and help uncrap the world? Shop our products and get them delivered with love — and a balanced footprint.