Shanghai, China, April 22, 2024 - FedEx Express, a subsidiary of FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) and one of the world’s largest express transportation companies, recently collaborated with China Resources Environmental Protection Services Company Limited (CR Env Protection), an integrated service provider in the health, safety, and environmental field, to transform retired uniforms from Chinese employees into brand new cultural and creative products. This is part of FedEx’s ongoing efforts to incorporate sustainability into its daily operations and build a greener future for all.
Nearly 1,200 old uniforms were collected, cleaned, sanitized, pressed, cut, printed, and sewn into more than 400 new FedEx crossbody bags and fanny packs. The remaining fabric was repurposed into low-carbon alternative fuels, replacing the use of coal in industrial manufacturing. This initiative has the potential to prevent more than 1.33 tons of CO2 emissions, equivalent to the carbon absorbed by 20 tree seedlings grown for 10 years[1].
“FedEx is a pioneer in sustainability in the logistics and transportation industry,” said Poh-Yian Koh, vice president, Operations, FedEx China. “We encourage team members to boldly explore different solutions to apply green practices in their daily work and lives. Recycling old uniforms is a meaningful endeavor that creatively improves the efficiency of resource use while reducing the environmental impact of waste disposal. It gives our employees the opportunity to realize that even small actions can have a positive impact on our planet, which is also in line with the FedEx cultural value of Committing to Do Good.”
The year 2024 marks the 40th anniversary of FedEx’s presence in China. Over the past few decades, the company has focused on its sustainability efforts following a “Reduce, Replace, Revolutionize” approach, including vehicle electrification and sustainable facilities to achieve its goal of carbon-neutral global operations by 2040.
Since 2018, FedEx has been deploying electric vehicles in several cities. In FY24, the FedEx fleet in China is expected to be around 20% electrified.
In terms of sustainable facilities, the new FedEx China headquarters utilizes a variety of leading energy-saving technologies. The FedEx Shanghai International Express and Cargo Hub incorporates an environmental protection philosophy, with a green roof to effectively reduce energy consumption and airport noise. The company has also launched a solar installation project at its Ground operations facility in Shunyi, Beijing, which is expected to generate 360,000 kWh of electricity annually.
In addition, FedEx is committed to developing and deploying innovative digital tools, including the launch of FedEx Ship Manager Lite (FSM Lite), a new mobile shipping solution in China, and various online import and export declaration tools, to reduce paper and energy consumption and improve operational efficiency. In August 2023, the company also launched a cloud-based carbon emissions reporting tool, FedEx® Sustainability Insights, giving customers access to historical emissions information on their shipments within the FedEx network. FedEx customers can use the data to make better informed decisions on their future shipping strategy to reduce their impact to the environment.
Click here for more information on FedEx’s sustainability initiatives.