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What Is Carbon Neutral Shipping & How Do Companies Become Carbon Neutral?
Jun 17, 2021

Trucking and logistics is no longer just about getting materials from point A to point B. Much like consumers want to buy their products from socially responsible corporations or boycott businesses that don’t align with their beliefs, many companies want to work with trucking companies that prove they care about the environment. Whether due to their personal beliefs, to the corporate responsibility goals they’re mandated to meet, or to a desire to please their own customer base, you’re serving clients who will ask about your carbon neutral shipping practices sooner rather than later. Now is the time to start taking this topic seriously.


Do you find yourself asking “what is carbon neutral shipping anyway?” Are you wondering why carbon neutral shipping might be a benefit? Curious to know how companies become carbon neutral? Keep reading to discover the answers to all of your questions about this climate-responsible approach to business.

What is Carbon Neutral Shipping?

First, let’s answer the most basic question: what is carbon neutral shipping? “Carbon neutral” means putting a “net zero” amount of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Greenhouse cases can be gases like carbon dioxide or methane. These gases are responsible for climate change, and 28% of them come from transportation. For this reason, it’s important that trucking companies take a proactive approach to reducing the impact of these harmful gases on the environment. That’s where carbon neutral shipping comes in.


Carbon neutral shipping practices don’t require shipping companies to eliminate carbon emissions from their vehicles and transportation methods, as fossil fuels are still a necessary part of the process (for now). Rather, this practice encourages companies to reduce their carbon footprint by making more environmentally friendly choices and by offsetting the gases they put into the atmosphere.

Why is Carbon Neutral Shipping Beneficial for My Trucking Company?

There is an increasing demand for carbon-neutral shipping, so even if your direct customers aren’t seeking a carbon-neutral partner for their own purposes, there is a high likelihood that pressure from their customers will soon change that.


Much like companies have goals to spend money with diverse-owned businesses, they also have sustainability goals to meet and promote. Working with a carbon-neutral shipper is a big piece of that. Additionally, while there can be an up-front cost to going carbon neutral, the long-term cost savings of choosing greener, less wasteful shipping practices, packaging, and power consumption will add up. And, of course, carbon reduction helps the environment we all live in, which is a benefit for us all!

How Do Companies Become Carbon Neutral?

So, finally, how do companies become carbon neutral? First, take a moment to calculate the carbon footprint you currently have with a tool like Carbon Fund’s Business Emissions Calculator.


Once you have that number in mind, there are a few practices you can adopt to become carbon neutral:


  • Reduce fuel consumption by analyzing your current shipping routes. Choosing routes that cut back on fuel consumption, reduce idle time, and negate wasteful practices is a huge step in the right direction.
  • Make greener packaging options like biodegradable air pillows, more sustainable alternatives to styrofoam peanuts, slimmer packaging, and reusable options.
  • Purchase a carbon offset, which is essentially money that goes toward projects that will help reduce greenhouse gases. Companies that become carbon neutral often achieve that status by contributing money toward these types of environmentally friendly practices. Rather than researching and funding specific projects, you can simply find a reputable, trustworthy carbon offset company and purchase “credits.” From there, that company will put money toward projects that “offset” your carbon footprint.


Ready to get serious about your shipping business? We’re here to help. Gold Star’s consultative services will put you on the road to success.

Your Guide to the Amazon Delivery Service Partner Program

17 Jun, 2021
It’s impossible to think of the trucking industry without considering Amazon. In 2019, the company delivered 4.5 billion packages in the United States . Their Amazon Delivery Service Partner Program enables anyone with some startup capital the opportunity to get involved in their massively successful business venture. There are pros and cons to becoming an Amazon DSP, but the steady stream of work is certainly eye-catching to start-up trucking companies. Amazon lays out some of the most important information , but let’s take a look at some frequently asked questions.

Your Guide to DOT Background Check Requirements for Drivers

17 Jun, 2021
A thorough, compliant background screening program for your drivers should be the backbone of your hiring strategy. Background checks ensure that your new drivers have all of the qualifications necessary to do the job well and to best represent your company out on the road. Background checks also, of course, weed out any drivers with disqualifying criminal histories, a history of driving violations, and substance abuse problems. That’s why they should be a standard part of your fleet safety program anyway (link to “Fleet Safety Program: 4 Important Things to Remember”). In our regulated industry, a DOT background check is required. Here’s how DOT background check requirements differ from standard employment screening.

Will Truck Driving Be Automated?

17 Jun, 2021
It’s the question on the minds of truck drivers, owners, and delivery companies everywhere: will truck driving be automated? Automated trucks have been a conversation point for years now, with many worrying that technology advances will put millions of people out of work. Despite these concerns, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 5% growth for trucking employment in the coming years. While other industries struggle to adapt to new technology, the trucking industry is greatly benefiting from it. There are a range of opinions when it comes to this question, though most truck drivers seem confident that their jobs can’t (or at least won’t) be done by machines any time soon. Before getting into the trucking industry, it’s important that you take a look at the landscape and make an educated decision about it—but remember there will always be a need to move goods from one place to another, and the explosion in online ordering suggests that need is only going to expand. Let’s take a look at the current state of automated trucks as we dive into the question: will truck driving be automated?

What Do I Need to Start a Trucking Company?

17 Jun, 2021
The trucking industry landscape is largely made up of small businesses—with over 90% of companies operating fewer than seven trucks—so there is room for you if you’re considering starting a small trucking business. Whether you’re a professional truck driver already or you’re just a prospective business owner looking to cash in on the projected growth in the industry, you can get on the road toward a successful business with our help. What do you need to start your own trucking business? Just a little bit of insight from Gold Star’s experts.

The Facts & Figures: How Much Does it Cost to Start a Trucking Company?

17 Jun, 2021
Are you ready to work for yourself? Find yourself wondering how much does it cost to start a trucking company? Some estimates anticipate between $10,000 and $20,000 to get started with a small trucking company, assuming you don’t have to factor in the average cost of a semi truck. What goes into the cost of starting a logistics company? Let’s take a look.

Preparing for the 2021 International Roadcheck

17 Jun, 2021
As a big supporter of managing a fleet of well-maintained, safe trucks (link to Fleet Safety Program: 4 Important Things to Remember), Gold Star looks forward to the International Roadcheck every year. This three-day event focuses on motor carrier, vehicle, and driver safety. In 2021, it will run from May 4th to May 6th. The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA), a nonprofit organization made up of motor vehicle safety officials and industry representatives, leads the cause. Over a 72-hour period, tens of thousands of commercial vehicle inspections will occur across the continent. It is the “largest targeted enforcement program on commercial motor vehicles in the world,” boasting that “nearly 15 trucks or buses [are] inspected, on average, every minute across North America” during the event (per the CVSA website ).
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