By Inge Bujakiewicz-Baars, Head of Sustainability at omnichannel returns specialist ReBound Returns

Peak season is a demanding time for retailers. Spikes in order volumes from flash sales and extended return windows often lead to more products coming back. While this period generates strong sales, it also drives up emissions, adding to the wider climate challenge within retail.

Both consumers and regulators are calling for greater environmental responsibility. In Europe, France’s Ultra-Fast Fashion Bill has introduced tougher standards on sustainability, setting an example that is shaping global expectations. At the same time, shoppers are becoming more aware of the environmental cost of returns. A ReBound Returns survey from May 2025 found that more than 70% of UK consumers now place importance on how responsibly their returns are managed.

The four steps for a greener peak period

Here are four of the steps logistics providers are introducing to reduce emissions per parcel. These targeted efforts are helping retailers maintain sustainability during peak trading periods without compromising the quality service that customers expect.

1. Adopt greener fleets

Electrification of vehicle fleets is a positive step towards sustainable logistics. Fully electric and hybrid vehicles reduce local emissions and contribute to long-term decarbonisation goals. Retailers and logistics partners are increasingly working with electric-ready carriers to prepare for full deployment through schemes like the National Sustainable Infrastructure (NSI) programme.

However, as of 2024, electric vehicles (EVs) accounted for only 1.4% of the UK’s total commercial vehicle fleet. While the number of electric commercial vehicles is increasing (a 31% increase from 2023 to 2024), overall adoption remains low due to challenges such as high upfront costs, limited charging infrastructure and range limitation for heavier vehicles.

In the meantime, hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) offers a practical near-term solution. Produced from vegetable oils or animal fats, HVO is a renewable diesel that can replace conventional fuel without engine modification. At ReBound, we’ve seen HVO reduce emissions by up to 89% per kilometre.

2. Choose rail for lower-carbon logistics

Rail has long been viewed as a lower-carbon option for retail logistics. ReBound’s analysis shows that, per tonne-kilometre, rail transport can reduce emissions by as much as 89% compared with road freight within our operations. It also enables larger volumes to be moved more efficiently, lessening reliance on HGVs and helping to ease congestion across road networks.

Rail is particularly valuable for returns journeys. We have found rail to be less flexible than road transport, but logistics providers are addressing this challenge with smarter planning and predictive data analysis. Retailers can track carbon emissions for every return they manage, looking at routes and determining the most efficient use of rail networks across Europe.

3. Maximise truck capacity

Another effective method to lower emissions per parcel is improving vehicle utilisation. Filling trucks to their maximum capacity reduces the number of vehicles on the road, cuts emissions, and enhances operational efficiency. In the UK, we use loose loading – removing pallets to fit more boxes on a trailer.

Predictive data plays a critical role in optimising load capacity. Retailers can use historical insights from previous peak seasons to help anticipate where additional capacity is required, while carrier partnerships enable shared capacity and route consolidation.

By aligning forecasts with operational planning, retailers can balance service speed with environmental efficiency, ensuring more parcels travel in fewer vehicles.

4. Utilise technology and data

Finally, digital tools are increasingly becoming central to green logistics. One innovative option is using carbon measurement dashboards to provide transparency for every parcel managed. This allows retailers to track emissions by carrier and country, helping them make data-driven decisions to reduce environmental impact.

Technology also supports circular logistics. By directing unwanted returns to sustainable destinations rather than defaulting to retailer warehouses, logistics providers can integrate recycling and refurbishment options, further reducing the carbon footprint associated with returns.

For example, at ReBound Returns we have partnered with repair organizations like United Repair Centre and recycling organisations like ESO Recycling along with numerous other circular partnerships. This allows returns to be directed to sustainable solutions along the return journey, instead of being returned back to the retailer first.