More and more printers talk about "value added services" and offering fulfillment and distribution services. We continue to look at ways to make prepress, press, and postpress processes more environmentally friendly, but we haven't talked much about the side of the business that gets the product into the customers' hands. So where is the "green" in distribution? The January issue of Parcel Magazine highlights two distribution centers and their efforts in What Can Green Do For You? by Vera Angelico. She describes two distribution centers that have reduced their carbon footprints and saved money:

After analyzing its package distribution, a Manhattan financial services company found that it shipped over 70,000 packages by overnight air to Manhattan destinations. They found a local courier that would deliver their packages by 10:30 and do it by walking! They reduced their carbon footprint and saved $1 per package! Another New York company, First Global Xpress (FGX), helps its customers go green when shipping internationally. CEO Justin Brown explains, "The hub-and-spoke system of major shippers is an environmental nightmare. It just doesn't make sense to ship something from New York City to the Midwest when London is its final destination. FGX ships direct from New York City to international destinations worldwide, and it does it in a greener, more socially responsible way. Shipping direct cuts carbon emissions by 20-25% per package. Depending on the international destination, the savings could be as much as 50-60%."

Keeping your eye on what happens after you print can make a big difference too. You might want to subscribe and add Parcel Magazine to your reading list.