DURING times of disaster, the ability to ensure help, including much-needed food, clothing and water, is delivered in a timely fashion to victims cannot be underestimated.
Pos Malaysia in partnership with Malaysian Red Crescent Society (MRCS) has delivered such crucial aid to survivors of February’s Turkiye earthquake, and locally during the monsoon season where it sponsored logistics and delivery of dry goods and essentials donated by corporate organisations and the public to flood victims in Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu.
The national postal service has a two-decade-long history of bridging gaps between people, organisations and government.
After playing a crucial role in the nation’s rapid economic development, it is now making efforts to integrate environmental, social and economic (ESG) activities to align with Malaysia’s Net-Zero 2050 aspirations.
Brewer says Pos Malaysia is integrating ESG activities to align with Malaysia’s Net-Zero 2050 aspirations.
As part of its sustainability journey, Pos Malaysia incorporated environmental strategies into its Sustainability Roadmap in March 2023.
Group chief executive officer Charles Brewer said the move set out the company’s goals and targets for different time horizons from short, medium and long-term.
“We will continue to expand our six workstreams in phases as consistency is the most important factor in embedding sustainability practices into everyday operations and not just showcasing a few electric vehicles.
“We believe sustainability must become a core part of Pos Malaysia’s culture and operations, driving improvements and long-term environmental impact reduction,” said Brewer.
Pos Malaysia’s Sustainability Roadmap is built around six key workstreams:
• Optimising the company’s fleet of postal delivery vehicles to reduce idle time, fuel used while deploying Internet of Things (IoT) and vehicle tracking to create more data and visibility.
• Introducing alternative delivery methods such as electric vehicles and hybrids as well as ebikes.
To date,105 ebikes have been deployed covering Klang Valley, Johor, Penang, Kedah and Perak. Operating 100 ebikes equates to a reduction of 1,400 litres of petrol as well as a reduction of 39.4 tonnes of carbon dioxide a year.
• Implementing greener buildings using renewable energy such as solar to reduce carbon dioxide emissions at over 90% of retail and warehouse locations the company operates at with the help of IoT and data-driven insights.
• Carrying out effective waste management. Pos Malaysia has equipped 57 operational sites with recycling bins, deployed composting machines and diverted about 500kg of food waste, in addition to diverting three tonnes of recyclables from disposal through its recycling programmes and trash-to-cash activities.
• Enforcing eco-consumerism. Pos Malaysia’s packaging such as plastic flyers and boxes is now made of 80% recycled material, while cardboard boxes are 70% to 90% recycled materials.
The company launched its Courier Waste Exchange Programme in 13 post offices, collecting 173kg of courier waste so far. Also, 5.3 tonnes of old uniforms were collected for repurposing efforts.
• Enabling digital learning and future skilling of employees through the Virtual Learning Management System launched in August.
The initiative aims to upskill 50% of Pos Malaysia’s workforce through digital learning. The first module, defensive driving elearning, has been launched, targeting 3,815 post delivery riders.
Brewer said the planned reduction of emissions and waste, along with rapid progress on upskilling its workforce, will help ensure Pos Malaysia continued its long-term contribution to Malaysia’s development, with a commitment to sustainability in the years to come.
