bpost and the Belgian city of Namur have set up an ecozone across the municipal area of the city. In the area, letters and parcels will be delivered without emissions based on a dense network of pick-up points (parcel lockers, Post Points, Parcel Points and post offices) and green vehicles (electric vans and bikes with e-trailers).
According to bpost, the existing pick-up network will be bolstered by new parcel lockers at six locations, where the inhabitants of Namur will be able to pick up their parcels 24/7, on foot or by bike, always within 400 metres of their homes. In addition to the post offices, Parcel Points and Post Points, there will be eight parcel locker locations across Corbeille and Jambes.
bpost’s fleet for deliveries in the area has also been renewed to improve ecological sustainability and air quality. Twenty electric vehicles are used to deliver letters and parcels in Namur city centre. Eventually, 62 e-vans will criss-cross the main roads in the postcode areas 5000, 5001, 5002 and the centre of Jambes. Additionally, mail carriers in the region will switch to e-bikes from the summer of 2022.
bpost and Namur have also joined forces in NamurBoutik, the digital showroom for all Namur retailers. Online orders for delivery in Namur are handled at bpost’s distribution centres in the Ecozone or are placed in a parcel locker, where recipients can pick them up, lightening the traffic on the logistics routes to the sorting centres.
Jean Muls, CEO of bpost Belgium, commented: “With this new Ecozone in the Walloon capital we aim to improve quality of life in the city based on zero-emission vehicles, soft transport options, a huge network of pick-up points and a partnership with local retailers through NamurBoutik. “
Stéphanie Scailquin, Councillor for Urban Planning, Urban Attractiveness and Employment, added: “bpost’s Ecozone solution ensures letters and parcels are not transported outside the zone except when necessary. This has an immediate positive impact on the environment. Similarly, the fleet has been completely adapted and the drop-off/pick-up points have been placed in strategic areas accessible by a whole host of transport options. This also boosts local e-commerce, with the active participation of NamurBoutik.”
The ecozone is expected to be fully operational by the summer of 2022.
Source: bpost
