UPS and Trinity College Dublin partner on new urban eco package hub

Logistics giant UPS has launched a five-year partnership with the University of Dublin's Trinity College Dublin to integrate a sustainable last-mile delivery service on campus and offer internships and graduate opportunities.


UPS and Trinity College Dublin partner on new urban eco package hub

Mark Vale

Through the partnership, UPS and University of Dublin’s Trinity College Dublin will launch an ‘urban eco package hub’ which will allow for parcel deliveries to be distributed on foot or via electrically assisted cargo bikes provided by UPS.

“UPS is committed to addressing the environmental challenges facing the logistics sector by partnering with influential organisations,” UPS Ireland Country Manager’s Andy Smith said.

“This collaboration with Trinity College Dublin will help us deliver a more sustainable future for Dublin, reducing carbon emissions on campus and in the city, while inspiring students to develop ideas that will benefit the local community for years to come.”

The ‘urban eco package hub’ is the second to be rolled out in Dublin, following the Wolfe Tone Street hub that was unveiled in 2017.

The hubs allow UPS to make up to 720 delivery stops a day through more sustainable measures in Dublin and have eliminated the use of five diesel delivery vehicles in the city centre, easing congestion and reducing CO2 emissions by up to 45%.

Trinity College Dublin students will also be offered graduate programmes and internships to work in sustainability capacities across UPS’s European locations.

“Trinity’s steadfast commitment to sustainability is driven by both staff and students, from research and education programmes to practical campus initiatives,” said Dr Patrick Prendergast, Provost of Trinity College Dublin. “This partnership with UPS will benefit the college community, both with the installation of the new parcel delivery solutions on campus and for students to participate in valuable internship and employment opportunities at UPS.”

UPS has been a leader in EV technology across the logistics industry in recent years, taking forward a variety of programmes and pilot schemes. 

In July 2018, UPS sustainable development co-ordinator, Claire Thompson-Sage, revealed to edie that it planned to incorporate batteries from its end-of-life electric vehicles (EVs) into its storage and charging network next year as it strives to create its first fully-electric fleet of delivery vans across London.

Following this, it also trialled power-assisted trailers for last-mile deliveries in central London, and then incorporated e-Bikes into its US-based urban delivery fleet for the first time.

Matt Mace

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