Sustainability at Instabee
Our strategy
Global warming and increasing social injustice are two of the most pressing issues of our time. The actions of nations and companies in the coming years will determine the future of our planet for generations to come. We take our responsibility seriously and strive to be a leader in transforming the transport industry as a whole, with the aim to minimise our contribution to global warming and social injustice and create a better living environment.
On this page, you will find more information about our ambitions and achievements within sustainability and links to further material. We have chosen three guiding principles for our sustainability strategy:
- We are committed to safe and fair logistics
- We lead the way to emission reduction
- We fundamentally shift the industry mechanisms to enable a more sustainable future
Read our Sustainability report for 2023 here.
Environment
Our focus
Since climate change and environmental degradation are our society's biggest challenges, Instabee is determined to limit our negative contribution as much as possible. We always strive to find more efficient solutions to complex challenges using tech, which is also true for our approach to sustainability.
Tech-enabled and data-driven
3D-scanning & fill-rates
All parcels in our logistical flow are 3D-scanned with our state-of-the-art sorting machines, which tell us the size and destination of the parcel. The system considers the sorting machines' information and details about the specific route to determine the most efficient way to load and pack the vehicles before delivery.
Route optimisation
Our bespoke AI system automatically creates the most efficient routes. This information guides the drivers/bikers about traffic flows and how to handle upcoming stops. For example, if it is more efficient to park the vehicle, bring two parcels and walk to a given location instead of searching for two parking spots. Every night, the system improves by comparing calculations with the actual outcomes to be even more accurate the next day.
Science-based targets
At Instabee, our unwavering commitment to sustainability drives our ongoing efforts to minimise our climate footprint. In July 2023, we sent our commitment letter to the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), underscoring our dedication to aligning our emission reduction strategies with a 1.5-degree future.
We are currently formulating our near-term emission reduction targets, closely aligned with the goals outlined in the Paris Agreement. This initiative marks a pivotal step forward in our journey toward a more sustainable and environmentally responsible future.
We remain steadfast in our pursuit of excellence, ensuring that our actions contribute meaningfully to a healthier planet and a sustainable global community.
You can follow our science-based targets journey on the SBTi page: Companies Taking Action.
Less-emitting fuels
We are committed to using less-emitting fuels throughout our value chain and focus on using non-fossil fuels from pick-up to the last mile. We also strive to offer transparent and easy-to-understand communication to the end consumer about what fuel we use for our deliveries. The e-commerce industry needs clearer and uniform concept explanations regarding e-commerce deliveries to consumers. It needs to be simple and understandable what can be chosen and what different shipping options mean to avoid misleading the consumer with vague or imprecise expressions.
In Sweden, Instabee is a proud signatory of an initiative to guide consumers to more sustainable delivery choices in the check-out, the ‘fossil free’ mark. The industry agreement aims to create stringency in the checkout regarding the concept of fossil-free deliveries and make it easy for the consumer to make an informed decision about their choice of delivery method. The industry agreement also aims to remove existing environmental claims that lack substance and create confusion for the consumer. This stamp is one step towards creating transparent and clear delivery choices but may need to be continuously updated after new conditions.
Parcel locker capacity
Our in-house built parcel locker capacity system calculates our entire parcel locker flow. The system provides us with information about which location is nearest to the consumer, how big the parcel will be, and the number of parcels – giving us a complete overview of all parcels on their way to and from a specific parcel locker.
The system also provides information about the performance of all lockers, for example, how long it usually takes for consumers to pick up their parcels and how full the parcel locker is, allowing us to plan our routes accordingly and reduce unnecessary miles. With algorithms and machine learning working in harmony, our capacity management system makes trade-offs a human could not solve in real-time, 24/7, benefiting both sustainability and consumer satisfaction.
Terminals
Instabee has made several investments in custom-built terminals specifically designed to accommodate our unique requirements and our dedication to sustainability. The first terminal was established in 2020, and over the last couple of years, Instabee has inaugurated several new terminal facilities.
Solar panels & charging stations
In line with our dedication to sustainability, we have integrated solar panels into the terminal infrastructure to promote energy self-sufficiency. Additionally, we have installed charging stations in the parking areas to support the use of electric vehicles.
Environmental building certification
To guarantee the eco-friendly operation of these terminals, they were constructed in accordance with the “Miljöbyggnad Silver” standard. This certification ensures that the facilities maintain a high level of sustainability and energy efficiency in their daily operations. By adopting these measures, Instabee not only minimises the environmental footprint but also pioneers sustainable practices within the logistics industry.
Social
Our focus
We strive to offer fair working conditions, whether you work full-time, part-time, or a few hours here and there. Our employees work in offices, terminals, and as drivers, but we also have a strong network of courier partners to manage the many deliveries scheduled every day across our six markets.
At Instabee, we have zero tolerance for discrimination and poor working conditions. Everyone working at, or on behalf of, Instabee should feel included and safe in their work environment regardless of gender, gender identity, ethnic affiliation, disability, religion, sexual orientation, or age.
Ready for a new challenge? Explore career opportunities and learn more about what life at Instabee looks like on our career page.
Forms of employment
We demand that everyone who works for Instabee has fair, safe and sound working conditions and forms of employment.
We do not accept that our courier partners use self-employment or what is often called "gig work" (i.e. other forms of non-employment engagement) when performing work on behalf of Instabee. In cases where our courier partners use subcontractors, we must be informed about (i) that subcontractors are used and (ii) the terms of employment that apply to the individuals who perform the work. We demand that the same forms of employment and minimum conditions apply and are applied to our partners' employees as to our own employees. Instabee has the right to refuse the use of subcontractors if these requirements are not met. Instabee approves the following forms of employment:
- Permanent employment (with probationary employment)
- Fixed-term employment (temporary, fixed-term employment)
Courier partners
We work continuously to review and develop our partnership agreements and can audit couriers at any time. In addition, we offer a whistleblowing function where drivers can report issues anonymously, and we may end contracts if couriers act in breach of our Code of Conduct or other important terms and conditions.
Penalties and fines
Instabee does not allow salary deductions or similar penalties or fines for our own or our partners'* employees (including drivers) as a penalty in a disciplinary matter in relation to an agreement with Instabee except (i) when regulated by a collective agreement or is legally permitted and required by applicable law, or (ii) in the event of speeding or parking fines where these can be traced to the partner's staff (including drivers).
* see definition under the section ‘Forms of employment’.
Collective bargaining agreements
Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBA or “Kollektivavtal” in Swedish) are common in the European labour market and, to a large extent, regulate the relationship between an employer and its employees. A CBA can typically regulate terms and termination of employment, working hours, minimum wages, vacation compensation, sickness compensation, etc. In some countries, the need to join a CBA is regulated by law; in others, it is voluntary.
For example, in the Netherlands, our courier and transport partners must be affiliated with the CBA for “Professional goods transport by road and the rental of mobile cranes” (“CBA goederenvervoer”). In our agreements, we require that couriers follow this collective labour agreement, and we pay accordingly. The collective labour agreement determines, among other things, the hourly wage for drivers, pension, overtime and irregular working hours.
In Finland, all our employees are working under our sector applicable collective bargaining agreement called Communications and Logistics CBA (Viestinvälitys- ja Logistiikka-alan työehtosopimus).
As of October 1st, 2023, Instabee is part of the Swedish Transport Workers Union’s (Swedish: “Transportarbetareförbundet") CBA, meaning that about 700 employees at Instabee in Sweden are covered. This is one way in which we show that we are a responsible employer and trustworthy business partner.
We demand that our partners ensure that the main provisions for the benefit of the employees in the relevant collective agreement(s) are (i) implemented, met and fulfilled or (ii) surpassed. I.e. they should be on par with, or better than, relevant CBAs. This is regulated in our Code of Conduct, which you can read here.
Any company we work with is free to sign a CBA, and everybody employed by Instabee is free to join a union. The freedom to organise in unions, no matter for what company or within which function, is regulated by law.
Diversity & inclusion
We structurally embed diversity and inclusion into our company culture, aiming to build an inclusive culture where all perspectives and experiences are included. As a result, diversity and inclusion are integral parts of all People & Culture and Talent & Acquisition processes, whether about salary reviews, internal mobility, performance reviews or recruitment.
Recruitment
Recruitment is a pivotal area where our focus on diversity, equality, and inclusion shines through. Our aim is to ensure that the recruitment team is continuously developing their skills and knowledge through, for example, internal training to ensure that our hiring process values skills and personality traits as the primary factors. We collaborate with an external company for advanced logic and personality tests, reinforcing our commitment to fair and inclusive recruitment practices.
We aim to be as transparent as possible in our recruitment processes, and our general hiring process is accessible to potential candidates and other interested parties on our career page.
Internal training & tracking
We organise manager training, focusing on topics such as unconscious bias recruitment and inclusive leadership. To keep track of the perception of how well we progress on this topic among our co-workers, we regularly perform eNPS surveys across the organisation. The results of the eNPS survey are shared and followed up by the board and leadership group, as well as with each team.
Governance
Our focus
We strive to conduct business in a respected manner that mitigates risks for our internal and external stakeholders. Our approach to business ethics is integral to our mission of fostering a sustainable, trustworthy, and responsible business environment. Our commitment is reflected in the implementation of comprehensive policies and procedures, including corporate governance and risk management processes, designed to uphold the highest standards of ethics and integrity, ensuring the sustainability and resilience of our business conducts and operations.
Code of Conduct
All suppliers, business partners and subcontractors that conduct business with Instabee need to adhere to the standards and principles regarding business ethics, sustainability and compliance, which can be found in our Code of Conduct.
We work continuously to review and develop our partnerships to ensure that, for example, our business partners follow our Code of Conduct. We perform regular audits of our business partners, and severe breaches of our Code of Conduct or any other important terms of our agreement are seriously considered and lead to the evaluation of our business relationship.
Environmental policy
Instabee prioritises environmental responsibility, aiming to minimise our carbon footprint and negative impact on the planet. This commitment applies to the entire Instabee Group, overseen by the Group Leadership Team, ensuring adherence to the UN Global Compact principles and other applicable environmental regulations.
Read our environmental policy here.
Work environment policy
Instabee is committed to being an attractive workplace, characterised by the presence of thriving and engaged employees, collaboratively fostering a positive and safe professional environment. We hold the firm belief that active involvement, participatory engagement, knowledge sharing, and mutual accountability stand as important principles to guide us in this work. Our foremost objective is to facilitate the flourishing of our employees, facilitating their growth both on a professional level and as individuals.
Our work environment policy clearly states our work environment goals and how to achieve them, as well as related documents. The policy has been composed in collaboration with Svenska Transportarbetarförbundet and covers all employees in the Instabee Group, as well as subsidiaries, including Contractors.
The Norwegian Transparency Act
The Norwegian Transparency Act (Norwegian: “Åpenhetsloven”) was adopted by the Norwegian parliament in June 2021 and went into force on July 1st 2022. The Act requires large companies selling products or services in Norway to carry out human rights due diligence in line with the OECD Guidelines.
Instabee is committed to conducting due diligence on human rights in accordance with the Norwegian Transparency Act and OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises. We remain committed to continuous improvement across our own operations and throughout our business relationships.
Read our latest Transparency Act Statement here.
Whistleblowing
Instabee is working to fight corruption, money laundering, unlawful behaviour and other serious misconduct within our business. One important part of that work consists of providing appropriate channels where such suspected misconduct can be reported anonymously in a way that prioritises the safety and security of the reporting individual. This gives Instabee the possibility to prevent and correct improper activity within our organisation.
Read more here.
