Luggage Shipping Company’s Carbon Offset Program Marks Fifth Anniversary

BOSTON, April 26, 2013 – Luggage Forward, the leading provider of doorstep to destination luggage delivery, marks the fifth anniversary of offering carbon-neutral door-to-door luggage shipments for travelers worldwide. Luggage Forward’s Carbon Offset Program began in 2008 in partnership with Carbonfund.org, the leading nonprofit provider of carbon offset and climate solutions.

Since the program’s inception, thousands of clients have chosen to offset the carbon emissions generated shipping luggage from their home directly to their destination. The amount of carbon offset during the life of this program is equivalent to the annual CO2 emissions from more than 41,000 gallons of gasoline consumed, or the equivalent of taking 76 passenger vehicles off the road for a year.

“Many of our clients appreciate having the option to offset the carbon impact of their travel, so that the spectacular places they visit can be preserved for generations to come,” said Zeke Adkins, Co-Founder of Luggage Forward, “we’re pleased to have given our clients this choice since 2008.”

Luggage Forward was the first, and remains the only, door-to-door luggage delivery service to offer such a program. However, many major shipping providers have since joined this effort and now offer carbon neutral shipping. To mark the fifth consecutive year of participation in the CarbonFree® Shipping Program, Carbonfund.org will be planting 50 trees in recognition of Luggage Forward at the end of the year.

About Luggage Forward
Since 2004, Luggage Forward has set the standard in door-to-door delivery of luggage and sports equipment. The smart alternative to carrying and checking bags, Luggage Forward’s service is transforming today’s travel experience for those who demand the utmost in convenience, reliability and predictability. By leveraging a worldwide network of shipping partners, innovative technology and honest, unparalleled customer care Luggage Forward guarantees that bags will be delivered safely and on-time.

In addition to being a Virtuoso® Preferred Supplier, the company is the exclusive luggage delivery provider for many of the world’s leading travel brands including Abercrombie & Kent, American Express Vacations, Exclusive Resorts, Holland America Line and Seabourn Cruise Line. Luggage Forward has been twice named to the Inc 500|5000 list, ranked as the #9 fastest growing privately held travel company in the United States in 2012. For more information, visit www.luggageforward.com or call 866-416-7447.

According to a study by the International Journal of Environmental, Cultural, Economic, and Social Sustainability, the issue of sustainability is increasingly important in the apparel industry.  Environmentally-conscious fashion designers and retailers are moving away from the wasteful trend of “fast fashion” to focus on eco-fashion practices.  

New CarbonFree^® Shipping Partner Hearts believes that “conscious consumers create change,” and that sustainable fashion is not only environmentally friendly, but also a means of artistic and cultural expression.  As Hearts launches its sustainable fashion online store, it has chosen to embed a carbon neutral shipping program as part of its environmentally-responsible commitment. 

Through the CarbonFree Shipping Program, Hearts calculates the carbon footprint associated with the inbound and outbound product shipping and makes a corresponding donation to support Carbonfund.org’s projects that reduce carbon emissions, in order to lessen the impact of the carbon emissions created by any outbound shipping process.  Hearts will be providing an immediate positive effect through investment back into reforestation projects, clean energy development and energy efficiency technologies. 

“Hearts understands that environmental and economic sustainability is crucial with any e-commerce platform but especially in the world of fashion where it is our duty and responsibility to offset the carbon emissions when we can,” stated Michelle Petro, president.  She added, “We are thrilled to partner with Carbonfund.org because they too are our environmental change makers.” 

“Our CarbonFree Shipping Program offers a simple and affordable solution for responsible retailers such as Hearts to deliver their products worldwide in an environmentally sustainable way,” adds Eric Carlson, President of Carbonfund.org.  “The CarbonFree Shipping label will assure Hearts’ customers that they’re choosing to make purchases from a company that is committed to its mission of social consciousness.”