DHL, the world’s leading provider of international express shipping services, today announced the five U.S. small businesses selected as GoGreen Giveaway winners and runners-up, providing them with shipping stipends, guidance, and resources to help each business grow more sustainably.

The GoGreen Giveaway grand prize winner is Kubox, a lightweight crate company in Lebanon, Tennessee that creates reusable, eco-friendly containers ideal for shipping items that are too fragile or heavy for a corrugated box. Kubox’s lightweight crate materials allow for lower freight costs, providing businesses and individuals with a budget-friendly and eco-conscious option for their distribution needs. The four runners-up include Trenchless Supply in Murrieta, CA, True Products in Atlanta, GA, Havoly in Newfield, NY, and Form Function Form in Orlando, FL.

As the grand prize winner, Kubox receives a $10K international shipping stipend to apply to transport costs and GoGreen Plus services, good for up to 12 months (or while supplies last); $20K worth of sustainable business consulting; and GoGreen Carbon Reporting. The four runners-up each receive a $5K shipping stipend to apply to transport costs and GoGreen Plus services, good for up to 12 months (or while supplies last); and a Sustainability in Logistics Virtual Session.

“Many businesses are looking to enhance their commitment to sustainability, but obstacles such as financial constraints and a lack of clear direction are hindering their progress," says Greg Hewitt, CEO of DHL Express U.S. “With these resources, our GoGreen Giveaway winners will receive support and guidance to help achieve sustainable growth. Additionally, through our GoGreen Plus service, all small-and-medium enterprise customers can make their own supply chains more sustainable.”

Earlier this year, DHL Express launched GoGreen Plus for U.S. SMEs, enabling customers to reduce (‘inset’) the carbon emissions associated with their shipments through the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Now, customers based in the U.S.—and any country—have the option to select GoGreen Plus when choosing their shipping preferences within MyDHL+, the company’s online shipping and tracking platform. The service is designed to be fully flexible and can be selected for individual shipments. Shippers also have the option to tailor the CO2e reduction they want to achieve and the amount of SAF they use.

The giveaway follows the company’s recent survey of nearly 2,500 small-and-medium enterprises (SMEs), including DHL customers, which gained insights into how businesses prioritize sustainability. Of all respondents, 95% said sustainability is important to their business, with almost half (48%) believing it’s extremely important. However, when asked about the biggest challenge to achieving sustainable goals, 42% said the overall investment is the main obstacle, and 11% said they had no clue where to start.

With the help of DHL Consulting, Kubox will receive a customized sustainability action plan focused on environmental impact and tailored to its unique business. Expert consultants will organize a session with senior management to review the revised business model and actionable initiatives recommended to improve sustainable performance. This may include but is not limited to, modifications around sustainable sourcing, warehousing, and packaging.

The GoGreen Plus service is made possible following DHL’s recent collaborations with BP and Neste to supply SAF to DHL Express hubs around the world. The renewable part of the innovative fuel is produced from waste oils. Such SAF from wastes and residues can provide greenhouse gas emission reductions of up to 80 percent over its life cycle compared to the conventional jet fuel it replaces.