When brands set sustainability goals, “local sourcing” is often the first lever they pull. It sounds simple: fewer miles equals fewer emissions. And sometimes, that’s true. But supply chains do not run on miles alone. They run on load planning, routing, carrier networks, and how efficiently product is made and moved. If the “local” option requires multiple partial shipments, extra stops, or inefficient production, it can create more emissions than a slightly longer haul that ships smarter. Sustainability is not just about distance. It is about the full logistics plan, end to end.

 

The Myth

The nearest supplier is always the most sustainable.

 

The Reality

Carbon impact comes from the whole system: production efficiency plus transportation efficiency. Routing, load factor, and backhauls can matter as much as miles.

 

Full-Truckload vs Partial Loads

A full-truckload (FTL) from an efficient regional plant can outperform multiple less-than-truckload (LTL) shipments from a closer source. Why? Because every additional shipment adds handling, stop-and-go routing, and often more total miles across the network. One well-planned lane can beat several fragmented moves.

 

Load Factor and “Air Shipping”

A half-full truck is still a full truck on the road. If orders are split into smaller, frequent shipments, you can end up “shipping air” repeatedly. Higher load factor means more product moved per trip, which usually improves emissions per unit delivered.

 

Routing and Stops

Direct lanes are typically cleaner than multi-stop routes. LTL networks can involve terminals, transfers, and extra touches that increase travel and fuel. Even if the origin is closer, the path may be less efficient.

 

Backhauls and Empty Miles

One of the biggest hidden drivers of freight emissions is empty miles. If a carrier can secure a backhaul, the return trip is productive instead of wasted. A supplier with strong lane density and predictable volume can often support better backhaul opportunities, improving the efficiency of the whole route.

 

Why “Efficient Regional” Often Wins:

• Consolidated shipping: Full pallets, fuller trucks, fewer trips

• Predictable lanes: Fewer stops and less handling

• Lower empty miles: Better backhaul potential through stronger networks

• Better planning: Campaign scheduling and cadence reduce last-minute LTL

• System-wide sustainability: Emissions reduced across production and freight, not just one segment

 

At Can-One USA, we help customers plan ship cadence around real demand so freight stays consolidated. When you share forecasts, we can align production runs, build full pallets, and structure lanes that reduce trucks on the road while keeping service reliable.

 

Why It Matters

Scope 3 emissions are not a marketing headline. They are a math problem. The most sustainable supply chains are the ones designed to run efficiently in real-world conditions: fewer shipments, better lane planning, less rework, and fewer “just-in-case” emergency moves. When brands look beyond “closest” and start optimizing the full plan, they often reduce both emissions and cost at the same time.

 

A Practical Tip

Share your forecast and expected ship cadence early. Even a simple monthly estimate helps unlock smarter freight planning: consolidated lanes, full pallets, and fewer partials. If you are currently shipping frequent LTL loads, ask whether those orders can be combined into a regular FTL cadence or a consolidated regional route. You will make your sustainability story more credible and your logistics plan a lot less chaotic.

Ready to sanity-check your current shipping pattern and see where consolidation could reduce trucks and emissions? Our team can walk through your cadence, lane options, and the FTL vs LTL tradeoffs.