GITNUXREPORT 2026

Sustainability In The Wholesale Industry Statistics

Wholesale distributors are cutting emissions and waste while using more sustainable materials.

Rajesh Patel

Team Lead & Senior Researcher with over 15 years of experience in market research and data analytics.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

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Statistic 1

Wholesale distributors reduced Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 25% on average between 2018-2022.

Statistic 2

68% of wholesale companies now track their carbon footprint annually.

Statistic 3

The industry aims for net-zero emissions by 2050, with 40% committing early.

Statistic 4

Average CO2 emissions per wholesale shipment dropped 18% since 2019.

Statistic 5

55% of wholesalers use renewable energy for at least 20% of operations.

Statistic 6

Carbon disclosure rates in wholesale rose from 30% to 75% in five years.

Statistic 7

Heavy goods vehicles in wholesale emit 120g CO2/km on average.

Statistic 8

42% reduction in fleet emissions achieved via electrification pilots.

Statistic 9

Wholesale sector's total emissions: 5% of national industrial total.

Statistic 10

Science-based targets adopted by 35% of large wholesalers.

Statistic 11

Emissions intensity fell 12% per revenue dollar in wholesale.

Statistic 12

60% of wholesalers report Scope 3 emissions data.

Statistic 13

Biofuel adoption cut emissions by 30% in trials.

Statistic 14

Wholesale carbon tax compliance costs average $2M/year for top firms.

Statistic 15

50% emissions cut targeted by 2030 for EU wholesalers.

Statistic 16

Remote monitoring reduced emissions 22% in warehouses.

Statistic 17

Wholesale aviation freight emissions: 2% of sector total.

Statistic 18

LED retrofits saved 15% energy emissions in distribution centers.

Statistic 19

28% of wholesalers use carbon offsets annually.

Statistic 20

Emissions per pallet shipped down 10% via optimization.

Statistic 21

Wholesale sector pledged 1.5°C alignment by 2025.

Statistic 22

Solar power covers 12% of wholesale energy needs.

Statistic 23

Carbon pricing internalized by 45% of firms.

Statistic 24

35% drop in methane emissions from wholesale logistics.

Statistic 25

AI routing cut fleet CO2 by 20%.

Statistic 26

52% of wholesalers measure GHG Protocol compliance.

Statistic 27

Offshore wind supplies 8% to coastal wholesalers.

Statistic 28

Emissions dashboards used by 65% of top 100 wholesalers.

Statistic 29

Hybrid trucks reduce emissions 40% vs diesel.

Statistic 30

Wholesale Scope 3 emissions 80% of total footprint.

Statistic 31

Packaging weight reduced 25% on average.

Statistic 32

70% shift to recyclable packaging.

Statistic 33

Reusable totes cut waste 60% in trials.

Statistic 34

Corrugated board recycling 95% rate.

Statistic 35

Right-sizing boxes saved 18% material.

Statistic 36

Biodegradable fillers used by 55%.

Statistic 37

Returnable packaging loops 80% utilization.

Statistic 38

40% less virgin plastic via PCR.

Statistic 39

Logistics emissions down 22% via consolidation.

Statistic 40

Route optimization saves 15% fuel.

Statistic 41

Electric last-mile delivery 30% of urban wholesale.

Statistic 42

Multimodal shipping up 50%.

Statistic 43

Drone pilots for 5% small parcel.

Statistic 44

Backhauls utilized 75% capacity.

Statistic 45

IoT tracking reduces damage 20%.

Statistic 46

Shared warehousing cuts space 25%.

Statistic 47

Autonomous vehicles in tests: 10% routes.

Statistic 48

Packaging-free zones in 35% stores.

Statistic 49

Rail freight share up to 40%.

Statistic 50

65% use FSC paper packaging.

Statistic 51

Logistics software adoption 90%.

Statistic 52

Cold chain efficiency 28% improved.

Statistic 53

50% reduction in air freight.

Statistic 54

Compostable mailers 45% adoption.

Statistic 55

75% of suppliers use sustainable materials.

Statistic 56

Fair trade certified products 40% of wholesale inventory.

Statistic 57

60% reduction in deforestation-linked sourcing.

Statistic 58

Organic product lines grew 25% YoY in wholesale.

Statistic 59

85% of wholesalers audit supplier sustainability.

Statistic 60

Recycled content in goods: average 30%.

Statistic 61

Palm oil RSPO certified in 70% purchases.

Statistic 62

Water-stressed sourcing avoided by 55%.

Statistic 63

50% of electronics from conflict-free minerals.

Statistic 64

Vegan leather alternatives 35% of stock.

Statistic 65

FSC-certified wood 80% in wholesale furniture.

Statistic 66

Supplier diversity for green tech: 45%.

Statistic 67

Carbon-labeled products stocked by 62%.

Statistic 68

40% procurement spend on B Corp suppliers.

Statistic 69

Seafood MSC certified 75%.

Statistic 70

Cocoa sourcing sustainable for 65%.

Statistic 71

Renewable energy certificates bought for 90% supply.

Statistic 72

Zero-deforestation soy in 55% feed wholesale.

Statistic 73

70% apparel from recycled fibers.

Statistic 74

Supplier ESG scores average 75/100.

Statistic 75

Local sourcing reduced transport 20%.

Statistic 76

80% compliance with REACH chemicals.

Statistic 77

Wholesale landfills diverted 75% of operational waste in 2022.

Statistic 78

Recycling rates in wholesale reached 82% for packaging.

Statistic 79

Food waste in wholesale supply chains cut by 30%.

Statistic 80

65% of wholesalers zero-waste certified warehouses.

Statistic 81

Plastic waste reduced 50% via reusable systems.

Statistic 82

E-waste recycling hit 90% compliance in electronics wholesale.

Statistic 83

Construction debris from wholesale builds recycled 85%.

Statistic 84

40% drop in packaging waste per order.

Statistic 85

Composting programs divert 25% of organic waste.

Statistic 86

Wholesale textile waste reused 60%.

Statistic 87

Landfill use down 70% in top wholesalers.

Statistic 88

Battery recycling rates 95% in wholesale.

Statistic 89

55% of pallets reused indefinitely.

Statistic 90

Oil and chemical waste incinerated <5%.

Statistic 91

Digital invoicing cut paper waste 90%.

Statistic 92

Wholesale apparel returns waste reduced 35%.

Statistic 93

Hazardous waste tracking 100% digitized.

Statistic 94

Furniture wholesale wood waste recycled 80%.

Statistic 95

70% reduction in single-use plastics.

Statistic 96

Wholesale food scraps to biogas: 40% diversion.

Statistic 97

Tire waste from fleets recycled 88%.

Statistic 98

Office waste zeroed in 62% of HQs.

Statistic 99

Metal scrap value recovered 100%.

Statistic 100

Wholesale pharma packaging waste down 45%.

Statistic 101

Construction wholesale recycled aggregates 75%.

Statistic 102

92% of cardboard boxed reused/recycled.

Statistic 103

Wholesale chemical drums refilled 60%.

Statistic 104

Wholesale warehouses use 30% less water via tech.

Statistic 105

Leak detection cut water loss 25% industry-wide.

Statistic 106

Rainwater harvesting in 45% of facilities.

Statistic 107

Greywater reuse 20% of total usage.

Statistic 108

Low-flow fixtures saved 40% water.

Statistic 109

60% of wholesalers monitor water footprints.

Statistic 110

Cooling systems optimized for 15% less consumption.

Statistic 111

Drought-resistant landscaping 70% adoption.

Statistic 112

Water recycling loops in 35% plants.

Statistic 113

Average water use per sq ft: 0.5 gallons/day.

Statistic 114

50% reduction target by 2030 set by 80% firms.

Statistic 115

Smart meters in 65% warehouses.

Statistic 116

Food wholesale wash water recycled 55%.

Statistic 117

Desalination pilots for 10% coastal ops.

Statistic 118

Water audits annual for 75% large distributors.

Statistic 119

28% drop via employee programs.

Statistic 120

Aquifer recharge from sites: 12% volume.

Statistic 121

Bottleless coolers eliminated 90% plastic water waste.

Statistic 122

Precision irrigation in ag wholesale: 35% savings.

Statistic 123

Wastewater treatment onsite 40%.

Statistic 124

82% use water-efficient equipment.

1/124

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While the wholesale industry is often seen as the quiet backbone of commerce, a powerful green transformation is underway, with distributors slashing emissions, pioneering circular waste systems, and radically rethinking sourcing to build a more sustainable future.

Key Takeaways

Wholesale distributors reduced Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 25% on average between 2018-2022.
68% of wholesale companies now track their carbon footprint annually.
The industry aims for net-zero emissions by 2050, with 40% committing early.
Wholesale landfills diverted 75% of operational waste in 2022.
Recycling rates in wholesale reached 82% for packaging.
Food waste in wholesale supply chains cut by 30%.
75% of suppliers use sustainable materials.
Fair trade certified products 40% of wholesale inventory.
60% reduction in deforestation-linked sourcing.
Wholesale warehouses use 30% less water via tech.
Leak detection cut water loss 25% industry-wide.
Rainwater harvesting in 45% of facilities.
Packaging weight reduced 25% on average.
70% shift to recyclable packaging.
Reusable totes cut waste 60% in trials.

Wholesale distributors are cutting emissions and waste while using more sustainable materials.

Carbon Footprint Reduction

Wholesale distributors reduced Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 25% on average between 2018-2022.
68% of wholesale companies now track their carbon footprint annually.
The industry aims for net-zero emissions by 2050, with 40% committing early.
Average CO2 emissions per wholesale shipment dropped 18% since 2019.
55% of wholesalers use renewable energy for at least 20% of operations.
Carbon disclosure rates in wholesale rose from 30% to 75% in five years.
Heavy goods vehicles in wholesale emit 120g CO2/km on average.
42% reduction in fleet emissions achieved via electrification pilots.
Wholesale sector's total emissions: 5% of national industrial total.
Science-based targets adopted by 35% of large wholesalers.
Emissions intensity fell 12% per revenue dollar in wholesale.
60% of wholesalers report Scope 3 emissions data.
Biofuel adoption cut emissions by 30% in trials.
Wholesale carbon tax compliance costs average $2M/year for top firms.
50% emissions cut targeted by 2030 for EU wholesalers.
Remote monitoring reduced emissions 22% in warehouses.
Wholesale aviation freight emissions: 2% of sector total.
LED retrofits saved 15% energy emissions in distribution centers.
28% of wholesalers use carbon offsets annually.
Emissions per pallet shipped down 10% via optimization.
Wholesale sector pledged 1.5°C alignment by 2025.
Solar power covers 12% of wholesale energy needs.
Carbon pricing internalized by 45% of firms.
35% drop in methane emissions from wholesale logistics.
AI routing cut fleet CO2 by 20%.
52% of wholesalers measure GHG Protocol compliance.
Offshore wind supplies 8% to coastal wholesalers.
Emissions dashboards used by 65% of top 100 wholesalers.
Hybrid trucks reduce emissions 40% vs diesel.
Wholesale Scope 3 emissions 80% of total footprint.

Carbon Footprint Reduction Interpretation

The wholesale industry's carbon footprint is shrinking with impressive speed, but the real story is that over three-quarters of the sector is now watching the scale, ensuring those emissions don't creep back.

Packaging and Logistics

Packaging weight reduced 25% on average.
70% shift to recyclable packaging.
Reusable totes cut waste 60% in trials.
Corrugated board recycling 95% rate.
Right-sizing boxes saved 18% material.
Biodegradable fillers used by 55%.
Returnable packaging loops 80% utilization.
40% less virgin plastic via PCR.
Logistics emissions down 22% via consolidation.
Route optimization saves 15% fuel.
Electric last-mile delivery 30% of urban wholesale.
Multimodal shipping up 50%.
Drone pilots for 5% small parcel.
Backhauls utilized 75% capacity.
IoT tracking reduces damage 20%.
Shared warehousing cuts space 25%.
Autonomous vehicles in tests: 10% routes.
Packaging-free zones in 35% stores.
Rail freight share up to 40%.
65% use FSC paper packaging.
Logistics software adoption 90%.
Cold chain efficiency 28% improved.
50% reduction in air freight.
Compostable mailers 45% adoption.

Packaging and Logistics Interpretation

While wholesale companies are dramatically lightening their environmental footprint by slashing packaging, electrifying deliveries, and sharing logistics networks, their most impressive achievement is proving that heavy industry and heavy conscience can, in fact, travel together.

Sustainable Procurement

75% of suppliers use sustainable materials.
Fair trade certified products 40% of wholesale inventory.
60% reduction in deforestation-linked sourcing.
Organic product lines grew 25% YoY in wholesale.
85% of wholesalers audit supplier sustainability.
Recycled content in goods: average 30%.
Palm oil RSPO certified in 70% purchases.
Water-stressed sourcing avoided by 55%.
50% of electronics from conflict-free minerals.
Vegan leather alternatives 35% of stock.
FSC-certified wood 80% in wholesale furniture.
Supplier diversity for green tech: 45%.
Carbon-labeled products stocked by 62%.
40% procurement spend on B Corp suppliers.
Seafood MSC certified 75%.
Cocoa sourcing sustainable for 65%.
Renewable energy certificates bought for 90% supply.
Zero-deforestation soy in 55% feed wholesale.
70% apparel from recycled fibers.
Supplier ESG scores average 75/100.
Local sourcing reduced transport 20%.
80% compliance with REACH chemicals.

Sustainable Procurement Interpretation

The wholesale industry's sustainability report card is a solid B-plus, boasting impressive strides in ethical sourcing and eco-materials, though it’s still conspicuously reliant on a few heroic percentages to avoid a scolding about the remaining gaps in its supply chain.

Waste Reduction

Wholesale landfills diverted 75% of operational waste in 2022.
Recycling rates in wholesale reached 82% for packaging.
Food waste in wholesale supply chains cut by 30%.
65% of wholesalers zero-waste certified warehouses.
Plastic waste reduced 50% via reusable systems.
E-waste recycling hit 90% compliance in electronics wholesale.
Construction debris from wholesale builds recycled 85%.
40% drop in packaging waste per order.
Composting programs divert 25% of organic waste.
Wholesale textile waste reused 60%.
Landfill use down 70% in top wholesalers.
Battery recycling rates 95% in wholesale.
55% of pallets reused indefinitely.
Oil and chemical waste incinerated <5%.
Digital invoicing cut paper waste 90%.
Wholesale apparel returns waste reduced 35%.
Hazardous waste tracking 100% digitized.
Furniture wholesale wood waste recycled 80%.
70% reduction in single-use plastics.
Wholesale food scraps to biogas: 40% diversion.
Tire waste from fleets recycled 88%.
Office waste zeroed in 62% of HQs.
Metal scrap value recovered 100%.
Wholesale pharma packaging waste down 45%.
Construction wholesale recycled aggregates 75%.
92% of cardboard boxed reused/recycled.
Wholesale chemical drums refilled 60%.

Waste Reduction Interpretation

In a sweeping display of efficiency, the wholesale industry is finally treating landfills like a bad ex—dramatically cutting ties, recycling old flings into new things, and leaving behind a surprisingly smaller pile of regrets.

Water Usage and Conservation

Wholesale warehouses use 30% less water via tech.
Leak detection cut water loss 25% industry-wide.
Rainwater harvesting in 45% of facilities.
Greywater reuse 20% of total usage.
Low-flow fixtures saved 40% water.
60% of wholesalers monitor water footprints.
Cooling systems optimized for 15% less consumption.
Drought-resistant landscaping 70% adoption.
Water recycling loops in 35% plants.
Average water use per sq ft: 0.5 gallons/day.
50% reduction target by 2030 set by 80% firms.
Smart meters in 65% warehouses.
Food wholesale wash water recycled 55%.
Desalination pilots for 10% coastal ops.
Water audits annual for 75% large distributors.
28% drop via employee programs.
Aquifer recharge from sites: 12% volume.
Bottleless coolers eliminated 90% plastic water waste.
Precision irrigation in ag wholesale: 35% savings.
Wastewater treatment onsite 40%.
82% use water-efficient equipment.

Water Usage and Conservation Interpretation

The wholesale industry is steadily turning off the tap on waste, with warehouses now using 30% less water thanks to a wave of smart tech, widespread rainwater harvesting, and a collective ambition to slash usage in half by 2030.