Gnewt by Menzies Distribution has delivered its 500,000^th parcel for ASOS through a trial, which sees the company use a mixture of electric vans and human porters.

The partnership, which began in September last year, sees parcels bulk delivered by Menzies Distribution from ASOS’s warehouse in Barnsley to the Gnewt hub in Bow, East London.

The individual deliveries in London are then made from the Bow hub using electric vans and human porters, with Gnewt now delivering in excess of 4,000 parcels per day.

This initiative has so far saved more than 80 tonnes of CO2 compared to if standard delivery vans were used.

Sam Clarke, head of business development at Menzies Distribution, said: “Air pollution is a major issue in London with the legal air pollution limit being reached just one month into this year.

“Similarly, with the ultra low emission zone starting in April, drivers and brands will be forced to confront the problem with our air quality.

“Gnewt is proud to provide a service which is emission-free at the last mile, reduces congestion and doesn’t compromise on speed and quality of service.”

A number of Gnewt vans have also been wrapped using an environmentally friendly, non-PVC material with ASOS’s signature parcel design.

Gnewt has been in operation for nearly a decade and last year delivered more than one million parcels, reducing CO2 emissions by 67% per package.

Gnewt, in partnership with Ford, has developed and is trialling a portering model which requires a team to complete the last part of the journey by foot.

This aims to further reduce congestion, vehicle use and emissions and is currently provided to ASOS customers in Central London.