Reusable packaging and cargo bikes: pilot testing solutions for Quebec City’s book industry.
Several stakeholders in the book industry are seeking to reduce their environmental footprint. However, in a sector facing fierce competition from major online sales platforms, cost remains a significant barrier to the adoption of new practices. As a compact object, books are nevertheless well suited—at least in theory—to more sustainable delivery methods, such as cargo bikes or reusable packaging. It therefore became essential to test these solutions in real-world conditions.
Project description
In the summer of 2023, several bookstores and three publishers in Quebec City joined forces to pilot carbon-free delivery. They relied on the MonQuartier en Boîte order management platform—simple and accessible—which offers delivery by bike or electric vehicle depending on distance. The result: no additional cost, a human-centered approach that appeals to both booksellers and customers, and a service designed for long-term use.
In 2024, the Librairies indépendantes du Québec (LIQ), the MHM publishing group, and Librairie Vaugeois examined the feasibility of using PickPack reusable envelopes. Although available in two sizes, these envelopes proved poorly suited to books: the wide range of book formats and the need for protective, padded packaging create logistical challenges.
“People really appreciate seeing a human being on a bike delivering their book, and we wanted to preserve that. It saves time, but in terms of costs it’s more or less the same.”
— Marie-Hélène Vaugeois, Librairie Vaugeois
“We’re always operating in a short supply chain; we’re close to the customer.”
— Arnaud Bertrand, MonQuartier en Boîte
Results and learnings
40 deliveries per week
Equivalent to 0.5 tonnes of CO₂e avoided and 200 kilometers of truck travel avoided per week
Reduction in travel time, handling, and resources involved
Positive perception of bike delivery
Challenges
No reusable packaging solution yet suitable for the specific requirements of home book delivery.
Difficulty in measuring the economic impact of the “positive perception” of bike delivery.
