Last-Mile Delivery Optimization: Balancing Cost Efficiency and Environmental Sustainability

Abstract

The significance of last-mile delivery in supply chains has increased due to the growth of e-commerce. Last- mile delivery (LMD) is responsible for a large amount of the environmental impact and overall logistical costs. In order to balance economic effectiveness and environmental sustainability in last-mile delivery operations, this article examines optimization options. The study used a descriptive design; collected and analyzed quantitative data. Key players in last-mile delivery, including logistics firms, online merchants, and delivery service providers, who were given surveys via Google Forms to collect primary data. The topics covered included cost structures, environmental issues, current optimization techniques, and practices. Data on current last-mile delivery strategies, optimization techniques, and environmental sustainability projects were gathered through a literature review. With a case study in Lagos, Nigeria, the study focused on metropolitan areas. Participants with substantial last-mile delivery and logistics experience were chosen using a purposive sample technique. Twenty logistics and supply chain managers, ten couriers and delivery drivers, ten owners of e-commerce businesses, thirty customers, five transportation and logistics service providers, five sustainability specialists, eight city officials and urban planners, and seven technology providers were included in the sample. The analysis with statistical methods, such as table and charts, was used to analyzed the participants opinions. The paper contributes to the growing body of literature that links supply chain efficiency with sustainability goals