Digital choices that make a difference for the climate

Through detailed life cycle analyses, from forestry to end use, we compare every step in the process. The result? A digital shipment with Kivra corresponds to only 0.5 grams of carbon dioxide emissions, compared to 19 grams for paper mail.

Methodology report

How we measure climate impact

Kivra, with the help of an external partner (U&We), has analyzed every step in a shipment's journey. Through the analysis, we ensure a fair comparison between analog and digital.

Paper post

A typical letter contains three A4 sheets (4.99 grams per sheet) and one envelope (6.68 grams of paper and 0.23 grams of window plastic). We also include the forestry required to produce the paper – one tree can produce approx. 7,500 A4 pages.

Receipts

A receipt weighs approximately 0.88 grams. A typical width of receipt rolls is 80 mm and a typical length is 200 mm. A typical weight of receipt paper is 55 g/m2.

Digital shipment

For a digital shipment the energy from our servers, which are powered by renewable electricity, and from the user's device when reading the message is analyzed.

Open data sources and defined assumptions

We are aware that some steps in the analysis, especially distribution, can be difficult to measure precisely. We have therefore had to make a number of assumptions and limitations.

For example, that paper is transported approx. 500 kilometers from the paper mill to the printing house. That the window plastic of an envelope is made of polystyrene. That paper mail is distributed by diesel trucks, and that waste management is handled through municipal systems for recycled paper.

We therefore welcome feedback, insights and data from other actors to continuously improve and refine our calculator.

This is how much you save with Kivra

We try to make it easy for everyone to understand our climate impact. Our calculator calculates saved emissions minus (-) impact of sending via Kivra.

Letters

A paper letter, including production and distribution, has a climate impact of 19 g CO2e – the same as a 90-meter car journey. A digital shipment with Kivra has a climate impact equivalent to just 2 meters by car.

Receipts

A paper receipt generates 0.32 g CO2e (a car journey of approx. 1.5 meters). A digital receipt with Kivra accounts for only 0.04 g CO2e (a car journey of approx. 20 centimeters).

Your small choices make a big difference

With Kivra you save forests, energy and climate impact – and contribute to a greener future. Start making a difference today.

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All figures are taken from the Methodology report where further source references are available.