DPD Netherlands as a Friend of IT4Kids – An Interview with Martijn Kleij
DPD Netherlands has been a Friend of IT4Kids for the past three years and recently extended its partnership for another three years. For both organisations, this felt like a natural next step. We spoke with Martijn Kleij, Chief Commercial Officer of DPD Netherlands, about sustainability and why supporting sports opportunities for children aligns perfectly with DPD’s mission.
As part of the international Geopost network, sustainability is deeply embedded in DPD Netherlands’ way of doing business. Martijn refers to the philosophy behind the international For the Good of the Planet campaign. “I personally think it’s a wonderful idea. We all share the same planet, so we have a responsibility to take care of it.”
The Most Sustainable Parcel Delivery Company
“Our ambition is to become Europe’s most sustainable parcel delivery company,” says Martijn. “That’s why we’ve committed to achieving Net Zero by 2040.” This means reducing emissions by 90% and offsetting the remaining emissions.
According to Martijn, the biggest challenge lies in European transport. “We’re accelerating our investment in electric vehicles. Our depots are equipped with solar panels, and we design new facilities to be as self-sufficient as possible. These require significant investments, but they are essential.”
Elite Performance with Social Impact
Handling millions of parcels every day, DPD describes its operations as “elite performance.” “It’s physically demanding work that requires teamwork and discipline,” Martijn explains. “That’s where IT4Kids is a natural fit. Sport represents health, movement, and equal opportunities. Issues like poverty, childhood obesity, and unequal opportunities cannot be ignored. IT4Kids connects sport with social impact, bringing people into motion—both literally and figuratively.”
Sustainable and Social Responsibility
For DPD, partnering with IT4Kids simply makes sense. In addition to being a Friend of IT4Kids, the company also donates its decommissioned IT hardware.
“We have IT equipment that has reached the end of its lifecycle for our business,” Martijn explains. “If it can be reused responsibly and compliantly while contributing to society, why wouldn’t you do it?”
The fact that IT4Kids offers a secure, transparent, and measurable process makes all the difference. “Compliance and data security are essential. We want to be certain that all data is handled correctly and that the impact is measurable. It has to be done responsibly, and IT4Kids makes that completely transparent.”
A Long-Term Partnership
Extending the partnership for another three years felt like the obvious choice. “There’s a real connection between our organisations. Through IT4Kids, we can contribute with the resources we have, and they turn those resources into meaningful social impact.”
A Message to Other Companies
For DPD, the partnership with IT4Kids demonstrates how easy it can be to make a difference.
“Many companies have resources they no longer use. Think about what you can do with them. It solves your own challenge, costs you nothing extra, and creates something positive. Reach out to IT4Kids. It just makes sense.”
Would you like to learn more about becoming a Friend of IT4Kids? Discover the possibilities or get in touch with us.