The Environment and Us

Be nice! Real actions, measurable progress and a commitment to transparency.

As part of the niceshops group, we embrace a simple guiding principle: "Be nice". This philosophy shapes how we work, how we treat people and how we approach our responsibilities as a business. We believe that environmental and social considerations can go hand in hand with commercial success. Rather than relying on broad promises, we focus on specific initiatives, measurable results and open communication about our progress.

Since 2018, we have calculated our corporate carbon footprint annually to get a better understanding of our greenhouse gas emissions and identify opportunities for improvement. One of our key objectives is to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions intensity, measured in tonnes of CO₂ equivalent per million euros of revenue. Between 2024 and 2025, this figure decreased by 14.7%. This represents a reduction in emissions relative to revenue, rather than necessarily a reduction in total emissions.

Our approach has also received external recognition: niceshops was presented with a Special Award for Integrated Sustainability by Great Place To Work.

Here are some examples of our initiatives and activities (2025/2026):

Energy & Infrastructure

• At our headquarters in Saaz, Austria, 100% of our electricity requirements are covered by electricity purchased under a certified renewable electricity tariff and electricity generated on site.
• Our rooftop solar installation at the Saaz logistics centre generates electricity equivalent to more than one-third of the site's annual electricity requirements.
• Our logistics centre was constructed using timber and uses recovered heat from a neighbouring farmer's biogas plant as part of its heating and cooling system.

Shipping & Packaging

• More than 98% of the shipping materials used in our parcels are free from plastic. Plastic film is still used for certain bulky items and pallet shipments where a suitable alternative has not yet been implemented.
• Our specially designed shipping boxes can be opened and resealed without adhesive tape, allowing them to be used again for returns where suitable. This patented packaging design has received the Austrian State Prize for Packaging and a WorldStar Global Packaging Award.
• Our reported product return rate is approximately 3%. Where feasible, returned products are inspected, repaired or prepared for further use rather than immediately discarded.

Transport & Workplace

• Approximately 30 charging points for electric cars and e-bikes are available to employees at our Saaz site. The company also operates a fleet that includes electric vehicles.
• Our internal "Mobi Taskforce" encourages employees to consider alternatives to petrol and diesel car journeys. Initiatives include the "Mobi Points" incentive scheme, employee bicycles and public transport passes.
• Employees can enjoy complimentary meals prepared in our on-site kitchen, including dishes made with regional ingredients and dedicated vegetarian days.
• The garden at our headquarters in Saaz, known as "nicegarden", has been designed according to the Austrian "Natur im Garten" criteria. It includes planted areas and features intended to provide habitats for local wildlife, alongside outdoor spaces for employees.

Supporting Regional Projects

• We support farmers in south-eastern Styria who use agricultural practices aimed at increasing soil humus levels. These projects focus on improving soil management and increasing soil organic matter, which can contribute to soil carbon storage under suitable conditions.

Find Out More

Want to explore the figures and initiatives in more detail? We publish information about our activities, objectives and reported progress. Read more about our approach to corporate responsibility and access our latest sustainability report here.