The average grocery store customer likely appreciates their favorite cereal brand's effort in "going green" with more immediacy than the supply chain infrastructure which delivered the box to the shelf. Yet sustainable logistics will play an enormous role in securing the health and safety of future generations. The logistics industry is slowly (but surely) shifting its aim toward greener operations, and they are finding that in addition to making the earth a cleaner, more habitable orb, it's actually saving companies money, too. Going green is more than just a supply or market trend; it's an investment in a better world and the right thing to do.
Here are three of the ways the logistics industry is going green with an eye for long-term sustainability.
1. Establishing sustainable 'best practices'
In 2014 Business for Social Responsibility (BSR) released "Transitioning to Low-Carbon Fuel: A Business Guide for Sustainable Trucking in North America," a comprehensive report designed to bring supply chain managers up to speed on current and future environmental regulations, while offering support in rising to these challenges. In that same year, the Weastflows project released a significant report on green best practices in Europe. Lessening logistics' environmental impact is a worldwide effort, with experts coming together to provide a road map for improvement.
2. Working smarter (not harder) with technology
Logistics companies reap immense benefits when they work smarter with cutting-edge technology. Mobile apps and cloud-based technology improve communications and mitigate expensive mistakes, while cutting back on both paper and fuel usage, both of which can add up to savings in the hundreds of thousands of dollars per year.
3. Reducing, reusing, recycling with eco-friendly packaging
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, paper and paperboard accounted for 27 percent of the 254 millions tons of municipal solid waste (MSW) in 2013. To help combat these overwhelming statistics, logistics companies are embracing eco-friendly packaging with enthusiasm, finding that using less -- and reusing -- saves money and boosts productivity.
Green practices are irrevocably linked time and again with both saving money and saving the world, creating a win/win environment for all. For more winning solutions, contact us today to ask about our integrated shipping technology.
