6 Positive Ways To Make Your Logistics Business More Environmentally Friendly *

AD | If you run a logistics company, then you know that it can be a tough, resource-intensive business. The nature of your work means you have to keep lots of vehicles and people moving around. This can take its toll on both your resources and the environment. However, there are some fairly easy small changes you can implement to help reduce your carbon footprint, and to make your logistics business more environmentally friendly.

Six Swaps To Make Your Logistics Business More Environmentally Friendly

Improving your business’s environmental score sometimes requires you to deploy tools and methods that take away unnecessary processes, or those that release or trigger harmful chemicals. Here are 6 positive ways to help you reduce the impact your logistics business has on the planet as well as improve efficiency and save money in the longer term.

Use Reusable Boxes

Reusable boxes are a simple, effective way to reduce waste. Not only can you use them to ship your products but you can also use them for storage in your warehouse. Reusable plastic or cardboard boxes have many uses, as well as being more durable and lasting longer than paper boxes or foam packaging materials. You’ll be saving money on shipping costs as well as reducing waste by using reusable packaging materials instead of disposable ones.

Use Reusable Bottles

Reusable bottles are definitely the best option for your business, as well as better for the environment, and will save you money in the long run. They’re convenient too because they can be used for many different liquids, including water and other liquids that don’t need refrigeration.

Make Your Packaging Eco-Friendly

Recycled packaging materials are a great way to start making your business more environmentally friendly. Here are 3 ways you can reduce your business’s carbon footprint by finding creative alternatives with better outcomes:

• Use recycled paper including envelopes, packing materials and any other paperwork that requires printing on the outside. When choosing between two options that both have recycled content, choose the one made with more eco-friendly materials (such as using soy ink instead of conventional).
• Use biodegradable packing materials whenever possible if it doesn’t affect the quality of your product in any way. This could mean using organic peanuts or wooden pallets for shipping products instead of plastic bubble wrap or foam peanuts, which take longer to degrade and have potentially harmful chemicals inside them (such as phthalates).
• Use eco polythene bags, also called sustainable polythene or recycled polythene, which is a durable form of polythene that’s also environmentally friendly. Eco-friendly polythene packaging is biodegradable but has no leaks or blowouts and is difficult to crease or puncture.

Recycle

• Recycle paper, cardboard and plastic at approved recycling centres or collaborate with other local businesses to create a recycling value chain.
• Donate unwanted, good quality items to charity – you’ll be clearing out your clutter and helping someone else at the same time.
• Sell larger items online or at local auctions.

Implement A Carpool System

Sharing a ride to work with others, who also have to travel in the same direction, reduces the number of cars on the road and their carbon emissions, and will set you well on the way to making your business more environmentally friendly.

• What time do you need to leave for work? When does traffic usually get bad? Try and co-ordinate your schedules with other employees at your company who need to travel at similar times as you do.
• Are there any other employees who live in close proximity? If so, they may be able to collaborate and offer each other rides if they don’t already have their own cars or use other public transport options.

Plan Routes Carefully

• Planning routes carefully can save you save money and reduce emissions, increase your business’s efficiency, and help you to get packages to customers faster.

Good For Our Planet and Good For Your Bottom Line

Reducing your carbon footprint (even if switching to green energy or biophilic design may not be entirely achievable just yet) is a great start on the journey to making your logistics business more environmentally-friendly and more sustainable. Some of these steps can be implemented today, while guiding employees towards achieving the sustainable goals of the company will require a larger investment and their support. But improving your company’s image by being seen as more eco-friendly company will also make your business more attractive to customers, which can only be good for your bottom line in the long run.

* This is a collaborative post – please see my Disclaimer.