Across the globe, millions of deliveries take place every day from postcards and letters, to mass deliveries and container movements. As a result, the supply chain is one of the biggest contributors to environmental issues of all the industries. However, we’re starting to see changes slowly being implemented across the world, with companies adopting eco-friendly policies for how they operate. From greener packaging, to improved warehouse management, here’s how the supply chain and logistic industry is starting to go green.
Minimising Miles
The act of sourcing from local companies is quickly becoming commonplace across a vast range of industries. From manufacturers starting to bring in materials from local suppliers, to consumers searching for local freight companies as opposed to the bigger industry names, a current trend starting to emerge is a focus on minimising the miles spent on each delivery. When a manufacturer sources their materials from China, for example, this gives the resulting product a much larger ‘miles’ number than if it had been sourced locally. A company’s carbon footprint will grow with the more they ship their materials in from abroad. Through local sourcing, these miles are limited considerably, reducing that footprint and putting money back into a company’s local area.
Environmentally Friendly Packaging
Everyone from the average consumer to big brand manufacturers have been starting to adjust their packaging techniques and materials to be much more eco-friendly. Through the use of recycled or reusable materials, the potential for waste is reduced considerably which in turn, of course, makes it more eco-friendly. Similarly, reducing the amount of packaging you use to a bare minimum is another way to reduce waste. For example, if you’re sending something small, avoid using a box bigger than necessary, or an oversized postal bag. You’ll save yourself money through limiting the size of your final shipment and do your part for saving the environment too.
Warehouse Management Software
Warehouse Management Software has come on leaps and bounds over the years, providing logistics and stock managers with a much more in-depth insight into what is needed and when. Once again, this can reduce any excess of materials, improve efficiency when it comes to replenishing stock and ultimately help employees better manage their time, resources and assets. This software can create an eco-friendly mind-set, while reducing waste overall.
Driver Performance Improvements
More and more companies are implementing driver performance analysis to better understand how their drivers are working, the routes they choose and whether this could be improved to create better fuel efficiency. A businesses carbon footprint can be reduced considerably through better driving, the fuel put into every vehicle can be used more efficiently and high quality GPS systems could even help to reduce the amount of time sitting in traffic to improve fuel per mile ratios.
FCL over LCL
Finally, opting for Full Container Loads (FCLs) over Less Than Container Loads (LCLs) can work to reduce the amount of containers being shipped out at any one time. Whether you opt for bulk sending items, or sharing containers with other customers, by shipping more at once rather than less more often, you’ll be reducing your carbon footprint and ultimately improve supply chain efficiency overall.
The supply chain is quickly becoming more and more eco-friendly, but there’s still quite a way to go. With the above changes and future improvements and innovations just on the horizon, however, an environmentally friendly supply chain could be just around the corner.
If you’re looking to send your cargo abroad, here at Barrington Freight we can offer efficient delivery services via road, sea or air. For more information, why not get in touch with us today or fill in our form for a direct quote?
