Green Logistics: The logistics pain for a green gain
The word ‘Green’ has become a trendsetter. It’s a catchword for people in business and policymakers showing their responsibility and commitment towards the environment. In such a scenario, the logistics sector is not an exception as they are the major contributors to carbon-di-oxide emission due to fossil fuel combustion in the transport sector. This is where Green Logistics comes to the rescue wherein its objective is to transport and deliver the consignment at the lowest possible cost whilst reducing its adverse impact on the environment, at the same time, it offers improved efficiency of transport at reduced costs.
Green logistics, even though a new concept, it’s an evolving one. Let’s see how a logistics company ensures to safeguard the environment with limited resources at hand:
Reduced packaging
The use of packaging materials that are used in large quantities amounts to huge waste in the end. Most of the packing today is done in plastic and hardboards, adding to the woes of the environment. To transport and deliver the consignment from one country to another in good condition, loads of packaging materials are used to avoid any damage to the items inside.
Measures were taken for a green set-up: The first change is to replace plastic with biodegradable materials for the packing purpose. Even though sturdy plastic is necessary to pack and keep the items together, it’s necessary to pack individual items in lighter and degradable packaging, thus reducing the extent of waste.
Using of vehicle
The use of low-pollution vehicles like a hybrid or CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) vehicles, use of GPS to optimize routes, and RFID to record and track the driver’s position helps in minimising the pollution and are part of the green revolution.
In addition, improvement in loading efficiency to reduce the number of vehicles by loading one truck with many freight as possible.
Digital solutions
Automation of the process involving various logistics operations: implementing a digital solution for efficient warehouse management systems, distribution management system and freight management system that can reduce paperwork, and offer data accuracy in collaboration with various tools providing benefit to logistics companies.
Reverse logistics
Reverse logistics contributes towards green initiative along with financial returns. The damaged and unwanted products can be repaired and reused again in a new avatar to reduce waste and contribute to the green ecology.
Proactive & corrective actions
Activities like regular maintenance of fleets and improved driving help in increasing efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Similarly, understanding the demand of saleable products can help forecasting of stocking of items in the warehouses as this helps reducing wastage to a lot extent. Damaged goods can be reused and stocked for resale. All these corrective measures help improved productivity and contribute to a green environment.
Today, we all look up to solutions that can offer us clean and green earth and a small contribution from each of us can make a huge difference. 20Cube Logistics have gone digital to and implemented automation all across the branches to save and reduce paperwork. It’s a small step for the betterment of the industry as well as the earth.
