Environmental and climate changes have become a priority due to their negative effect on human health and safety. A critical step towards solving ecological problems is making businesses less environmentally harmful.
This trend is especially prevalent in the logistics sector, which is responsible for around 30% of the overall carbon emissions in the USA. Here, we’ll show seven effective ways to lower the harmful footprint of freight services.
Shipment Consolidation and Route Optimization
Effective route planning helps to shorten delivery time and transportation distance. This is highly beneficial for freight companies as it decreases fuel use and makes commercial transportation safer for the environment.
Intermodal and consolidated shipments are also examples of smart route planning, as grouping smaller orders helps to minimize delivery costs and avoid unnecessary pollution.
Use of Electric and Hybrid Vehicles
Electric trucks have many advantages when it comes to environmental aspects. Such vehicles produce zero harmful emissions and reduce noise pollution, which is especially important for urban areas.
Another effective way to mitigate climate change is choosing biofuels such as ethanol or biodiesel.
Boost Vehicle Performance
Simple solutions help to minimize engine strains and avoid unnecessary fuel consumption. This includes regular maintenance of a vehicle (air filter replacement, oil changes, etc.) and adaptation of more eco-friendly driving techniques to reduce idling times and rapid speed changes.
Implementation of modern telematics allows monitoring of truck conditions, fuel consumption, and engine load. This helps to highlight the most critical operating conditions, improve driving habits, and optimize delivery routes.
Naturally Degradable and Renewable Packages
Another important issue of transportation services is using plastic materials for packaging. Choosing naturally degradable substitutes like corrugated cardboard or coconut fibers can reduce waste and environmental harm. Reusable packaging is another example of mindful consumption that will not only help to prevent global warming but will also reduce regular spends.
Using lightweight packaging is one more response to environmental problems. Reducing the weight of transported goods leads to more optimized fuel consumption. Some positive changes are also possible with smarter usage of shipping space by freight forwarding services. Using flat-pack boxes and grouping smaller orders are simple ways to eliminate unused space in a truck or container.
Expanded Use of Clear Energy
Renewable energy is a great step to reduce costs, minimize carbon footprint, and enhance corporate reputation. Compact solar panels and medium-sized wind turbines are placed on the roofs of offices and warehouses on unused land areas. It is also possible to buy solar or wind power from energy providers, which can become an alternative variant for those companies that don’t use their own clear energy generators for some reason.
Effective Monitoring and Data Analysis
Analyzing data about fuel consumption, load effectiveness, and vehicle conditions is the first step toward positive changes in reducing the carbon footprint. Using modern telematics, trackers, and sensors allows getting accurate data and building effective strategies that improve problematic areas promptly.
Engagement of Suppliers and Customers
Collaboration is the fastest way to fight environmental problems. Educating suppliers and customers about possible ways of carbon footprint minimization, getting feedback on eco-friendly packaging, and discussing new routes can become an inspiration for building more ecologically concerned strategies.
Conclusion
Lowering environmental pollution and carbon emissions is a challenging task for the transportation industry, which is associated with the use of huge vehicles and the consumption of tons of fossil fuels. Yet, several ways help freight services to reduce significant carbon footprint.
They include optimized use of shipping space, trucking distance, improving driving habits, and encouraging the use of eco-friendly energy and materials.
