Green Logistics
The term "Green Logistics" refers to the combination of various sustainable strategies and measures that aim to reduce the environmental impacts caused by the company's activities. The focus is on creating environmentally friendly and resource-efficient processes within the company so that an economic and ecological balance is achieved.
Table of contents
goals and measures
The main goal of "green logistics" is to reduce a company's resource consumption and environmental pollution. This particularly affects exhaust emissions, water and soil pollution, and land use. The specific goals are as follows:
- Sustainability in supply chains through appropriate design of products and their packaging
- Appropriate use of materials, such as reusing containers or recycling packaging
- reduction of air, soil and water pollution
- reduction of noise pollution
- Tracking the carbon footprint of logistics companies to create reference values for further measures to promote sustainability and to monitor their results
The measures include methods and solutions that enable a comprehensive, integrative, standardized and cause-based ecological assessment of logistics. This affects the design of processes, structures and systems as well as facilities for transport, distribution and storage.
By the way: One of the most common methods used to calculate energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions is the international standard UNE-EN 16258:2013.
challenges
Obstacles to the implementation of "Green Logistics" can be found in many areas.
- Lack of infrastructure: Although local authorities have regulations in place, there is a lack of overarching agreements to implement measures to build new facilities
- Investment needs of companies: Due to fixed tariffs and tight margins, investments in infrastructure, more efficient equipment or process automation are not always possible
- Dependence on fossil fuels: Especially in the transport sector, dependence on fuel dominates, and there is still no adequate solution in sight
- Customer behavior: Logistics can only be as sustainable as the customer is willing to be (express delivery, permanent deliveries 24/7). Logistics costs are hardly borne by the customer, which reduces their relevance and thus the motivation for investments in sustainable measures
coping strategies
Inventory management:
- Good storage space management and optimal planning of picking tasks for less travel in the warehouse
- FIFO principle when working with perishable goods
- Use of robots or other automated systems to minimize damage and thus conserve resources
Environmental criteria and procurement: Sustainability can be taken into account when purchasing by assessing suppliers based on certain criteria. In addition to the properties of the products - ecological packaging, little plastic, recycled materials - this also includes the manufacturing process and the location of the supplier - the closer the better.
Fleet management: Transport has the highest CO2 footprint in the logistics chain. In addition to more ecologically sustainable transport routes, comprehensive systems should also be used that plan delivery routes, for example.
Reduction and recycling of waste: Separating waste and reducing paper in the company helps with this. The correct disposal of hazardous waste is particularly important.
Adapted warehouse: 4.0 logistics buildings are the focus and impress with the possibility of sustainable warehouse management. The main areas are the efficiency of energy and water consumption, the use of alternative energy sources, the choice of building materials and the handling of waste. If implemented accordingly, certification is provided - LEED or BREEAM seal.
