Greening Your Warehouse: It May be Easier than You Think

Image credit: Steve Snodgrass

Sustainable business practices are all the rage these days. And although it may seem like an un-needed hassle to implement “green” practices at your delivery company’s warehouse, it’s not. In fact, embracing a few sustainable policies may, in fact, help you run your warehouse more efficiently and help your business save money. Here are just a few simple sustainable suggestions:

Layout counts:

Make sure you use every part of your facility effectively and that assets and resources are in a place that makes sense (all resources to do one type of job are all in one place; materials aren’t spread out across a facility in a way that doesn’t make sense.)

Recycle and reuse: 

The following are a few items that can typically be reused in warehouses:

Cardboard: Try to reuse incoming boxes.

Packaging: Try to reuse all the packaging you receive (such as bubble wrap). Also: consider eco-friendly packaging.

Reduce: 

Only light the part of the warehouse that is in use on any given business day. Also: use motion sensors to help lights turn on and off, and make sure everything is turned off before you lock up at night.

Clean green: 

Keep everything organized and clean with eco-friendly products. For example, you can use inexpensive, white distilled vinegar mixed with water to clean and disinfect almost anything.

Make it a group effort: 

Ask your employees to be enthusiastic about sustainable practices. Remind them that the more money you save on energy, the better off the company is.

-Source: How Stuff Works

Want to take sustainability a step further? Consider getting your company a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating and certification. The UPS blog recently listed a few reasons why businesses should consider securing the well-known certification and rating:

• LEED ratings and certifications can help a company owner identify opportunities to increase efficiency in her business’ operations, or make facility improvements.
• What if you are already performing green practices, but don’t know it? If you are, then you are missing out on an important opportunity to market your company’s sustainable aspects. Also, according to the blog: “You may be able to apply credit for these activities to green initiatives being driven by your customers, your company, or regulatory bodies. There are increasing levels of expectation around sustainability and you may be able to contribute to stakeholder goals simply by being a good operator.” – UPS Blog