Nowadays, sustainability is not just a trend that people want to follow; it has become an expectation. Sustainable thinking has become an integral part of our daily lives, and everyone is striving to meet these standards. In the fields of transport, warehousing, and logistics, many companies have already adopted sustainable solutions and are continuously working on the development of their businesses.
We often hear about the measures being taken for environmental protection, but do we truly understand why sustainability is SO important in the industry?
Why is it important for us to pay attention to our environment?
In recent years, the environmental impacts of the transportation industry have significantly worsened, posing numerous challenges for future sustainability, largely driven by the transportation sector itself. With the growth of the global population and economic development, the demand for transportation has continually increased. The use of private cars has become more widespread, leading to increased traffic and a direct contribution to rising emissions. At the same time, the number of delivery vehicles used in commerce has also risen. Just think about it: the more people there are, the more we need—food, clothing, and even cars, as it’s not uncommon for a household to have more than one vehicle.
Fossil fuels, such as gasoline and diesel, continue to play a dominant role, contributing to the emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and other air pollutants. The rapid decline in environmental quality has been noticeable since the late 1990s, coinciding with massive urbanization and the rapid expansion of the global automotive industry.
The Importance of Sustainability in the Logistics Industry
As mentioned earlier, environmental protection in logistics is just as crucial as transporting goods from one place to another. In today’s world, logistics is as essential as our daily consumption (fuel, food, etc.). However, the extensive shipping activities result in significant carbon dioxide emissions, and with every delivery, we harm our environment.
What is truly concerning is that carbon dioxide (CO2) levels have never been as high as they are in recent years. For nearly 6,000 years, human civilization maintained CO2 levels around 280 parts per million (ppm), but today, this level is well above 420 ppm. This is more than double what it was before the Industrial Revolution in the 19th century. According to Rick Spinrad, the administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the continuous annual increase is a “direct consequence of human activities.” This primarily refers to the fossil fuels burned in transportation and electricity generation, but it also includes contributions from cement production, deforestation, and agriculture. Undoubtedly, one of the greatest environmental issues of our time is greenhouse gases that surround the Earth, trapping the sun’s heat and leading to global warming. Unfortunately, it is not feasible to completely halt the operations of factories and plants that emit pollutants. However, we can strive to assist our planet wherever possible and continue our production using environmentally friendly solutions.
With the growth of the human population, not only has CO2 emissions increased, making the greenhouse effect more dangerous, but the per capita ecological footprint has also risen. The ecological footprint measures how much environmental resources our lifestyle requires. It assesses the area needed from land and marine surfaces to sustain ourselves and absorb the waste we generate, as well as the impact on the natural environment. This value can be calculated for individuals, groups, regions, countries, or businesses.
The main components of ecological footprints—such as food footprint, urban footprint, forest footprint, and carbon footprint—all contribute to measuring environmental impacts. While the carbon footprint focuses on the emission of greenhouse gases, the ecological footprint provides a more comprehensive view of resource use and waste production. Sustainability plays a crucial role in logistics, as conscious planning and actions allow us to minimize our environmental footprint while supporting economic growth. Reducing the rapidly increasing carbon dioxide emissions is one of the greatest challenges for us and other companies operating in the logistics industry.
How can we reduce CO2 emissions?
One effective approach is by utilizing fuel-efficient vehicles and alternative fuels. With the increasing emphasis on sustainability, three fuel technologies have emerged as prominent options: hydrogen, electricity, and biofuels. The sustainability of these three technologies greatly depends on production methods, the raw materials used, and the renewable energy sources available in a given country. The most sustainable solutions for future mobility will likely arise from a combination of these technologies, taking into account various usage needs and environmental impacts.
To this day, many people still oppose the use of biofuels due to concerns about their engines, but there are several advantages to using such fuels. Biodiesel, particularly in its esterified form, such as rapeseed methyl ester, is well-suited for operating modern diesel engines. Tests have shown that blends of up to 7-10% biodiesel do not result in significant performance loss, and they can positively influence the lifespan of the engines as well. However, it is essential to note that the direct use of cooking oils is not recommended, as these need to be properly processed beforehand. The use of biodiesel can also reduce exhaust soot levels, which is beneficial from an environmental perspective. Consulting with a professional is definitely advisable to achieve the best results.
How to Make Eco-Friendly Decisions in Logistics?
One effective solution is organizing circular freight routes, which efficiently minimize empty runs and focus on optimal resource utilization. What does a circular freight route look like? The transport vehicle follows a circular route, picking up or dropping off new goods at each stop, thus reducing unnecessary kilometers. This approach results in significant fuel savings, as it means fewer empty trips, which reduces costs and environmental impact. Fewer empty runs lead to lower carbon dioxide emissions, making circular routes an environmentally friendly alternative.
Reusable pallets play a key role in the sustainability of logistics processes. Made from durable materials such as plastic, metal, or compressed wood, they allow for a long lifespan and multiple uses. These pallets are not only advantageous due to their longevity but also by reducing the demand for single-use wooden pallets, thereby minimizing deforestation. In addition to reducing waste, they are easily cleaned and sterilized, which is essential for the food and pharmaceutical industries. Their standardized sizes facilitate easy integration into global supply chains, optimizing storage and transportation processes. Although their initial costs may be higher, they yield significant savings in the long run and can be repaired if damaged.
The sustainability of returnable packaging lies in its similarity to reusable pallets, as mentioned in the previous paragraph. This method requires less single-use packaging material and leads to cost savings in the long term, as companies can reuse the packaging. Additionally, returnable packaging contributes to the establishment of a circular economy, where materials are continuously reused, thus reducing the need to exploit resources. Furthermore, sustainable packaging practices can enhance a company’s reputation, especially among environmentally conscious consumers.
Route optimization plays a crucial role in reducing the environmental impact of logistics processes while increasing efficiency. The combined use of Big Data and artificial intelligence (AI) enables the identification of optimal routes based on real-time traffic, weather, and historical data. GPS-based tracking systems continuously monitor the vehicles’ positions, ensuring a flexible and quick response to traffic issues. Optimization algorithms, such as Dijkstra’s algorithm, help in finding the best routes. By choosing shorter and less congested paths, we can reduce fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions, thus contributing to more sustainable transportation practices in logistics.
To ensure everything is professionally organized and efficiently managed, we must be resource-efficient. What does this mean? Resource efficiency means making the best use of available resources—such as time, money, energy, and materials. The goal is to minimize waste and maximize results, thereby reducing operational costs.
Sustainability is beneficial not only for the environment but also for your costs!
Why is it a good investment to adopt energy-efficient technologies and fuel-efficient vehicles? Sustainable operations not only bring financial advantages but also help comply with increasingly stringent environmental regulations, thereby reducing the risk of fines.
Moreover, an environmentally conscious image can enhance customer loyalty and improve brand reputation. It is the responsibility of leaders to create a sustainable corporate culture that engages employees with green initiatives. Implementing green practices can also foster innovation, helping to enhance market competitiveness through the introduction of new technologies.
INCON-LOGISTIC Ltd. is committed to a sustainable future, and we are doing our utmost to support the preservation of the Earth with environmentally friendly technologies! Let your company be at the forefront of sustainability! Join us in building a green future and POST A PICTURE OF HOW YOU ARE HELPING TO PRESERVE THE EARTH! Use the hashtags #inconsustainablelogistic and #inconfenntarthatólogisztika!