With more businesses moving online and there being an increasing demand both nationally and internationally for supply and home deliveries, it is important to adjust delivery processes and find ways to be more sustainable. In this article, we will discuss potential methods you may find useful in relation to your deliveries.
Encouraging sustainability in such an essential service means your business will be on its way to becoming more environmentally-friendly and able to receive certain benefits. For example, attracting a wider range of customers. This is because there is a level of sustainability and awareness that may set your business apart from competitors.
Alternative packaging:
Environmentally-friendly packaging is becoming more widely available and is a great option when considering a greener delivery service. There are both sustainable and biodegradable materials that can be used when packing.
Green packaging options include: eco-friendly adhesive paper tape and recyclable cardboard. Plant-based plastics including biodegradable packing peanuts made from organic matter such as wheat fibres. This plastic variety is a great replacement option that is made of natural substances, including bamboo or wood pulp, that have a bunch of renewable qualities.
Additionally, packing small items in needless extra packaging is a problem but is an easy fix. Simply try to reduce the amount of packaging and choose to use a sustainable alternative- this will be sure to help decrease your environmental impact.
Green delivery times:
Many issues lie with the amount of transport emissions that are created in turn with delivering. While demand is constantly on the rise, it is important to limit unnecessary driving to prevent a rate of high emissions. When ordering online, the client or customer can choose to receive their parcel during a ‘green’ time slot. These slots mean drivers that are delivering locally will be able to deliver to you within the same time frame. This limits the excess driving that is done from driving back and forth unnecessarily.
Delivery driver training:
When transporting via road, drivers should be well versed in methods of fuel conservation and particular driving techniques to try to be as environmentally-friendly as possible. To maintain fuel efficiency, key driving tips include: driving smoothly and anticipating the road conditions and to avoid excessive speed which is likely to increase the amount of fuel usage.
Improve efficiency of warehouses:
Improving the general efficiency within your warehouses will equal smoother operations and processes. This will both benefit your business economically and encourage sustainability.
Some things you can do include: managing and improving energy efficiency, installing thermal or high-speed doors which can help keep your warehouse warm, recycling and reusing materials and packaging.
Use of third party logistics companies:
Using a third party logistics company for your delivery service can be a great option to simplify business processes as well as encouraging sustainability. A third party logistics company aids with inventory management and shipping co-ordination so deliveries can be stored securely and shipped within the expected time frames. Supply chain management is simplified which means your business can keep up with demand and save costs, all increasing their sustainability. This is through the lack of excess transport and a good standard of warehouse storage.
There are many methods you can adopt in your business to improve your sustainability when delivering or using a delivery service. Being more sustainable and environmentally aware as a company will be particularly beneficial, bringing about many opportunities and enhancing your position in the industry.
