In today’s economy, sustainable business practices are no longer a “nice to have” but a “must-have” for several reasons. Customers want to know that the businesses they patronize are helping (or not hurting) the environment. Specific government regulations are many compelling industries to reduce their carbon footprints drastically. Plus, companies know that adopting sustainable practices can save money and reduce inefficiencies.
One of the easiest ways to reduce your company’s carbon footprint is partnering with a third-party logistics (3PL) provider like Taylored Fulfillment Services. Here are three steps your 3PL partner can take that can help you make your entire supply chain—including production, transportation, warehousing—more sustainable.
Step 1: Measure Your Current Carbon Footprint
One of the main ways 3PL partners can help your company is by first measuring and assessing your current operations. After all, you need to know where you’re at before you figure out how to improve.
An experienced 3PL provider can work with you to develop a credible carbon impact analysis that preferably follows the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, the most widely recognized international tool that measures greenhouse gas emissions. Your 3PL partner can then use this information to develop insightful recommendations on the best redesign, reengineer, and optimize current processes to create a more sustainable supply chain.
Step 2: Recommend and Implement Sustainable Strategies
With accurate carbon emission data on hand, your 3PL provider can make recommendations to help you put new processes in place and optimize current practices at each part of the supply chain, including:
- Transportation: Strategies for making transportation more efficient could include shifting to more minor carbon-intensive transportation modes like rail, ocean, or hybrid vehicles; relocating warehousing to be closer to customers; or bringing value-added services (such as product inspection, assembly, and packaging) to a single location.
- Packaging: Your 3PL provider can help identify the most efficient packaging design and materials to reduce waste. They can also show you how to incorporate packaging materials made from recyclable or sustainably sourced materials.
- Warehousing: Energy-efficient lighting, LED technology, office occupancy sensors, on-site recycling programs, and programmable heating and cooling systems are all elements of sustainable warehousing that your logistics partner could recommend.
Step 3: Look Beyond the Supply Chain
Your 3PL partner can also help you mitigate your company’s environmental impact in several ways beyond the supply chain. For example, they can help you reduce overall paper consumption by incorporating paperless systems for invoices, billing, customs documents, and more.
They can also help you set up efficient reverse logistics operations, including earth-friendly practices for recycling, refurbishing, or disposing of products returned to your warehouse as damaged or outdated. This can significantly reduce your total carbon footprint.
The Value of the Right Partner
While the idea of creating a more sustainable supply chain may seem overwhelming for some, having a knowledgeable and experienced logistics partner like Taylored Fulfillment Services to help with the process can make it manageable.
As you search for a 3PL partner, keep these questions in mind:
- Does the provider value sustainability and, in turn, practice what it preaches?
- Does it issue an annual company sustainability report?
- Does it have access to the latest technology and resources to help create a more sustainable supply chain?
- Does it have a proven track record when it comes to assisting clients with similar challenges?
Working with the right logistics partner and taking steps toward supply chain sustainability will help you save money, increase efficiency, and create a healthier planet for everyone.
Taylored Fulfillment Services is a fully integrated third-party logistics provider specializing in wholesale, retail, and direct-to-consumer unit fulfillment. Established in 1992 and headquartered in Iselin, New Jersey, they operate 1.5 million square feet of warehouse and distribution space strategically located near the nation’s busiest ports, including Los Angeles, Long Beach, and New York. Since its humble beginnings in 1992, Taylored Fulfillment Services has become a national leader in distribution, fulfillment, and warehousing.