Sustainable Solutions for SCM

12. Existing recycling infrastructure – when comparing the different alternatives, the existing infrastructure, which makes the recycling possible, must be considered. The recycling markings on the package are misleading if there is no recycling system for the material. A waste disposal system IS NOT a recycling system. 5.4.8 Sustainable distribution centres Incorporating sustainability initiatives into warehouses and distribution centres (DCs), design is proving to be a win-win proposition. It mitigates harmful effects on the environment, encourages worker safety and comfort, while winning the respect of your customers and community. However, from a more critical business perspective, it also lowers operating costs, ultimately improving a company’s financial performance. Even older trends are being given a fresh look, incorporating newer technologies and innovative techniques. Let’s examine how your traditional warehouse environment can be developed so as to help build sustainable strategies that benefit business, customers and the planet. Though we can’t possibly mention them all, what follows are seven of the more popular trends gaining momentum in the sustainable design of warehouses and DCs [1]: 1. Location, location, location The primary energy use in a DC is actually not the building itself but rather the transportation that services that building. With this in mind, distribution centres should be located where it makes sense primarily in terms of the logistics model. That is the greatest impact on sustainability. Companies are turning to network studies to investigate moving their distribution facilities closer to inbound ports or closer to customers to save local transportation energy consumption – and subsequently reduce environmental emissions. The latest modelling tools literally calculate a company’s supply chain carbon footprint for its plants, its warehouses and its different modes of transportation. This is then factored into the decision-making process for locating DCs in an optimised, more energy-efficient distribution network. To make an even bigger dent in the costs and your carbon footprint, experts suggest optimising truck capacity and developing more efficient transportation routes. 2. Better lighting Sustainability in lighting has always been one of the most popular initiatives; that’s because the percentage of energy attributed to lighting a facility is quite high. It typically represents about 30 percent of the energy use in a DC. One of the more popular lighting strategies is ‘daylighting.’ Just recently at Coca-Cola, daylight tubes were integrated well as clearstory glass to bring light into the distribution centre. Light fixtures with daylighting sensors were installed in this facility so that the building can often operate without any artificial lighting. There was also an increase in employee productivity and attendance when working in an environment with natural light. Further improvement can be achieved by complementing artificial lighting with occupancy sensors. Artificial lighting can be tuned off in parts of the warehouse that are

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