Light touch is right move
December 2nd 2009 Being green is a great selling point and 3PLs running environmentally sound operations and shouting it from the rooftops are winning business as a result, says Roger Williams, chief executive of UKWA
It is now widely accepted by all but a few remaining sceptics, that the earth is getting warmer as a result of human emissions of greenhouse gases such as water vapour, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and ozone.
To stabilise the atmosphere, we are told that a deep reduction of these emissions is required which is why, in an attempt to do their bit, the UK and other EU countries have committed to a 60% reduction in carbon emissions by 2050.
As individuals there seems little that we can do that will affect in any meaningful way the overall challenge to reduce carbon emissions, but the warehousing and logistics industries can make a significant contribution to the nation’s effort. And it needn’t involve a significant investment.
For example, warehouse lighting upgrades do not have to be expensive. Indeed, some of the most successful solutions are the simplest and often provide the quickest return on investment. And it is not always necessary to install new lighting as often upgrading components in existing fittings provides excellent savings with the minimum of investment.
Meanwhile, heating and hot water combined accounts for half of an average company’s annual energy bill. Regular servicing of gas and oil fired boilers removes the soot and ash that can reduce the efficiency of heat transfer within the boiler and increases the efficiency by as much as 15-20%. Replacing boilers with modern efficient models can save 35% when compared to boilers that are 10 years or older.
When it comes to heating offices, heat pumps, which (in simple terms) take low grade energy from the external ambient air and transfer it as high grade heat into a building, can significantly reduce yearly maintenance costs when compared to traditional boilers and reduce carbon emissions by up to 60%. It is also worth considering that some equipment found within any warehouse facility or offices will function without any loss of performance with a reduced voltage supply. Indeed, one of UKWA’s member companies estimates that it has saved between 5-10% of its energy consumption by introducing voltage optimisation equipment.
The Carbon Trust provides check lists and aide-memoire to guide companies of all sizes through various energy reducing processes. These checks are extremely useful in that they identify problem areas and flag up potential solutions. Of course, some of the solutions to certain problems will require capital expenditure, and may turn you cold at the thought of extra investment at times like this.
Understandably in the current economic climate, budget constraints are one of the perceived barriers preventing an energy efficiency drive and many industry professionals are convinced that going green comes at a high price.
Admittedly a large scale equipment overhaul can cost hundreds of thousands of pounds, but some eco-friendly products are available for relatively small amounts and their pay back time can be very short. Furthermore, the Carbon Trust offers interest free loans - in many cases, with repayment periods much longer than the payback period of the investment. Going forward the greening of supply chains and the 3PL industry is likely to be one of the key challenges facing the sector.
If anything, green issues have advanced even further up the agenda during the recession and it would appear that modern 3PLs simply have to embrace environmental concerns. But being green is a great selling point and those 3PLs that are running environmentally sound operations are shouting it from the rooftops – and winning business as a result. More articles from United Kingdom Warehousing Association (UKWA): | 
