Going green is what everyone is talking about and considering. The world is discussing ways in which we can help preserve our environment and this is an initiative you can join. No matter how small, your actions can make a true difference. Incorporating certain changes not only benefits the environment around you but benefits your company as well. You can save on energy-related costs such as electricity, heat and water bills. Your company will most likely be more favorable too as consumers are becoming more conscious of the environment and are drawn to companies that do the same.
Here are some ways your warehouse can make a difference:
Go paperless
As ecommerce businesses we do exceptionally well selling electronically. We can take that same principle and apply it when running our businesses as well. You can consider starting to adapt systems that use paperless order management. This system allows customers the option to house everything via online account as opposed to having it on paper. You can also work with vendors and request to receive invoices and credits digitally instead of receiving them via fax or snail mail. Think about investing in RFID technology too to eliminate the need for paper pick lists or receiving documents. Make sure you do your best to keep paper printouts to a minimum. This becomes an added bonus too in that storing data electronically makes it easier to organize your filing system and keep records.
There are systems that allow manufacturers to go paperless on assembly lines. With these systems, you use visual work instructions to boost productivity. It also saves cost and enables better accuracy and real-time feedback and changes.
Make use of energy-saving technology
Choose LED or high-efficiency fluorescent lighting. It creates better lighting and saves money when it comes to electrical costs. If possible, you can also look into installing solar power panels. Skylights also help reduce cost by decreasing the need of man-made lighting utilized during the day. Another option is making use of motion sensors to control lighting so lights will automatically be shut off when no one is using that specific area.
When it comes to heat, ensure that your walls are insulated properly to avoid losing heat. Check as well that your warehouse doors and windows are insulated so you don’t lose heat through the cracks.
For water, install water-efficient water tanks. Put your water heater close to hot water taps and add low-flow valves to all taps to reduce wasting water.
Reuse and Recycle
Warehouses can recycle packing materials. This could be from anything like cardboards to plastic or paper materials. Instead of throwing such away, you can always send them to recycling facilities. In your own working environment you can set up sortable bins near places like at packing, receiving, returns stations and even where employees have their break to make sure that anything recyclable gets recycled.
Another option would be to reuse the packing materials. So items like wooden pallets, plastic bins and other packaging materials can be used all over again. The added benefit to this is that you save money when it comes to buying new packing supplies.
Warehouse Building
If looking to build a new warehouse, first consider where the location will be. The time it takes for your employees to travel to your warehouse and back can play a very major part in gas emissions.
Another opportunity presents itself in reusing and remodelling vacant buildings. Recycling a building reduces construction costs. When starting to build, choose eco-friendly building materials in the construction of your warehouse. You can go for materials such as recycled metal, dimension stone, reclaimed lumber and bamboo.
Read more on how else you can make improvements to your work environment by making use of these Safe, Easier, Faster 7 Tips to Optimise Ergonomics in the Warehouse!