Logistics is an industry in which carbon emissions are particularly high and making logistics more sustainable is a hot topic. In this blog we look at ways to create a more eco-friendly supply chain.
Check your own ESG credentials
Your customers are becoming increasingly aware of partnering with brands who take their environmental obligations seriously. They want to see proof of your commitment to sustainability.
Make sure your website includes published information about your ESG efforts, and particularly how you address: waste, carbon emissions, and workplace safety.
In logistics, it’s often the packaging that causes a significant amount of waste. But there are lots of options out there for recyclable packaging these days, or even packaging made from seaweed. Investing in these newer developments will reduce reliance on plastics in your packaging.
You might consider becoming ISO accredited as an objective way to prove your commitment. An ISO 14001 accreditation demonstrates immediately that you adhere to strict environmental standards.
Educate your customers
Once your goods have left the warehouse, it’s often out of your control to manage the packaging at the other end. Give your customers the best chance to recycle the packaging by including clear labelling on the packaging, and instructions in your correspondence, so they know exactly which material can be recycled and how.
Review your contracts
You may consider adding environmentally-friendly clauses to your contracts, such as: environmental key performance indicators, or minimum standards of environmental compliance.
The Chancery Lane Project has numerous ready-made, climate-aligned clauses that you can insert into your contracts. Have a look at these Net Zero clauses, or clauses for requirements for renewable energy for example.
Use technology wisely
Most logistics companies are embracing new technology to make their operations more sustainable. You probably already have a fleet of EVs and route optimisation software. While these may seem like run-of-the-mill technologies to you, make sure that your customers are aware of your efforts here. Route optimisation software can significantly reduce your carbon emissions, and your customers are unlikely to know that unless you tell them.
At SGS we’ve invested in hybrid vehicles for our managers, and whenever we need to use a vehicle at a client’s premises we take an EV.
Some suppliers deploy methods for paperless working to reduce waste. One of the ways we do that as a business is to use an online daily occurrence book. Our security officers use MiSentinel to update the log book, which not only means that our clients store less paper, but also means all entries are legible.
We’ve replaced plastic badges with electronic ID badges to reduce waste. Not only does that minimise our plastic use, but we don’t expend resources and energy on ink and printing.
What we do at SGS
At SGS, we have all our Corporate Social Responsibility information published on our website We invest in green initiatives and we invest in technology to reduce paper consumption and waste. If you choose to partner with us for security services, we suggest ways to make our operations as effective and efficient as possible for you.
Please get in touch if you’d like to learn more.
