More than Just the Warm Fuzzies: Going Green Cuts Costs, Boosts Profits

By Roy Thacker

In the June edition of Road Today, I sent out a call to arms for transportation industry professionals to reduce the mammoth-sized carbon footprint that our sector continues to leave on the planet. In addition to the growing need for people everywhere to do their part to slow the effect our polluting ways are having on the environment, consumer habits are changing: Eating and buying locally is becoming popular among a population that is more and more sensitive to the impact their purchasing decisions can have. This evolution is bound to change the way the transportation industry operates and it is in our best interest to make sure we have a seat at the table in the new environmental economy.

If you look around, there are many examples of industry leaders who are already changing the way they do business. In addition to making a difference, jumping on the green bandwagon differentiates them from the competition and in many cases has a positive impact on their bottom line.

Lakeside Logistics is a great example of a company that is set on making a difference, promising as part of their Vision Green Initiative to reduce their “carbon impact” and to “offset what (they) cannot yet eliminate.”

…and they mean business. In addition to reducing their own carbon footprint, the company is committed to encouraging its customers and carriers to do the same: Lakeside Logistics maintains preferred partnerships with carriers who are committed to reducing their emissions. Carriers are also encouraged to join the Smartway Transport Partnership, a “voluntary partnership between various freight industry sectors and the EPA” that provides incentives for fuel efficiency and reductions in greenhouse gasses (http://www.epa.gov/smartway/ ). They also partner with Zerofootprint, a company that helps organizations to quantify their greenhouse gas emissions throughout the supply chain, and provides services that help them to find ways to reduce these emissions (http://www.zerofootprint.net/ ).

Jeff Moore, Managing Director of Lakeside Logistics explains that ‘greening’ their company has provided far more than just that ‘warm fuzzy’ feeling that comes from knowing you’ve done the right thing: “In the past 16 months we have clearly quantified that our committment to the environment was the ‘tipping point’ in the decision to employ Lakeside on two major programs we pitched to new clients. ROI is sometimes tough to measure in these situations but our Vision Green program is clearly helping us to grow our business!”

Clearly, there is vast potential in all of this ‘greening’ business to not only make a difference but to increase the efficiency of your operations, improve your brand, and increase your profits. Whether you are ready to green your company from the ground up or are simply considering the purchase of a more fuel-efficient truck, the message with regard to transportation and the environment is becoming crystal clear: It’s time to get on board.

Not sure where to start? Here are a few ways to start greening your business:

• Participate in the tire recycling program in your province.
• Invest in trucks with better fuel-efficiency: Not only can this reduce emissions but it can have a tremendous impact on reducing operating costs
• Investigate programs designed to reduce fuel consumption by teaching drivers about things like progressive shifting, engine speed optimization, idle reduction, smoother braking and acceleration, anticipatory driving, speed control and optimal gearing.
• Look at other ways to make your trucks more aerodynamic (and fuel efficient), by incorporating elements like low-drag tires, as well as aerodynamic cabs and trailers.
• Consider other energy-saving technologies that include systems to reduce unnecessary engine idling by using auxiliary power units that provide electricity to the cab, direct-fired heaters and coolant systems that provide temperature control, and programmable automatic engine shut-off systems.
• Streamline your operations to get the most out of your trucks and use technologies like load matching to reduce the number of trucks that come back empty