Environmental concerns are a prevalent consideration for individuals in many aspects of their lives, and this can play a big part in deciding where they want to work too. Approximately 65% of respondents would take into account an employer’s environmental-friendliness, according to a 2020 study commissioned by intranet company Unily. With that in mind—and considering that percentage is only likely to rise as younger generations join the workforce—it would be advisable to begin implementing environmentally friendly initiatives and strategies across your business sooner rather than later.
There are plenty of adjustments that can be made to turn your warehouse greener, some of which could reduce costs too.
The cost of light bulbs
Fitting more eco-friendly lighting impacts your carbon footprint by reducing your electricity consumption. Not only that, choosing the right lighting can improve safety and even have an impact on workers’ mood, energy levels and productivity. This may require arranging new light fittings to accommodate the different hardware (so perhaps not quite as simple as changing a light bulb), but that initial expense should quickly be offset by your lower energy bills, especially considering that LEDs can use up to 75% less electricity than standard fluorescents, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
Modernize your machinery
If you’re in the market for a new forklift or trolley, consider electric alternatives to the conventional propane-fueled options. While the initial price-tag might seem daunting, bear in mind that as fuel prices continue to climb, you’re making an investment to reduce your carbon footprint, increase your desirability as an employer and—in the long-run—cut down on your fuel costs.
Not all machine modernizations need to be quite as drastic as buying a new forklift, however. Instead, you can purchase attachments for existing machinery to fulfill additional needs and reduce your expense in the process.
Revisit recycling
It’s very likely that you already have a recycling program in place across the company, but this doesn’t tend to be something that gets reviewed often, if at all. If it was initially implemented quite some time ago, there are probably a good number of changes that could be incorporated into it. A recycling program is a great opportunity for encouraging your employees to contribute to something they care about, asking them to get involved in initiatives and bringing new ideas about reducing waste.
Achieve ambient temperatures
Warehouses are notoriously tricky to keep regulated for temperature. Location, what they’re made from, how big the loading bay doors are, how high the ceilings are and what heating/cooling systems are installed will all contribute to the unique challenges for each individual warehouse. There are, however, many solutions to fit most circumstances now. Eco-friendly insulation and fan systems can be found to suit almost any environment. Skylights and solar paneling are becoming increasingly accessible and affordable. Even something as simple as sourcing low-emission paint can be another step toward regulating warehouse temperatures and cutting down your carbon footprint by reducing the reliance on costly heating and cooling solutions.
If you’re not sure where to begin, seek out an eco-expert to provide a consultation and give you an idea of what you could do to turn your warehouse green.
