Market research by Global Market Insights indicates that the Green Logistics market was valued at USD 1.16 trillion in 2023 and is expected to grow at more than 9.5% CAGR during the forecast period of 2024 to 2032. As environmental laws are passed, many organizations and businesses are forced to adopt sustainable logistics management.
Therefore, you must analyze its sustainable logistic practices while finding an eco-friendly 3PL for your brand. Hence, in this guide, we will examine the key sustainable logistic practices you can use to check what your 3PL consists of.
How To Find The Best Eco-Friendly 3PL For Your Brand?
To discover an eco-friendly 3PL for your brand, you require a checklist of what they could contribute. Based on our research on sustainable logistics, we have detailed the best eco-friendly 3PL techniques the providers can have. Let’s discuss each in detail.
1. Focus On Reduce Carbon Footprint
How is carbon footprint affected in 3PL activities? Generally, greenhouses use gases such as methane and carbon dioxide, forming a carbon footprint. Therefore, when these gases are released, they impact the 3PL environment and the related process.
Hence, 3Pl can take measures to reduce carbon footprints. Here’s how the process of reducing carbon footprint can work:
- Practice the use of optimized routes for reduced fuel consumption and lower emissions.
- Utilize eco-vehicles like electric or hybrid fleets to reduce greenhouse gases.
- Execute energy-efficient techniques in warehouses with renewable energy.
- Consolidate shipments to minimize trips and save fuel.
- Promote recycling through reverse logistics and reuse of materials.
- Track emissions using carbon monitoring tools for better management.
- Partner with green firms to align with sustainable practices.
2. Use Eco-Friendly Transports
You can quickly shift to eco-friendly transport. Moreover, there are also eco-friendly and alternative fuel sources. Here are some quick examples:
- Use liquified natural gas, which helps reduce carbon footprint.
- Electric vehicles are a sustainable option for transportation.
- Reduce the number of times transportation, which helps to reduce overall carbon footprint.
- Use transportation to send goods at maximum capacity.
3. Use Carbon-Neutral Shipping
Carbon-neutral shipping indicates that measures are taken to eliminate carbon emissions or remove emissions produced by shipping.
Therefore, gas-powered vehicles can drive, fly, and ship products worldwide. Reducing greenhouse gases helps to reduce overall global warming and overcome climate change.
4. Provide Environment-Friendly Packing
The 3PL needs to provide eco-friendly packaging. By doing so, they promote sustainability and help to reduce wastage. Moreover, a customer would discard the package they received, but if the packaging is compostable and biodegradable, it helps decompose it effectively.
Therefore, you can ask your 3PL how they handle eco-friendly packaging to maintain sustainable logistics. Here are some eco-friendly packing methods your 3PL can adapt to:
- Use biodegradable materials to ensure easy decomposition.
- Incorporate recycled content like paper or plastic to reduce waste.
- Switch to minimal packaging to avoid excess material usage.
- Adopt reusable options such as crates or containers.
- Implement paper-based alternatives like kraft paper instead of foam.
- Promote water-based inks for eco-friendly labeling.
- Encourage sustainable adhesives like recyclable tapes.
5. Use Less Or Cut Out Excess Packaging.
When working in shipping and packaging activities, there are instances when you need to use many materials and pack the products to reach the final destination. On the other hand, there are also instances where much packing or pampering is not required.
For example, if a specific carton shipment doesn’t need much security, you can request your 3PL to reduce the dunnage they use. It’s also essential that the products are not damaged and that sufficient security is given.
Another example is using shippable packaging, such as a single branded box. You can pack all products into a single box, label, and ship. Moreover, you can remove other boxes or cartons and cut out overpacks.
6. Choose Green Packing Materials
Green packing materials are eco-friendly and sustainable choices. Moreover, they are earth-conscious choices and can be used as marketing material to attract new customers. Here are some green packing materials you can check whether your 3PL can use:
- Compostable packaging made from plant-based materials.
- Recycled cardboard for boxes and containers.
- Biodegradable packing peanuts as a sustainable alternative.
- Kraft paper for wrapping and cushioning items.
- Reusable fabric bags for versatile packaging needs.
- Mushroom-based packaging is an innovative biodegradable option.
- Water-soluble pouches for minimal environmental impact.
7. Reduced Paperwork In Warehouses
When handling warehouses, there can be many paperwork and documents. However, you can check whether your 3PL can adapt to a paperless warehouse environment. To do so, an automated paperless technology must be integrated with the warehouse operations.
Therefore, it gives many benefits besides meeting sustainability goals in your business operations. They are listed below:
- Streamline processes with digital systems for faster operations.
- Reduce paper waste, contributing to environmental sustainability.
- Improve data accuracy by eliminating manual entry errors.
- Enhance accessibility with cloud-based document storage.
- Save costs on printing, storage, and disposal of paper.
- Boost efficiency with automated workflows and real-time tracking.
- Strengthen security with encrypted digital records.
Finding The Best 3PL For An Eco-Friendly Brand
You can find the ideal eco-friendly 3PL for your brand by analyzing whether the 3PL provider practices some of the tactics mentioned above. If they do so, they are adopting sustainable logistics and eco-friendly options.
Also, you can consider the points mentioned above and discuss with the 3PL whether they can adopt your desired practices. Both parties can discuss and formulate a strategic plan to practice sustainable logistics.
Tip: You can use 3PeeL as your matchmaker and find a reliable 3PL provider that follows eco-friendly practices.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, finding the best 3PL that follows sustainable logistic practices can be challenging. But you can use our checklist of critical practices to find a perfect partner who does.
A sustainable logistic partner can adopt many strategies, such as using carbon-neutral shipping or eco-friendly shipping, reducing its carbon footprint, using eco-friendly gases, and more.
Moreover, if you want assistance finding the ideal 3PL partner who follows sustainable logistics, you can use 3PeeL as your matchmaker. Based on your unique requirements, we will match you with the perfect 3PL partner.
We hope this guide helped you understand how to find the ideal sustainable logistics partner.
