Moving Words – Green

Timothy Brady

“Plans to protect air and water, wilderness and wildlife are in fact plans to protect man.” – Stewart Udall

Going ‘Green’ requires researching your company’s current business procedures and finding practices and activities that can be adjusted or changed to leave a more environmentally-savvy footprint.

As a mover, you face the constant challenge of finding and landing quality shippers and corporate move opportunities. One way to have a leg up on your competition is to be ‘greener’ than other movers bidding on the same shipments.

Many shippers and especially corporate move contracts are very focused on reducing their carbon footprint. They’ve determined being proactive in this area can prepare them for the future, both in potential regulations and customers who look to do business with companies who are environmentally friendly. One area they’re scrutinizing is how they get their personnel relocated, plus their products to the markets they serve while reducing fuel and time. They’re looking for truckers and movers to haul their peoples’ belongings and products who also have a reduced energy footprint.

Now, not everything on the list of going green is financially viable for many movers. But one point about being green is that each item you can do has its benefits. So while converting all your trucks to electric or natural gas probably isn’t possible, here’s a list of smaller, less drastic things to look at – each with the potential of reducing your costs and your carbon footprint.

1. Maintenance and repair of your rolling stock. Keeping your tires properly inflated and vehicles’ axles and tires aligned; having your vehicles tuned properly, air and fuel filters clean and changed at regular intervals, having your Preventive Maintenance completed on time and under a specific schedule. In other words, keeping your vehicles and trailers in top running condition, as this contributes to lower fuel costs (less fuel used) and reduces OTR downtime.
2. Remember your office and shop are all a part of that “footprint,” Tune up your heating, ventilating and air-conditioning (HVAC) system with an annual maintenance contract. Regularly change (or clean if reusable) HVAC filters every month during peak cooling or heating seasons. Control direct sunlight through windows, depending on the season and local climate. During air conditioning season, block direct heat gain from the sun shining through glass on the East and especially West sides of your facility. Use fans to maintain a comfortable temperature, humidity and air movement. Plug leaks with weather stripping and caulking.
3. Think about reducing your electricity. This also saves money. Unplug appliances and machines when they aren’t in use, as even a machine or appliance that’s off but plugged in is using some amount of electrical current. Switch to either LED or florescent lighting. Use timer or motion-sensor switches in areas like storerooms, restrooms and other areas you’re in and out of in a short period of time.
4. Look into reusable or recyclable packing materials. In particular, managing reusable containers correctly can also generate huge savings versus purchasing onetime use cardboard. Just think of the cost of a single dishpack or even a book carton, then multiply that cost by the hundreds you use annually. The savings could be significant, while again reducing your carbon footprint.

Being green is about being aware of your surroundings and what’s using energy or increasing the use of it – then figuring out how to reduce the amount it uses or turning it off when it’s not needed. And beyond reducing your energy footprint, you save money. Green company, green wallet.   

 “Anything else you’re interested in is not going to happen if you can’t breathe the air and drink the water. Don’t sit this one out. Do something.” – Carl Sagan