Moving Words – Green Footprint
Timothy Brady
“The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak.” – Hans Hofmann
‘Going Green’ requires researching your company’s current business practices and finding those practices and activities which can be adjusted or changed to leave a more environmentally-savvy footprint.
As a moving and/or relocation company, you face the constant challenge of finding and landing quality hauling opportunities. One way to have a leg up on your competition is to be ‘greener’ than other movers bidding on the same shipments.
Many corporations looking to relocate their employees 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 environmentally friendly companies. One area they’re scrutinizing is how they get their products to the market or how their employees are relocated, reducing fuel and time. They’re looking for movers to haul employees’ belongings who also have a reduced energy footprint.
Now, not everything on the list of going green is financially viable for many moving companies. But one point about being green is that each activity 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.
- 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 ‘on the road’ downtime.
- 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 South and West sides of your facility. Use fans to maintain a comfortable temperature, humidity, and air movement. Plug leaks with weather stripping and caulking.
- 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 fluorescent 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.
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.
“We never know the worth of water till the well is dry.” – Thomas Fuller
