Trying to be more “green” with your logistics? How your freight is planned, routed and moved can have a meaningful impact on both operating costs and environmental performance.
But the good news? Building a more sustainable transportation strategy doesn’t mean you need a complete overhaul of your supply chain.
Small, strategic changes to the way freight is planned and managed can help reduce unnecessary miles, improve efficiency and lower emissions while still meeting customer expectations. The following ways are simple steps you can use to help support a greener supply chain:
1. Consolidate Shipments When Possible
One of the simplest ways to reduce the environmental impact of transportation is to move more freight with fewer trucks.
When shipments are planned independently, companies can end up sending multiple partially filled trucks to similar destinations when those loads could potentially be consolidated.
Combining shipments can reduce the number of vehicles needed, lower total miles traveled and improve trailer utilization.
Of course, consolidation isn’t practical for every shipment. Delivery requirements, product characteristics, customer commitments and timing all need to be considered. But when the opportunity exists, better shipment planning can make a noticeable difference.
2. Reduce Empty Miles
A truck traveling without a load still uses fuel and creates emissions. Empty miles are an unavoidable part of transportation, but better planning and carrier management can help reduce them.
Understanding where freight is moving, when capacity is needed and where trucks will be after completing a delivery can help transportation teams identify opportunities to match outbound and return freight.
Reducing empty miles means carriers can spend more of their time hauling freight instead of traveling without it. That can improve efficiency for both the carrier and the shipper.
3. Choose the Right Mode for the Shipment
Every shipment doesn’t need to move the same way.
Depending on the freight, distance, timing and service requirements, shippers may have opportunities to evaluate different transportation modes, including truckload, less-than-truckload, intermodal or other options.
The most sustainable option will vary from shipment to shipment. A transportation strategy should consider the entire picture, including transit time, service requirements, cost and environmental impact.
Making mode selection part of the planning process can help companies find opportunities to move freight more efficiently.
4. Improve Route Planning
The shortest route isn’t always the best route, but unnecessary miles can add up quickly.
Transportation teams can use routing and planning tools to evaluate mileage, delivery sequences, pickup and delivery locations, and other factors that influence how efficiently freight moves.
Better routing can help reduce unnecessary travel while also improving delivery performance. For companies managing a large number of shipments, even small improvements across hundreds or thousands of loads can add up.
5. Work With Carriers That Prioritize Efficiency
Sustainability doesn’t stop with the shipper. Carrier selection can also play a role.
Many carriers are investing in newer equipment, improved fuel efficiency, alternative fuels, technology and other initiatives designed to reduce their environmental impact.
When evaluating transportation providers, shippers can consider more than price and availability. Asking carriers about their sustainability efforts can help companies build a transportation network that aligns with broader environmental goals.
Strong carrier relationships also give shippers greater visibility into how their freight is being moved and where opportunities for improvement may exist.
6. Use Data to Find Opportunities
You can’t improve what you can’t see.
Transportation data can reveal patterns that aren’t always obvious from looking at individual shipments. Companies can analyze mileage, mode selection, shipment frequency, trailer utilization, delivery patterns and other transportation metrics to identify inefficiencies.
For example, data may reveal that certain shipments are consistently moving with excess capacity, that multiple shipments could be consolidated, or that certain lanes have opportunities for better planning.
Using data to make transportation decisions allows sustainability efforts to become part of the broader strategy rather than a separate initiative.
7. Balance Sustainability With Service and Cost
A sustainable transportation strategy still has to work for your business. There’s customers to serve, deadlines to meet and budgets to manage. The most environmentally friendly option isn’t always practical for every shipment.
The goal should be to find the right balance between service, cost, capacity and environmental impact. That requires flexibility.
Having access to multiple carriers, transportation modes and capacity options can give shippers more opportunities to make smart decisions based on the needs of each shipment. And that’s where TOP comes in.
TOP starts by asking the questions: Can this shipment be consolidated? Is there a more efficient routing option? Are we using the right mode? Can we reduce empty miles? Are we working with carriers that share our commitment to efficiency? What does our transportation data tell us?
When those questions become part of everyday transportation planning, sustainability becomes much more manageable. Better freight planning can also improve utilization, reduce waste, control transportation costs and create a more efficient supply chain.
At TOP Worldwide, we help shippers navigate the transportation decisions behind every shipment. From finding capacity and evaluating carrier options to responding to changing market conditions, our team helps customers find practical transportation solutions built around their specific needs.
Looking for ways to make your transportation strategy more efficient and sustainable? Let’s talk.