The world is grappling with the climate crisis, and time is ticking down. As a result, companies are urged to take a proactive approach towards sustainability from governments and consumers alike. This, of course, can feel impossible when the demand for shipping goods has only increased. Not to worry, as there are several sustainable business solutions that all companies can invest in to cut back or even zero out their carbon footprint, starting with these five tips.
1. Partner with an Eco-Friendly Shipping Solution
Start by partnering with an eco-friendly shipping solution. These companies specialise in sustainable transportation and have partners locally and around the globe to help your business minimise its footprint and impact. Locally, you can switch to companies that use more sustainable transportation methods, such as electric trucks or bikes. Globally the strategy is much different, which is why you need a shipping specialist to help you get your products on a Seafreight with minimal ecological impact. By partnering with an eco-friendly shipping solution, companies can significantly reduce their carbon emissions and make a positive impact on the environment.
2. Using AI and Creative Design to Create Circular Products
Another way companies can improve their shipping practices is by using AI-assisted creative design to create circular products. Circular products are designed to be fully reused or recycled rather than thrown away after use. This can come in the form of innovative materials that can be essentially boiled down and then made into a new shape. It can also come in the form of reusing components as is, for example, reusing metal buckles in new pieces.
3. Focus on Regenerative Design Principles
Regenerative design is a sustainable design approach that focuses on creating systems that support the environment rather than depleting it. Its primary focus is in the early stages of every supply chain. Though they may not seem linked, how you produce and design your products greatly affects your overall supply chain and shipping strategy. Weight and volume matter when it comes to shipping, so using circular and regenerative design practices can help:
- Lower the weight and space needed to ship items
- Lower CO2 consumption across the supply chain
- Capture carbon from the outset to improve your entire supply chain
4. Use Carbon Tracking and Management
Carbon tracking and management can help companies identify areas of their shipping practices that are producing the most carbon emissions. By tracking their carbon emissions, companies can create a baseline and set goals for reducing their carbon footprint over time. Once you know how much carbon you’re producing, you can implement strategies to reduce carbon emissions, such as using more sustainable transportation methods or optimising packaging materials. By tracking and managing their carbon emissions, companies can reduce their environmental impact and improve their sustainability.
5. Use Carbon Reduction Initiatives to Offset Carbon
Finally, companies can invest in carbon reduction initiatives to offset the carbon emissions produced by their shipping practices. Carbon reduction initiatives involve supporting projects that reduce carbon emissions or sequester carbon, such as reforestation projects or renewable energy initiatives. By investing in carbon reduction initiatives, companies can offset their carbon emissions and positively impact the environment.
