6 Ways to Make Your Warehouse More Eco-Friendly

With climate change presenting a significant challenge, sustainability is no longer just an idea; it’s more of a requirement. Besides reducing the carbon footprint, being ecological will also save you a lot of money in the long term. Therefore, it’s not surprising that many businesses, including moving and storage companies in Maryland, nowadays take part in green initiatives. If you also want to participate in saving the planet, here’s how to make your warehouse more eco-friendly!

Make your warehouse more eco-friendly by improving the lightning

One of the simplest ways to make your Maryland warehouse energy efficient is to invest in better lighting systems. Probably the best solution is to install skylights, which will enable direct sunlight to enter the storage facility. However, depending on the design and specifications of your warehouse, it might not be possible to have natural light.

Instead, you can replace your old light bulbs with more environmentally friendly ones, such as LEDs. They may initially cost more than standard light bulbs, but they use less energy and last much longer. In fact, some studies claim that LED light bulbs are up to 80% more efficient! Keeping that in mind, along with reducing your environmental impact, you will save money on your electric bill.

Replace traditional packaging materials with ecological alternatives

From interstate movers Maryland experience, warehouses use a lot of packaging materials daily. While not all packing materials are made of renewable materials, it helps to use environmentally friendly packaging whenever possible. For example, you can use biodegradable peanuts in place of Styrofoam and corrugated paper bubble wrap instead of plastic.

Biodegradable materials decay in just a few years, but synthetic plastic packaging can take hundreds of years to decompose in landfills. On top of that, you can compost many of the eco-friendly materials after you’re done using them. Therefore, it’s safe to say that switching to biodegradable packing materials will help you cut waste and lower your carbon footprint.

Getting more efficient equipment might help make your warehouse more eco-friendly

Most cross country movers Maryland can tell you that green equipment is important for the moving and storage industry. Therefore, when it comes time to replace your current warehouse equipment, search for more energy-efficient alternatives. Namely, pay attention to gallons per hour and miles per gallon spent and how much power a specific tool consumes.  

However, becoming more eco-friendly should never come at the expense of productivity and efficiency. Make sure your new tools have the same or better functionality than your previous ones, and maintain them regularly. Tools and equipment that are well taken care of will last longer and won’t break often. So, by investing in better equipment, you’ll also save money on repairs and utility bills!

Investing in proper insulation will make your warehouse greener

Since they tend to get hot in the summer and cold in the winter, most warehouses have climate control systems. However, if you don’t have adequate insulation, heated or cooled air will escape from your storage Waldorf MD. As a result, this will raise your heating and cooling expenses and hurt the environment.

Luckily, some eco-friendly ways exist to keep the climate-controlled air where it belongs. First, you should add weatherstripping around windows and skylights, preferably using renewable materials. Then, repair or replace ceiling insulation and invest in efficient air-conditioning units. You might also consult an expert to help you identify inefficiencies and suggest adjustments that could save you money.

Solar panels as a source of renewable energy will also make your warehouse more eco-friendly

Most warehouses use a lot of energy on a day-to-day basis, often resulting in expensive energy bills. Using solar energy is a good way to lower those costs and help the environment at the same time. Moreover, the majority of warehouses have flat roofs, which are ideal for solar panel installations. 

The only downside to this is that putting up solar panels for the first time might be costly. However, even this issue has a solution, as recent trends show that the cost of solar panels is decreasing. Perhaps you can even find a partner to sponsor the cost of installation and maintenance! On top of that, solar panels will last for years, so your investment will pay off in the long run.

Recycle and reuse warehouse materials

Strategies for reusing and recycling materials can help you save money and lessen the impact of your warehouse on the environment. Therefore, you should check what materials your storage facility often discards and consider alternatives to cut waste. However, before that, make sure you know what materials you can safely recycle.

The majority of warehouses already recycle materials like pallets, crates, and totes. When possible, some warehouses also reuse packaging materials like cardboard and boxes to reduce waste rather than throwing them away. Keeping that in mind, you should follow this example and put that recyclable waste to good use.  

The warehouse industry is still developing, discovering new ways to improve efficiency and lessen its negative effects on the environment. However, you don’t need to undertake major renovations to make your warehouse more eco-friendly. As you can see, redesigning and making simple modifications can have a large impact on lowering the cost of warehouse upkeep. Moreover, you’ll have peace of mind knowing you’re doing something to save the planet for future generations.