Top 10 Green Initiatives For Supply Chain Executives

1. Automate, automate, automate: the more you introduce automation—such as B2B e-commerce—into the supply chain, the more efficient it becomes and the less paper is consumed.
2. Outsource, outsource, outsource: let’s face it, there are many advantages to be gained by letting the experts do what they do best instead of trying to do it yourself. Most outsourcing solutions have a cost benefit, but there is also an environmental benefit of data centre consolidation and increased use of electronic transaction processing. Running your own data centre is not only costly, but environmentally impactful as well.
3. Set your sights on supply chain visibility: by increasing your visibility into your supply chain, you can gain better control of inventory (reduce over-ordering and warehouse space required), optimise logistics processes and transportation, and reduce the need to expedite shipments or duplicate orders. The less we ship and store, the less our carbon footprint!
4. Consider telecommuting: there’s value in face time, but given transportation costs and commute distances for many employees—as well as the advancements in remote technology—it makes sense for many workers to work for home at least one or two days a technology—it makes sense for many workers to work for home at least one or two days a week.
5. Utilise video conferencing: touching on the face time concept, video conferencing is an eco-friendly way to interact with remote employees and ensure their engagement in critical discussions and important meetings.
6. Reward eco-friendly behaviour: consider having a reward programme for employees that take actions to reduce their own carbon footprints by buying a hybrid or fuel cell vehicle, organising and participating in office carpools, organising recycling programme for hardware and home electronics, or use of permanent drinkware instead of plastic or styrofoam cups.
7. Deploy a viable Transportation Management System: by deploying a TMS, logistics and supply chain managers can optimise the transportation of goods and eliminate things like less-than-truckload deliveries.  They can also ensure route optimisation to minimise fuel consumption.
8. Green the roof: If you must run your own data centre, make it more environmentally friendly by upgrading the heating and cooling systems to be energy efficient; use fewer machines with higher capacity and lesser cooling needs; and consider adding a ‘green roof’ which has been shown to minimise heating and cooling needs by 25% or more.
9. Make sure your vendors are earth friendly: Ensure that your suppliers and vendors have green projects and standards in place as well and ask for documentation of these initiatives.
10. Get the CEO’s support: obtain buy-in at the highest levels to ensure that green initiatives will be followed through and encouraged by the company.