For small-industrial businesses, taking steps to adopt “green” practices can be overwhelming. So, why not start small by changing the way you run your warehouse? It’s a great way to increase overall energy efficiency and get you on your way to operating in a greener business environment. Just follow these 5 easy tips to lower bills and higher energy savings!

Energy-efficient lighting

Did you know that lighting can make up more than 40% of all energy costs at your warehouse? Avoid overpaying and wasting money on energy bills by investing in LED lighting! LEDs are more energy efficient than fluorescent lighting and can save you 50% on your lighting costs.

According to Supply Chain Digital, another great way to save energy is by making use of motion sensors and ambient light sensors; while motion sensors facilitate the use of lighting when workers are inside the building, ambient light sensors adjust the lighting depending on the amount of natural light available in real-time.

Energy-efficient heating

According to the EU Logistics Hub one of the easiest ways to “green” your warehouse is to heat things up using solar panels; the typical flat roofs of warehouses are practical made for them! Yes, investing in solar panels requires an initial investment but they pay for themselves after 6 years (give or take) of use and a long time after. Already using solar energy to cut down on costs? Make sure you complement those efforts with a programmable thermostat that can help regulate temperatures when no-one is working and an industrial sized fan to help circulate hot air in the winter and cool air in the summer when things heat back up.

Energy-efficient insulation

Controlling how you heat is one thing, but it is equally as important to ensure that your business is equipped with the most energy efficient insulation on the market. Don’t lose energy (and money) due to the wrong type of insulation; do your research and discover a world of energy-efficient and eco-friendly alternatives to traditional insulation types and materials. Don’t know the difference between Batt insulation, loose-fill and spray-foam? Check out this article on the ins and outs of insulation and make your warehouse a “greener” place to work.

Reduce, Re-use, Recycle

When it comes to “greening” your warehouse, it’s not just what you do to the warehouse itself that can impact the size of your carbon footprint. Take a second to consider ways in which you can recycle, reduce and re-use your way into greener practices. Start with the packaging: Do you use the most efficient packaging? Exploring biodegradable packaging materials can help lessen the impact your warehouse has on the environment while light weight packaging solutions can help reduce the amount of waste you produce; after all, sometimes less really is more!

Want to get really creative? Why not try introducing re-usable packaging? Investing in re-usable packaging or simply re-using the packaging provided by suppliers extends the lifecycle of a container by years, cutting down on waste and saving you money. If you’re not quite ready to re-use your packaging, be sure to properly recycle all material when possible.

Consider getting third-party certification

If you’re looking to entirely re-vamp your warehouse or build a new facility, it might be a good time to call in the experts. Introducing LEED, standing for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. LEED is a third-party certification program that supports the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings. Working towards LEED certification will help you identify where you should focus your energy saving efforts in order to save the most money and energy in years to come. While LEED isn’t the only certifying body in operation, it is one of the most reputable. Find out more about the differences between LEED and BOMA BESt and check out this great post from e-how detailing what to be aware of before deciding to pursue a LEED application.

Questions or comments about “greening” your warehouse? Leave them below!

image credit: Ilya de Fotomaker