Sustainability in Cold Chain Management
When we speak of climate change, see various environmental impacts around us and decide why this is happening - one thing that comes to our mind is how to make certain industries sustainable. How could the cold chain and logistics sector be left behind when every industry adapts to sustainability?
The irony is that an industry which has the word "cool" in it is one of the most environmentally negative industries with tons of waste generation. You would be surprised to know that 4% of total global greenhouse gas emissions are the result of the cold chain and logistics industry.
The present cold chain solutions give very little importance to green practices which ultimately lead to excessive energy consumption, carbon emissions and massive waste generation - posing a significant threat to the earth in every negative way possible.
Often when the cold chain transport sector becomes subject to technology failure or any refrigeration fault, huge losses of food are seen all over the world.
We understand that cold chain and logistics solutions are essential to keep perishable goods healthy which is why artificial temperature and lighting are a must but with that, there could be some sustainable inclusions that can be explored to have this industry change for the better.
This blog will explore how cold Chain and Logistics solutions can adapt to sustainable practices;
1) Eco-friendly Packaging Options - 1) Eco-friendly Packaging Options - The first step of the cold chain and logistics solutions starts with packing the materials for transport. Things would be much easier if this emerging industry understood the value of sustainable packaging options.
It's saddening to see the majority of the cold chain packing ending up in landfills - offering higher carbon footprints than plastics because of its weight.
With the transition towards innovative technologies, there have been loads of improvements in this sector.
Compostable Cold Chain Packaging Material - Compostable packaging solutions are fairly a new term for the cold chain packaging industry but is it slowly gaining popularity. Pulp-based materials, mushroom-based materials, and bio-polymers are used in these kinds of packaging and are environment-safe. Even the process of manufacturing these is eco-friendly.
Specialized Packaging - Specialized Packaging - These packaging solutions are active and are also known as temperature-sensitive packaging materials that can figure out the outside temperature, and atmospheric conditions inside the packaging - based on which detect the spoilage during the transition.
Mostly the use of AI in cold chains is used here. You can read about the importance of AI in the cold chain here - https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/3-advantages-ai-cold-chain-industry-world-cold-chain-expo-qpzkf/?trackingId=yONCe0qNs6cFNxxiE0iroA%3D%3D
Innovative Packaging - Most of the packaging that comes along with the products is thrown away or never reused. But most of the companies including Pelican BioThermal's Credo production line offer cold chain packaging solutions in the form of reusable boxes and containers. Another example is a company named Cyopak that makes reusable and even customized packaging and shippers.
Checking for System Failure - Often cold chain solutions are subject to system failures and most of the time between the operations - leading to tons of waste being generated.
Checking for System Failure - Often cold chain solutions are subject to system failures and most of the time between the operations - leading to tons of waste being generated.
Some of the possible damages that are seen in cold chain and logistics solutions are as follows;
Damaged Coolers or Lose Doors - When used repeatedly, freezer doors and coolers become non-functional. It is best advised to use GUI, which tracks the temperature of the freezer every second - telling the owner whether this is in the right state or not.
Fewer Miles - Cold chain and Logistics solutions travel huge distances to deliver the product to the end user. If it checks for the shortest possible route - this will help them lower fuel consumption.
Strict Check on Temperature Sensitive Products - While carrying highly perishable products, there is always a fear of system failure which is often the result of poor logistics management.
These can be done in a few steps
Step 1: During Production - Any product that is manufactured should go through a cold chain monitoring and data logging process to see if it is fit for the supply chain process or will be destroyed in the middle.
Pharma and chemical industries along with frozen food industries should especially take care of the guidelines.
Step 2: Transportation - Now that the manufacturing industry has handed over the product to the supply chain department, the cold chain management can examine the category of the product and customize the temperature accordingly. The best is to use Data loggers - a device that tracks the various atmospheric and temperature changes.
Step 3: Quality Refrigeration - You would be surprised to know that ⅓ of the total perishable products that are transported are destroyed in the middle due to poor cold storage or distribution.
Educating Employees - Employees should understand the value of educating employees in the cold chain and logistics sector to understand the value of no waste.
To maintain employee engagement and sustainability in the cold chain industry, emphasis should be placed on providing opportunities for professional advancement and ongoing training, maintaining a safe and comfortable work environment, recognizing and rewarding achievements, and implementing sustainable practices.
Maintain open lines of communication, offer flexible work hours, employ cutting-edge technology to reduce physical strain and foster a positive work atmosphere. Encourage employees' health and well-being by including them in eco-friendly projects that will foster a positive, exciting, and long-lasting work environment.
So, now, we understand that sustainability in the cold chain industry is vital. But it is our prime responsibility to start this early. Right from the production department to supply to distribution - it is everyone's responsibility to keep a sustainability check.