Low Carbon Distribution & Logistics

SolutionsExplored

Distribution, Logistics & SMART technologies: Carbon saving opportunities• Whole Systems approach• Lean production• Efficient vehicles and efficient

driving• Low Carbon Packaging• Smart ordering and delivery

systems (Richard covered)

Whole Systems Approach

• Whole system management: review process from supplier to customer, identify key issues eg. Sustainability Management System (SMS)• Suppliers: Clarify, quantify and

agree expectations with suppliers & other stakeholders• Customers: understand their

habits, adopt systems to help them contribute to carbon savings.

Lean Production• Lean production: management approach

focuses on cutting out waste, whilst ensuring quality, whole system approach, design to distribution • What is Waste? Any activity that does not

add value from customer’s perspective. • 7 Deadly Sins: Overproduction, Waiting,

Transport, Motion, Overprocessing, Inventory, Defects, + 8th Unused human potential - lost motivation, creativity, ideas – management responsibility!

www.leanproduction.com

Electric VehiclesBenefits: Fuel costs approx. 6x more p/100 miles than electric (= approx. 1 charge); Road Tax exempt; free urban parking; Free London Congestion Charge; Lower maintenance costs, Free charge points (IKEA), Home charging -overnight cheaper electricity Av CO2 Emissions: mid-sized electric 80g/km (well-to-wheel), mid-sized combustion engine 147-161 g/kmCosts: Approx £8K more, but current Grants of 25% <£5,000 electric car; 20% <£8,000 electric van (NB vehicle categories change after 1 April 2015)Good time to buy? Incentive schemes will have a limited shelf life, so good time

Efficient driving & vehicles• GHG / Pollution: Transport sector currently

responsible for 27%• Eco-Driving Techniques: Drive smoothly, shift

up early, step off accelerator, avoid excess speed & braking, keep tyres inflated, lose weight.• ULEVs vehicles that produce less than 75

grams of carbon dioxide (CO2) p/km. No of tax benefits for both private and business ULEV users.• 3 Types: Hybrid (HEV), Battery Electric (BEV),

Plug-in Hybrid Electric (PHEV)• Which Vehicles? Electric viable short urban

journeys, hybrid for longer journeys

Distribution: Electric Vans • Emissions: less than 1/3 carbon of diesel

van• Solar Charged: medium range electric

van (Renault Kangoo ZE) now available from Sunlight Future - Bristol Based renewable energy company

• Cost: Purchase & Battery - exempt road tax & congestion charge eg. Nissan e-NV200 Acenta van, outright on-the-road price £16,562.20, including the £8000 grant, est. saving on running costs £2.5K p/yr

• Would you make the switch to electric car and/or van?

Case Study: Bristol & Bath freight consolidation service

• 2 smith newton 9ton electric vans• Load Factor: 5 ton (equiv to 8 pallet

spaces or 15 cage spaces)• 120km (72.5miles) per charge• Speed: 50mph max (norm. 20 – 40

mph)• Noise: Very quiet, could pose

pedestrian danger!

Case Study: Reasons & Benefits

Case Study: Bristol & Bath Freight Consolidation

Low Carbon Solutions: Packaging• Pros: Protects products, minimises waste, can

reduce the carbon footprint of produce. Cons: Expensive, becomes waste product, disposal

• Legislation: EU Packaging & Waste Directive, min 60% recovered, 55-80% be recycled

• 3 R’s: Saves money, Less energy/Co2, increase profits, reduce distribution costs, environmental benefits, consumer expectations, marketing, meet legislative & sustainable procurement demands. Biodegradable or compostable will benefit carbon balance of farm business.

• Food Waste: Amount of packaging balanced with preservation of produce, reducing spoilage & carbon footprint, prevent waste going to land-fill, so food can be kept fresher for longer.

Sustainable Packaging Options• Materials: Important to use recyclable materials along

with decreasing the amount of packaging. Lowest carbon footprint from minimal & basic packaging eg. paper bags, cardboard boxes

• Recycling packaging: environmental benefits by preventing waste to landfill & reduces the extraction and use of new raw materials.

• Eco-Friendly disposable packaging: Low carbon alternative for food industry, reduces waste & costs.

• Bioplastics made from plants, can include wheat, soya, tapioca, cornstarch or even algae.

• Manufacturing bio-plastics: Less energy than traditional plastics, with plants absorb CO2 through growth, which is then maintained within the product.

• Wood: Trees absorb carbon and wood will therefore store carbon. Well-managed forests will produce a greater yield of wood per hectare and absorb CO2

Case Studies: Packaging Reduction (WRAP) • Marks and Spencer: changed the plastic

tray to protect its beef to a thin skin pack wrapped tightly around the product. Cut packaging 69% extended shelf life 4 days.

• Coca-Cola: reduced weight of cans by 5%, saving 15,000 tonnes of packaging p/yr, rep approx. 78,000 tonnes of CO2 –equiv of taking 25,000 cars off the road.

• WRAP’s Glass Rite Wine project: how to reduce packaging used to get wine from the vineyard to the consumer. Importing in bulk & using lighter bottles, cut CO2 emissions by est. 28,300 tonnes, equiv. of taking 8,500 cars off the road.

Conclusions• Sustainability Management System

and Reporting to ensure key issues are identified and managed (ref: Sustain-Live event on Wednesday 22 April)• Electric vehicles now viable options,

worth considering whilst grants available, esp. in light of LEZ’s and air pollution• Explore collaborative purchasing,

marketing & distribution options with others, producers & suppliers in value chain & geographic area• Packaging efficiencies and materials

are also an important consideration