According to a report from the Material Handling Industry of America (MHIA), 48% of respondents to a recent study currently have a sustainability initiative underway and 88% say that sustainability will be of even greater importance over the next 18-24 months.
The findings of the study, “Sustainability in Warehousing, Distribution and Manufacturing,” were taken from an e-mail survey conducted by Affinity Research Solutions and based on 368 qualified responses. The findings indicate that an overwhelming majority of respondents, 78%, site social responsibility as the driver behind sustainability initiatives while 63% site resulting efficiencies. Fifty-nine percent indicated that sustainability initiatives were a management directive while 42% said their customers were demanding it.
Other findings include:
• 92% say their companies believe that sustainable initiatives have the potential to save money and resources;
• Other benefits of sustainability are bringing greater awareness to the market, tax incentives, utility rebates, and a competitive edge;
• Green companies are investing in lighting fixtures/controls, recycling products and/or fans to circulate cool or warm air;
• The material handling and logistics equipment and technologies that are most often cited as contributing to being environmentally stable are automatic identification, totes and containers and lift trucks;
• 8 out of 10 respondents have a team for implementing and recommending green initiatives;
• Almost half are involved in selecting green/energy efficient products and/or they are part of a green team.
