Smart Logistics: The Real Key to Making Your Company More Eco-Friendly

Do you want your company to be more sustainable without affecting your operation or costs? If you answered yes, this blog is for you. Logistics is one of those areas where every decision adds (or subtracts) in terms of environmental impact. And the best part: today there are many ways to make your logistics processes smarter, more efficient, and yes, much more eco-friendly. I'll tell you easily, with ideas you can apply even if you're not Amazon or Tesla. Why talk about sustainability in logistics? Because it's no longer optional. That clear. Transportation, packaging, and storage generate around 11% of global CO₂ emissions. But here's what's interesting: logistics is also one of the areas with the most improvement potential, especially if we make more strategic decisions. Becoming a greener company is not just a nice speech: it's a real competitive advantage. Today clients, investors, and even business partners will demand it from you. 1. Change the mindset from design. Everything starts with a smarter approach. If you optimize your routes, loads, and packaging from the beginning, you reduce emissions without realizing it. Example: Do you really need three trucks a week? Does your packaging take up twice the space as the product? Can you combine deliveries? The more efficient you are in your logistics design, the less environmental impact you'll have. And yes, you'll also spend less. 2. Choose smarter (and less polluting) transport. This point is key. The type of transport you use makes the difference. Here are some ideas: FTL or consolidated loads to avoid half-empty trips. Routes optimized with AI or management software. Newer or electric units (when possible). Combined use of rail and land transport. Is it easier said than done? Yes. But it's also more profitable than you think. The future of logistics is clean... or it won't be. 3. Responsible packaging: less is more. Did you know that 40% of the space in a container can be air due to poor packaging? It doesn't make sense. If you want to be more eco-friendly, start by: Using recycled and recyclable materials. Reducing unnecessary wrapping. Designing custom packaging for the product. This not only improves your environmental footprint, it can also save you a lot in shipping costs. 4. Digitalization: less paper, more control. A sustainable company needs data. And it needs it now. Using technology to digitalize your logistics operation allows you to: Avoid unnecessary printing. Make decisions based on real data (not assumptions). Prevent errors, delays, and returns (which also pollute). Smart logistics is the fastest way to reduce your environmental footprint without slowing your growth. 5. Strategic alliances with conscious suppliers. Your supply chain is as sustainable as its most polluting link. If your suppliers continue operating like in the 90s, you have a problem. Look for alliances with companies that are also committed to going green. 💡 Realistic advice: you don't need to change all your partners now, but you can start demanding cleaner practices. And if they don't want to, there are others. 6. Train your team (and lead by example). It's useless to have sustainable processes if your team doesn't know them or doesn't apply them. Sustainability starts with an aligned business culture: Train your collaborators in green practices. Share impact indicators. Recognize those who contribute eco ideas. Make sustainability part of your company's DNA, not a "nice project." And how do I start? Start with what's possible. With what you can control. Instead of waiting to have a million-dollar budget to transform everything, focus on real and gradual improvements. And if you need help, at Control Terrestre we can accompany you. We are experts in intelligent logistics, and yes, also in making it more sustainable. From optimized routes to more efficient FTL loads, we help you make your company more eco-friendly without complications.