Green Logistics Literature Review

This report examines the trend of green logistics in warehousing, identifying environmental issues associated with traditional warehousing practices. It analyzes various research studies and provides insights into the benefits and challenges of implementing green logistics in warehousing, including energy efficiency, waste reduction, and sustainable packaging.

GREEN LOGISTICS
(LITERATURE REVIEW)

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUICTION..........................................................................................................................2
LITERATURE REVIEW................................................................................................................2
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY.....................................................................................................7
DISCUSSION..................................................................................................................................8
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................8
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................9

Topic: To identify the ways which contribute to reduce environmental impact of warehousing by
going green.
INTRODUICTION
Background:
Warehouses seek ways on which one could cut the operational costs in terms of
maintaining the productivity as well as efficiency for reducing waste and low energy costs.
However, influences of the eco-friendly warehouses initiatives would range simply in exceeding
the complexity but health as they invite the green innovations.
Objectives:
 To determine trend of green logistics related to warehousing.
 To articulate environmental issues associated to warehousing.
 To assess strategies which helps in reducing environmental impact of warehousing.
Rationale:
The reason behind selecting this topic sis for analysing the outcomes as well as making
adequate ascertainment over the green logistics and warehousing of the data base. The raise in
warehousing concept have lead non-healthy, unproductive as well as non-sufficient environment
for society. Therefore, to research the issues on which selecting this topic would be accurate
enough for making better analysis.
LITERATURE REVIEW
Theme 1: Trend of green logistics related to warehousing
As per views of Liu, McKinnon and Wei (2018), green technology is known as wave of
the future as it is undertaking eco-friendly or environmental approach or for characterising the
latest improvement in supply chain, logistics or interfaces as well with abundance of benefits

adopting through green approach. In this context it was formed with two words as logistics was
key of innovative transportation system which had to use modern technology for purpose of
managing another Greenness which replicates about positive thinking and environment and
integrated as eco-friendly environment and efficiency transportation along with distribution
system. The logistics industry in directly concerned through environment for extracting
innovative opportunities. The prior logistics was forward distribution which as warehouse
management, transportation, packaging and inventory management though producer to customer.
However, Wang (2018) has stated that consideration of environment was for opening
innovative part like reserve logistics and related to waste transport and movement used material.
This has been extracted that there was contrast of environment as per transportation system with
combination of cost, time and speed, reliability, modern logistics system and E-commerce. With
context to warehousing, modern logistics system should be capable for raising inventory
turnover through delivery product to customer fast which meant that inventory was undertaken in
transportation system rather for on road as this cause air pollution and congestion as well.
According to Liu, McKinnon and Wei (2019), Green logistics is related to activities such
as eco-drive formed awareness to truck driver for decreasing fuel along with maintenance engine
completely with absence of exhaust emission to environment. Simultaneously,Backhaul and full
track load was directly related for management of fuel and to attain the highest utility through
decreased backhaul cost along with full space trip with absence of overloading of weight limited
specified through law due to truck has been overload comparatively to compatible road which
meant to damage environment as well. Moreover, Eco-packaging was choosing to package along
with equipment related to transporting goods for recycle and reuse in innovative process.
Simultaneously, modal shift was adaption to system of transportation for saving energy mode on
bass of government which should give direct concern with context to development of
transportation system of tramp, coastal and river.
As per views of Arvis and et.al., (2018), older trends are being offered as fresh look,
incorporating innovative techniques and technologies. The primary energy implied in
distribution centre to not build but instead of transportation that services building. It has been
suggested to put distribution centres which makes sense in terms of logistics model. This is
referred as highest impact on sustainability. In the similar aspect, sustainability in lighting is

most important initiative and trends due to percentage of energy directly attributed to lighting as
facility is quite high. It has been traced that 30% of energy use in distribution centres or
warehouse with very popular lighting strategies is daylighting. For instance, building of Coca
Cola where is integration of daylight tubes along with clear story glass to bring light as there is
addition of light fixtures through daylighting sensors installed in facility so that building could
often directly operate with absence of artificial lighting.
According to Tseng .and et.al., (2019), trend of net-zero building which produces more
energy over a year, along with net zero requirements of local power grid. This has been
described that design of net zero building as very iterative process where function of building
and energy foot print is directly evaluated for purpose of optimising performance. Moreover,
optimal building energy performance is directly identified, a renewable energy strategy is
directly formulated and adding Distribution centres vast rooftops which makes excellent location
for solar panels.
Theme 2: Environmental issues associated to warehousing
As per the Piecyk, and et.al., (2015), it is analysed that a lot of carbon dioxide emissions relating
to the logistics is caused due to storage and handling processes. Operating with a large and a high
technological warehouses leads to a huge amount of consumption of energy because it needs a
proper lighting, cooling, air condition and heating which increases the cost of the firm. Although
warehouses is a basic need of today's world as for producing and operating in a large market
Fahimnia, and et.al.,(2015), viewed that warehouses facilitates easy functioning of the operations
and acts as a wide platform for storing a huge amount of material so that supply can be done
timely. As identified by the Cosimato, and Troisi, (2015), it is seen that warehouses creates fixed
cost and induces material handling cost for the entity. Warehouses contains packing and storing
material which infuses a large carbon dioxide that leads to harmful environmental practises.
However, it is stated by the Zaman, and Shamsuddin, (2017), that various practises can be
adopted by the corporate for making reduction in the carbon footprints like mitigation strategies.
According to the author, there are several approaches that can improve the performance of the
environment in relation to the warehousing like developing such warehouses which are
environment friendly so that not any negative impacts are faced by the external environment. A
per the author views, it is identified that the distribution services are affected by the warehouses

as a lot of waste material is resulted by keeping the stored material in a huge quantity makes the
material obsolete. Recycling processes are adopted by many of the businesses so that the
problem of wastage can be resolved and favourable outcome can be achieved towards the
environment. In the view of Abduaziz, and et.al., (2015), it is analysed that much logistics are
focusing on building the logistics that are energy efficient and smaller construction so that
money can be saved on purchasing the land and construction cost also reduces with positive
environment practises. In accordance to the author, it can be said that warehouses increases the
need for transportation due to more frequent delivery of a single product which is considered as
negative in sense of expenditure. Customers buy from all over the world to get the best price,
which leads to increased long-distance transportation. Increased production of electronic
equipment induces chemicals substances, emission and resource usage which causes adverse
effects on the environment. According to author more direct and efficient distribution saves
routes of transport that leads to less distribution cost and quick supply to the customers.
Dematerialization of products, lets to saving emissions from production processes. Potential
decline of shopping malls, together with the energy demand for construction and utilisation acts
as the positive outcomes for the environment. Oil spills from the warehouses impacts the oceans
and emissions during transportation, warehousing and material handling affects the environment
with large infusion of air pollution. Paper less system and introducing ozone-friendly vehicles
leads to positive impacts on the sustainability of the environment for the future generation in
accordance of the author. As per Blanco, and Sheffi, (2017), view businesses should adopt the
most advanced green building warehouses which creates a favourable scenario in the changing
conditions of the environment. Effective security in a data warehouse should focus on
establishing effective corporate and security procedures. Implementing logical security
procedures and techniques to restrict access. Limiting physical access to the data centre
environment. Establishing an effective internal control review process with focusing on security
and privacy. Material handling hazards in warehouses consist of job features which have a
potentially harmful effects on the surroundings such as improper work methods, improper tools,
job design problems, poor housekeeping and layout of the work station and environment are
analysed by the author.
Theme 3: Strategies which helps to decrease environmental impact of warehousing

According to Facchini, De Pascale and Faccilongo (2018), there are multiple advantages
with reduction of environmental impact as by reducing utility bills and raising sustainability to
decrease carbon foot print and offering employees with context to eco-friendly business. In this
aspect, changing light is referred as easiest method to make warehouse as environment friendly.
The old fashioned light bulbs must be switch out for purpose of eco-friendly options such as
LED. This might cost a bit more upfront comparatively to traditional light bulbs as they last
significantly more and implies less energy. This leads to save electric bill and initiating big step
for lowering environmental impact.
However, Dente and Tavasszy (2018) has stated that if one owns warehouses, there is
more probability to work with environment which runs with use of petroleum or electricity. The
equipment is required to be replaced and options which are very energy efficient must be
preferred. In the same series, there should be closely monitor of things such as gallons per hour,
miles per gallon along with given particular wattage item uses. For purpose of upgrading, it
should be ensured that new product still functions as per requirements and regularly maintained
for high efficiency. The maintenance must be kept with extension of life of multiple products and
decrease the waste of needing should be frequently upgraded.
On the contrary, Vejvar and et.al, 92018) has argued that using less packaging would lead
to cut down on waste as it is more efficient which weighs and costs less for purpose of ship.
There should be consideration of switching through traditional packaging material to multiple
biodegradable products. The packing material is formed through synthetic plastics could
undertake hundreds of year for breaking down in landfills, degradation of biodegradable
products within couple of years as these biodegradable material is compostable. Although, with
efficient packaging and switching to biodegradable packing materials decreases waste and
carbon foot print.
Yuan (2018) said that, warehouse must be recycled and is typically well suited on basis
of recycling and implying conscious effort for taking huge step to go green. Moreover, paper and
cardboard makes vast majority of waste in multiple warehouses and if there is absence of
recycling in efficient manner, then passing of more waste to landfill compared to necessity. Thus
,setting of effective plan of recycling and stick to this. However, Blanc and et.al., (2018) has
critiqued that warehouse could reuse various materials as from corrugated boxes to pallets,

numerous products could be used multiple times. As not reused on common basis, packing
material is very costly for purpose of manufacturing. In the same series, opting to recycle helps
in saving money and decreases environmental impact of manufacturing. Furthermore, reuse
packaging could be sent through suppliers and encouraging customers for return packing on
basis of reuse as by doing this step for decreasing impact of business on environment.
As per views of Gružauskas, Baskutis and Navickas (2018), with changes performed in
environment of warehouse, there are numerous aspects to go green as one of the best method is
to highly invest in technology which allows to go paperless. Without use of paper, look for
recycled materials and implementing system to recycle with high possibilities of waste. In this
aspect, upgrade to high energy efficient electronics and switching off when it is not used. In the
present scenario, there are various electronics and devices which draws power when they are
turned off and not used as well, so the best idea is to unplug them. There should be application of
solar panels for generating electricity along with solar powered chargers for warehouses
electronics.
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research philosophy
Positivism and interpretivism are the two philosophies which bring framework to the
researcher in relation with analysing the outcomes and making adequate recommendations to the
issues. Positivism in based on observing the current issues and generating the new research while
interpretivism, is based on analysing the previously presented studies to implicate adequate
operational changes. In the present research there will be use of positivism philosophy.
Research design
Qualitative and quantitative are the two research designs which are required to be
considered by the researcher for making adequate analysis over outcomes. Qualitative is based
on non-numerical data gathering, analysing and summarizing them to have better understanding
regarding the research. In quantitative there have been influences of various statistically and
mathematical tests to determine the accurate outcomes. However, in the present research there
will be use of qualitative design.
Data collection

There can be use of two techniques such as primary and secondary data collection and
analysis techniques. Primary is based on collecting data through survey, questionnaires,
interviews, focus group analysis etc. while secondary is based on observing the secondary
sources such as internet data and offline information. In the present study there will be use of
primary data collection techniques.
Ethical consideration
To perform the research in the reliable and authentic manner there have been consideration
over all the sources which have been used in study. Therefore, the online sources, books and
journals are to be referenced at the end of project.
DISCUSSION
On the basis of theoretical and practical aspects of the research project on which it can be
said that implications of Eco-friendly warehousing techniques would be adequate in managing
the sustainability in the economy. However, there have been use of packing material is formed
through synthetic plastics could undertake hundreds of years for breaking down in landfills,
degradation of biodegradable products within couple of years as this biodegradable material is
compostable. Although, with efficient packaging and switching to biodegradable packing
materials decreases waste and carbon foot print. Moreover, for the environmental concerns there
have been implication of eco-friendly warehousing.
CONCLUSION
By considering the above presented study on which it can be said that use of green logistic
concept would be adequate for managing the environmental sustainability. This research was
being based on analysing the current logistics issues as well as convenience of people using such
techniques in for profitability as well as for revenue gains. For the further research on which it
can be said that, there can be use of quantitative research techniques, interpretivism as well as
secondary data analysis would bring effective suggestions.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Abduaziz, O. and et.al., 2015. A hybrid simulation model for green logistics assessment in
automotive industry. Procedia Engineering. 100. pp.960-969.
Arvis, J. F. and et.al., 2018. Connecting to Compete 2018: Trade Logistics in the Global
Economy. World Bank.
Blanc, S. and et.al., 2018. Innovative strategies for the raspberry supply chain: an environmental
and economic assessment. Calitatea. 19(165). pp.139-142.
Blanco, E. E. and Sheffi, Y., 2017. Green logistics. In Sustainable Supply Chains (pp. 147-187).
Springer, Cham.
Cosimato, S. and Troisi, O., 2015. Green supply chain management: Practices and tools for
logistics competitiveness and sustainability. The DHL case study. The TQM Journal. 27(2).
pp.256-276.
Dente, S. M. and Tavasszy, L. A., 2018. Impacts of trade related sustainability strategies on
freight transportation: Modelling framework and application for France. Transportation
Research Part D: Transport and Environment. 58. pp.308-319.
Facchini, F., De Pascale, G. and Faccilongo, N., 2018. Pallet picking strategy in food collecting
center. Applied Sciences. 8(9). p.1503.
Fahimnia, B. and et.al.,2015. Green logistics and transportation: A sustainable supply chain
perspective (Vol. 4). Springer.
Gružauskas, V., Baskutis, S. and Navickas, V., 2018. Minimizing the trade-off between
sustainability and cost effective performance by using autonomous vehicles. Journal of
cleaner production. 184. pp.709-717.
Liu, X., McKinnon, A. C. and Wei, N., 2018. An Emissions Analysis from of Energy-Related
China’s Logistics CO2 Industry. Environmental Sustainability in Asian Logistics and
Supply Chains. p.3.

Liu, X., McKinnon, A. C. and Wei, N., 2019. An Analysis of Energy-Related CO 2 Emissions
from China’s Logistics Industry. In Environmental Sustainability in Asian Logistics and
Supply Chains (pp. 3-19). Springer, Singapore.
Piecyk, M. and et.al., 2015. Green logistics: Improving the environmental sustainability of
logistics. Kogan Page Publishers.
Tseng, M. L.and et.al., 2019. A literature review on green supply chain management: Trends and
future challenges. Resources, Conservation and Recycling. 141. pp.145-162.
Vejvar, M. and et.al, 2018. Strategic responses to institutional forces pressuring sustainability
practice adoption: Case-based evidence from inland port operations. Transportation
Research Part D: Transport and Environment. 61. pp.274-288.
Wang, X., 2018. Study on relationship between green logistics activity and logistics
performance. Cluster Computing, pp.1-10.
Yuan, Q., 2018. Environmental justice in warehousing location: State of the art. Journal of
Planning Literature,. 33(3). pp.287-298.
Zaman, K. and Shamsuddin, S., 2017. Green logistics and national scale economic indicators:
Evidence from a panel of selected European countries. Journal of cleaner
production. 143. pp.51-63.