Sustainable logistics at the heart of change
Sustainable logistics is a topic of growing interest in the light of the current climate and energy crisis we are currently experiencing.
The logistics supply chain plays a strategic and responsible role in the ecological transition. Logistics, in fact, is called upon to pursue a change of course, deploying all strategies and tools for the green conversion of production and distribution systems.
Sustainability in logistics has recently been the focus of important industry events in which MWM took part. It was also an opportunity to return to face-to-face discussions after the pandemic and to keep the focus on highly topical issues.
Sustainable innovation at the Green Logistics Expo
From 5 to 7 October the second edition of Green Logistics Expo took place in Padua, the international exhibition of sustainable logistics in which MWM participated within the Assologistica village.
Emphasizing the urgency of state intervention to keep energy costs down, there was a debate on the strategies to be adopted to create environmentally friendly supply chain models.
Starting with the choice of solar panels and energy efficiency technologies (e.g. LED lighting) as a means of making the warehouse sustainable and reducing the impact of consumption. With a view to further savings, it is useful to adopt solutions to store the energy produced at peak times, making it available for use at other times.
The world of industry and packaging, meanwhile, must promote circular economies through product redesign, waste elimination and packaging reduction and recycling.
Furthermore, on the mobility front, transport must be decarbonized to reduce CO2 emissions and encourage a shift from road to other modes such as rail and ship.
Logistics must obviously be present in a circular economy project.
Recognition of the figure of the logistics operator celebrated
The Green Logistics Expo was an important moment to bring together companies in the sector and also to celebrate the recognition of the logistics operator as a professional figure within the Italian civil code, whose role has become increasingly strategic over the years on a global level and for the achievement of sustainability goals.
Sustainable logistics in Italy: data from the Green Logistics Survey
In the context of the Sustainable Logistics Exhibition, data collected by the Green Logistics Survey, carried out by the Green Transition Hub of Liuc University on a sample of over 500 logistics and supply chain managers in Italy, was presented.
Aimed at analysing the spread of sustainable solutions adopted by the logistics sector, the survey showed that while 95% of multinationals have clear sustainability goals, 45% of SMEs have not declared such goals.
Among the most popular solutions to make logistics more sustainable are:
- environmental certifications for warehouses
- the installation of biogas plants;
- LED lighting;
- the use of electric fleets;
- and route optimization in transport.
The role of logistics in building sustainable communities
The topic of sustainability in logistics was also the focus of an event attended by MWM on 19 September entitled ‘Building Sustainable Communities. What role for logistics?‘. The event was organized by SOS-LOG with the Green Transition Hub of LIUC University and the Department of Psychology of the University of Milan-Bicocca. The conference reflected on the role of logistics operators in the realization of more liveable and environmentally friendly cities.
A road to be travelled through projects in both local and national spheres based on sharing, cooperation and synergy between the various actors involved: from the world of industry to logistics operators via public administrations and citizens.
Paths of collaborative economy and city logistics aimed at
- optimize the kilometers travelled and vehicle saturation;
- reduce traffic and CO2 emissions e.g., with new solutions dedicated to last-mile logistics;
- build interactions and opportunities for dialogue with communities;
- improve the quality of life of operators and citizens.
- MWM and the commitment to sustainability
Investing in sustainability represents for logistics companies a value and an opportunity for growth and development. This focus generates significant energy, economic, social and ecological savings.
MWM pursues sustainability through the adoption of technological and organizational solutions aimed at reducing the impact on the environment and promoting green business development. These include the installation of a photovoltaic system and an autonomous water system, with which MWM covers the needs of plants and refrigeration system.
