Warehouses and industrial facilities throughout the United States have been required to reduce their environmental impact, but many do so by choice because going green offers many benefits. Caylor Industrial Sales in Dalton, GA, a leading supplier of industrial hardware and custom-machined parts, maintains an extensive inventory and understands the importance of eco-friendly practices. This family-owned business explains ways to make your warehouse environmentally sustainable. 

4 Ways to Make Your Warehouse Eco-Friendly

1. Use Energy-Efficient Lighting

Lighting is the biggest energy expense for most warehouse owners. Utilizing natural light is an excellent way to increase efficiency and cut costs. Many warehouse operators are investing in solar panels and skylights, which can reduce lighting expenses by up to 50%. You also can install motion sensors in low-traffic areas so the lights will shut off automatically when a room is not in use. 

2. Reduce Waste  

There are many ways to reduce waste. Send invoices, receipts, and orders via email instead of using paper whenever possible. Reuse items like cardboard, bubble wrap, and packing peanuts to not only reduce the waste in landfills but save money you would spend on new materials. You also can purchase packaging made of recycled materials and send discarded products to a facility for reprocessing. 

3. Replace Wood Pallets with Reusable Plastic 

Whether you stock consumer merchandise or industrial hardware, items are secured to pallets for transport and storage. Wood pallets consume precious natural resources and more than half are used only once. Plastic pallets are sturdy and can be reused, saving you the cost of disposing of and replacing the wood variety. 

4. Use Energy-Efficient Machines 

Forklifts and other heavy machinery are critical to warehouse operations, and most are powered by electricity stored in lead-acid batteries. Machinists have developed a hydrogen fuel cell-powered forklift as an energy-efficient alternative. These machines store energy as hydrogen gas and convert it into electricity as needed. They also recharge in a matter of minutes compared to the hours required for an older version. There’s no need to replace batteries or chargers with a hydrogen-powered machine, which reduces waste and saves money. 

For more ideas on how to make your business greener, contact the industrial hardware specialists at Caylor Industrial Sales in Dalton, GA. They carry a broad range of supplies, including structural steel and air and water regulators, to help your facility run efficiently. Call (706) 226-3198 to speak with a team member and visit their website to view their catalog.