Going Green in Warehousing and Fulfillment at CCLS

With 11 facilities across Canada, Canada Cartage Logistics Solutions (or CCLS) has grown to become one of the country’s leading providers of fulfillment and distribution services. And as we've opened new buildings and upgraded existing ones, environmental sustainability has been a key consideration in the design and operations of these facilities. This is not only good for the planet, but also for the bottom line, as many upgrades are also cost-saving features for CCLS and our customers.

Below are just a few of the green initiatives we've implemented at CCLS:

Energy savings:

Our fulfillment centers have been upgraded to LED lighting, which reduces energy usage by 40 to 60 percent compared to traditional fluorescent bulbs. Additional energy savings come from installing motion sensors and timers in aisles, which activate lighting only during stocking or picking activities.

Packaging reductions:

In collaboration with our customers, we’ve transitioned packaging materials from plastic air bubbles to paper stuffing, which has significantly reduced the use of plastic. One customer partnership involves shipping unpackaged goods in bulk to CCLS centers, where they are packaged individually, minimizing waste and packaging time.

A pilot project with a major retailer has been launched to return Styrofoam in bulk, which is then consolidated and sent for recycling.

Recycling:

CCLS centers have comprehensive recycling programs, including cardboard and pallet recycling. Some locations feature on-site corrugate compactors, making recycling cardboard more efficient and cost-effective.

Facility design:

Our newest facility in Nisku Alberta, just south of Edmonton, incorporates a rainwater capture system for toilet flushing, solar panels, LED lighting, and enhanced roof insulation to conserve energy.

The facility aims for Silver LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification, reflecting its commitment to sustainable building and operational practices.

In an era where natural resources are diminishing and carbon emissions are rising, partnering with an environmentally conscious business like CCLS can help to reduce your company’s carbon footprint.

In our next edition of CONNECTIONS, we’ll share some of the ways that Canada Cartage’s truck fleet is “going green” with environmentally-friendly best practices and truck design.