In recent years, the world has experienced a logistics boom made possible through the introduction of new technologies, larger transportation capacities and the globalization of e-commerce. While these developments have ushered in an exciting new era of logistical possibilities, they have not come without challenges – especially when it comes to environmental impact.
According to the EPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency), the shipment of U.S. goods is expected to grow upwards of 45% by 2040. Though these statistics may sound like good news for businesses, this type of growth could be detrimental for the environment as increased freight activities will greatly contribute to global greenhouse gas emissions. Now, more than ever, it is crucial for companies to take robust climate action to minimize the harmful effects of climate change.
CJ Logistics is doing just that, adopting an innovative approach to sustainable growth through the implementation of unique solutions that prioritize both people and planet.
Taking Action as a Team
CJ Logistics has created an ESG (environmental, social and governance) team dedicated to creating a healthier world by building a better, more sustainable logistics ecosystem. This team can be seen as the control tower of CJ Logistics’ ESG management activities and oversees the entire ESG process from conceptualization to implementation. In addition to creating mid- to long-term strategies and action steps for the company, the ESG team leads CJ Logistics in actively participating in initiatives that tie in with the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which aim to address universal issues including poverty, education, healthcare, environment, and the like.
Small Acts With Great Impact
With e-commerce and delivery becoming mainstays in daily life throughout the world, CJ Logistics set out to reduce environmental pollution caused by packaging materials by introducing eco-friendly packaging solutions. Instead of using plastic tape, cushioning and packaging materials, CJ Logistics is now using paper-based products that can be recycled. With these changes, just one logistics center customer was able to save about 230 tons of plastic per year.
Shipping labels are another product that often creates waste in the logistics process. To address this issue, CJ Logistics has leveraged cutting-edge technology and automation to come up with a solution. By implementing a labeling process that prints barcodes directly on boxes instead of affixing them to the packaging with adhesive, the company has removed over 35 million 7x5cm coated labels and sticker sheets from its logistics operations. That’s equivalent to saving approximately 438 30-year-old trees.
In addition to paper-based products, CJ Logistics is preventing plastic waste by adopting environmentally friendly pallets made from recycled plastic. These carbon-zero pallets are produced by applying the latest green technology to scrap plastic and have been introduced at fulfillment centers in South Korea and Indonesia. These new pallets greatly outperform the existing wooden pallets commonly used in Indonesia while reducing greenhouse gas emissions, making them an important asset in both logistics operations and ESG management. The 400 pallets placed in the Jakarta fulfillment center reduce approximately 26,880kg of carbon emissions while giving new life to 12 tons of plastic waste.
CJ Logistics is proving that even small, positive changes can make a big impact when it comes to caring for the environment. However, the company isn’t only adopting sustainable practices within its fulfillment centers. Rather, it is doing so throughout the entire logistics process.
Delivering Sustainability From the First Mile to the Last Mile
To further its impact as an eco-friendly logistics company, CJ Logistics is continuously exploring unique opportunities to expand its ESG activities while applying sustainable technology in new ways. One example of this is the company’s ECO+ uniforms provided to on-site workers.
These uniforms are made from yarn produced from recycled 500ml PET bottles originally used as beverage packaging. It takes about 14 of these bottles to make one ECO+ uniform, meaning a total of 28,000 bottles have been recycled to make the 2,000 staff uniforms. Not only do these uniforms promote an eco-friendly logistics environment, but they also boast excellent practicality in their design. In addition, the ECO+ uniform marks the first time that a company has utilized upcycled clothing as its uniform.
In another premiere industry event, CJ Logistics was the first to introduce an electric one-ton truck on delivery routes. Since this debut, the company has continued to add electric delivery vehicles to its fleet and now operates over 30 electric delivery vehicles. This is an important step forward in green logistics, mitigating pollution caused by delivery vehicles while cutting down on fuel costs. CJ Logistics plans to replace all of its diesel-powered delivery vehicles with electric vehicles by 2030.
CJ Logistics’ commitment to leading the ESG charge has earned the company recognition in multiple spheres. Most recently, CJ Logistics was named a 2022 Green Supply Chain Partner by Inbound Logistics, a U.S. journal for the logistics sector. Each year, the logistics news media outlet assesses logistics companies on four criteria – measurable green results, sustainability innovation, continuous improvement and industry recognition – and chooses 75 companies that strive to maintain a sustainable global supply chain. This title is evidence of CJ Logistics’ demonstrated progress in embracing green logistics practices throughout the entirety of its operations.
Persistent Action for an Earth-friendly Future
From eco-friendly packaging to carbon-zero pallets, upcycled uniforms to electric delivery vehicles, CJ Logistics remains persistent in its pursuit of a greener, more sustainable logistics sector. The company continues to go the extra mile in pioneering and implementing innovative solutions that create a positive environmental impact. “We are always carrying out sustainable management projects for which we search for and discover efficient means of creating green logistics in collaboration with our customers,” stated a CJ Logistics America representative. “We will continue to strive and exert a positive influence on various fields, including the economy, society, and the environment as an integrated and multimodal logistics services provider.”
