Less-than-truckload (LTL) shipping is the process of shipping freight that only consumes a portion of a trailer. LTL shipping service providers then fill the rest of the trailer with small parcels of freight from other clients as well. After that, they strategically drop off each load in a manner that minimizes fuel consumption and optimizes delivery efficiency.
LTL shipping is known for being cost-effective and convenient. While it certainly does provide those benefits, LTL shipping is also an excellent way of reducing your company’s carbon footprint and overall carbon emissions in logistics. Let’s dive deeper into why minimizing carbon emissions in logistics is important and how LTL shipping can help.
Why Reducing Your Carbon Footprint Is Important
Global warming and the climate change that it induces are already having severe impacts on our planet. While there is still time to turn the tide and slow global warming, doing so will require a concerted effort from government organizations and private businesses the world over.
Your company can do its part by reducing its carbon footprint. You can achieve that aim by implementing strategies that decrease your reliance on fossil fuels, reduce your energy consumption, and curb the amount of waste you produce.
Reducing your carbon emissions in logistics through LTL shipping and other strategies is not just good for the environment. It can also help you better connect with your customers.
Modern consumers are more conscious of environmental issues. They want to work with brands that are serious about sustainability. Taking steps to decrease your carbon emissions in logistics demonstrates that your business is one of those brands.
Using LTL Shipping to Reduce Emissions
Have you ever reserved an entire trailer only to send it out partially filled? LTL shipping helps you put a stop to this wasteful practice. LTL shippers use a trailer’s entire carrying capacity, which reduces the amount of fuel you are using to transport products.
Think of it this way: the truck will likely consume approximately the same amount of fuel whether its trailer is 65% full or 99% full. Considering carbon emissions in logistics strategies will remind you to make sure that the trailer is as full as possible to optimize fuel usage. Then, you can apply this strategy across your entire supply chain, which will help you significantly reduce your carbon emissions in logistics.
Additional Benefits of LTL Shipping
LTL shipping’s ability to help you reduce your carbon footprint provides plenty of incentive for adopting this efficient freight delivery method. However, there are plenty of other benefits to LTL shipping as well.
By using less-than-truckload delivery strategies, you can drastically reduce your shipping costs. When your freight only consumes a portion of a trailer, you share shipping and fuel costs with other LTL clients. This can have a major impact on your bottom line.
As an added benefit, many LTL shipping providers offer real-time tracking services. You can use this information to keep customers in the loop and notify them of potential delivery delays. Many LTL shippers also equip their trailers with lift gates and offer specialized equipment, which makes them far more versatile than FTL carriers.
In addition, LTL shipping is often safer than full-truck-load shipping. This is because each piece of freight is tightly wrapped and secured to pallets. The wrapping and pallets reduce the likelihood that a parcel will be damaged or lost during the shipping process.
Incorporating LTL Shipping into Your Supply Chain
To recap, LTL shipping services can help your business by:
- Reducing its carbon emissions in logistics
- Increasing shipment security
- Accessing real-time tracking capabilities
- Saving money
The question then becomes: how can you integrate LTL shipping into your supply chain and logistics management strategy? The answer is third-party logistics services (3PL).
A 3PL provider can connect you with a vast network of LTL shippers. Since they facilitate the delivery of millions of tons of freight, 3PLs can often negotiate better rates, meaning you can maximize your cost savings while also helping the environment.
If your business has been exploring ways to increase shipping efficiency, cut costs, and decrease its carbon emissions in logistics, LTL shipping represents the ideal solution. Consider revamping your distribution channels and adding LTL shipping to the mix. You’ll be glad you did.
