From problem to solution
Yet knowing something needs to be done is one thing – knowing how to do it is another. To help with this thinking, we present 6 ideas to help turn your carbon footprint from a source of concern to a competitive advantage:
Idea #1: Ensure your drivers are ‘fuel efficient’
Over time, driving styles can have a tremendous impact on your fuel spend. By analyzing driver behavior, and identifying those styles that are costing the business more fuel, you can take corrective action. When run in concert with a fleet management system such as Thermo King’s TracKing solution, you’ll have all the data needed to highlight which drivers need guidance on improving their styles. As a result, you’ll be able to
- Optimize fuel consumption by trip, vehicle, and individual driver
- Minimize your environmental impact through better fuel management
Idea #2: Plan your operation to minimize cold chain ‘breaches’
It’s a simple equation: the more a cooling unit has to work, the more fuel it’s going to use. Having to constantly bring the temperature of a load down due to constant door openings; poor pre-cooling at the distribution center; ineffective loading practices etc. – is a guaranteed way to drive up both your fuel costs and emissions. Following best practice in breach management (see our article on the topic) can help you make cut back on both.
Idea #3: Think green when making future purchases
As a business you’re presented with a number of different options for cooling units. Most work on diesel, but it’s important to keep in mind that some are certainly thirstier than others. Fuel efficiency matters (indeed, fuel typically represents over half your TCO), which is where the SLXi range comes into its own.
Idea #4: Consider ‘going electric’
Think of the benefits: no combustion means no diesel emissions emerging from exhaust pipes. Instead, fully electric units – such as those within our Frigoblock range – deliver up to
- 75% less CO2 emissions
- 75% less energy consumption
- 50% less greenhouse effect by using refrigerant type R410A
Still not convinced? Then maybe the hybrid approach is right for you – with SLXi Hybrid bringing together the benefits of both diesel and electric power. Watch the best practice video from Professor Kool on the importance of maintaining a good airflow.
Idea #5: Find a less harmful refrigerant to work with
Transitioning away from higher GWP (Greenhouse Warming Potential) refrigerant – and away from readily available stocks of R404A HFC options toward non-ozone depleting R-452A – is another great option to take. This is also a proven way to future-proof your operation, by achieving early compliance with upcoming 2020 F-GAS regulations. R-452A comes standard on all vans, trucks, and trailer refrigeration units from Thermo King, and can even be retrofitted to older hardware.
Idea #6: Try something completely different
Something unconventional. Something like CryoTech: the technology that allows you to reduce your transport refrigeration carbon footprint by 90%. By using recycled R744 as its power source, CryoTech systems operate with no additional carbon emissions. And with no HFC refrigerants, there’s no global warming impact either.
The result: a zero emission, whisper-quiet solution for your business.
