Carbon Neutral Warehousing: A Fresh Perspective

Editor’s Note: Joe White is the Owner GreenWay Miles

Warehouse operators realize the importance of sustainably to both the environment and their customers. Through the use of skylights, solar cells, LED lighting and other energy conservation technologies, these companies continue to reduce their carbon footprint.

DHX-Dependable Hawaiian Express, headquartered in Los Angeles, California, decided to take it a step further. In June, they contracted for carbon audits for each of their four warehouse facilities. Based on audit results, they then purchased carbon offsets in sufficient quantities to operate each warehouse on a carbon neutral basis for all of 2019.

Carbon audits measure the annual amount of carbon emissions generated by energy usage from direct (natural gas, fuel oil, etc.) and indirect (electricity) sources. The calculated amount of carbon dioxide emitted is expressed in metric tons. To visualized the volume of a metric ton of carbon, picture a cube twenty-seven feet square by twenty-seven feet tall.
Once their amount of emissions was calculated, DHX-Dependable Hawaiian Express purchased carbon offsets - investments in national and global projects that reduce carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases. Each offset “neutralizes” the impact of one metric ton of carbon emissions.

DHX-Dependable Hawaiian Express has contracted for carbon audits since 2012 to measure and manage their emissions, but 2019 is the first year they decided to operate their warehouses on a carbon neutral basis.

When asked why, company President, Brad Dechter responded:

“We are all stewards of our environment, particularly those of us managing companies that require significant energy to operate. Hence, we have a responsibility to be as environmentally friendly as possible.

All of our larger facilities are solar powered and we continue to invest in truck technology to reduce emissions. Purchasing carbon offsets to run our four warehouses carbon free in 2019 was the next logical step. It's the right thing to do for our environment, for the customers who use our warehouses and for our children and all future generations.”

The carbon offsets purchased were from Carbon Footprint, Ltd's global portfolio and include projects like windfarms, hydroelectric power and reforestation.

The carbon audits were conducted by GreenWay Miles, Ltd.

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