Building a Greener Supply Chain: Key Practices in Green Logistics You Need to Know

Sustainable logistics is no longer just an emerging global trend—it’s a corrective measure essential for businesses to avoid falling behind. Businesses are increasingly embracing green logistics practices, such as switching to an EV fleet, optimizing route planning for lowered fuel consumption, and setting up energy-efficient warehousing. With the Indian government prioritizing waste management, fuel efficiency, and carbon reduction, this shift is more urgent than ever.

With cost-effective solutions to modernise supply chain management, 2025 marks a growing emphasis on higher customer expectations for environment-friendly practices. Here are the key green logistics practices being adopted by businesses across various industries, including consumer goods, durables, automotive, pharmaceuticals, e-commerce, quick commerce, retail, telecom, and more.

Transportation Tailored for Fuel Efficiency

Rising fuel consumption and CO2 emissions underscore the need for a sustainable line of transport. Last-mile delivery backed by EV and hybrid models outweighs the benefits of a standard transportation network. Likewise, natural gas alternatives like CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) and LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) efficiently improvise long-haul transportation.

Bridging this need for fuel efficiency, our green last-mile delivery services offer a fleet of 1500+ EVs (2W, 3W, & 4W), spread across 6000+ pin codes with 70+ charging stations. As part of eDeL, this tech-enabled EV ecosystem assists with battery analytics, replacement identification, preventive maintenance, and visibility.

Green Warehousing for Reduced Energy Consumption

As the foundation of a logistics system, warehousing and distribution contribute to heightened energy consumption and carbon emissions. However, businesses are increasingly investing in green warehousing solutions, such as modern waste management mechanisms, energy-efficient models, and renewable energy sourcing.

With Mahindra Logistics, every sustainable practice is accessible under the same roof – from liquid discharge management, solar panels for energy consumption, EV charging stations, GreenHive – a dashboard analysing progress of all these sustainability measures, and other energy efficient practices, all while maintaining operational excellence.

Technologically Advancing Your Sustainable Practices

Smartening supply chain systems can coincide with sustainability and efficiency when done the right way. For instance, AI’s accurate predictability can boost analytics, optimizing the way operations are handled. By using real-time GPS tracking or delivery updates, the speculative nature of AI or machine learning allows businesses to spot traffic congestion, combine deliveries, and speed up order fulfilment. This not only helps plan better routes but also reduces fuel consumption. Our user-friendly platform – eDeL-EAR, renders insights on real-time visualisation of carbon footprints and shipment-level scope 3 emissions, promoting sustainability through the distribution process.

Furthermore, LogiOpt is our strategic application that aids businesses with route optimisation, loading plans, and optimising vehicle carrying capacity. It streamlines and evaluates each pallet in the packing, picking, and shipping processes for varied industry requirements.

On the other hand, Internet of Things (IoT) based sensors can monitor real-time power consumption in warehouses or trace emissions caused throughout transportation. Ultimately, businesses incorporating these tech-savvy green logistics solutions could excel operationally and reduce inventory costs. That isn’t all; declining wastage of energy and other visible advantages rendered such technological integrations as a saving grace.

Redesigning Packaging with a Greener Perspective

Consumers across all age demographics tend to prefer sustainable packaging and are also willing to pay for the same. A minimalistic, biodegradable, and reused container can compound the positive environmental impact by cutting down excessive layers of packaging. Logistics and sustainability go hand in hand when companies like Mahindra Logistics continue to adopt green packaging alternatives.

Overcoming the Challenges

The switch to sustainable logistics is a fruitful one, but it encompasses its set of challenges. For beginners, the sudden drift in operations may seem arduous, especially when managed in-house. This is where 3PL logistics companies in India, like Mahindra Logistics, step in and tailor solutions that merge smart logistics and sustainability goals.

Our Green Logistics Ecosystem – eDeL, embodies a fleet comprising 1500+ EVs and institutes 4 million square feet of green warehouses, powered by renewable solar energy. Following suit to this system is eDeL-EAR, an innovative way to visualise real-time carbon footprint. A platform that measures Scope 3 emissions and other viable analytics, navigating decarbonisation roadmaps and helping businesses make informed decisions in their journey to net-zero emissions.

Staying competitive and environmentally responsible is no longer a choice—it’s an imperative decision for businesses. The future belongs to those Igniting Sustainability while ensuring supply chain efficiency. Our green logistics solutions help you achieve both—seamlessly and strategically. Get in touch at enquiries@mahindralogistics.com to transform your logistics for a greener tomorrow.