GREEN LOGISTICS : ECO-FRIENDLY MEASURE IN SUPPLY-CHAIN

Abstract

Green Logistics may be defined as the entire set of efforts taken by organisations to measure and minimize the environmental impact of logistics activities. Among other reasons why companies choose to go green, one major cause is that it gives the company a competitive advantage. Other reasons could be: to reduce traffic congestion, control pollution or to save transportation costs. Logistics is the backbone of globalization process but unfortunately, it takes a toll on the planet. Technological advancements have improved the cost, efficiency and reliability of transportation systems but the negative environmental impacts of transportation have generated much attention and are at the core of issues of sustainability. The term “logistics” denotes the degree of coordination and control over shipments and has become one of the most important developments in transportation. Green has become a buzz word for a range of environmental concerns. When put together, the two words point towards an eco-friendly, efficient transport and distribution system. It describes all attempts to measure and minimize the ecological impact of logistics activities. This includes all activities of forward and reverse flows of products, information and services between the point of origin & point of consumption. This paper is an attempt to look at green logistics from an industry point of view. Doing thus, it is hoped to make the industry see business sense in adopting and implementing eco-friendly measures in their colossal supply chains. A new model supported by adequate literature review has been proposed with an aim to convey to the stakeholders that there is perfect rationale in accepting modern green practices without sacrificing any of their econometric performance indicators. The method adopted is that of analysis of existing literature coupled with a proposal to enhance the efficiency of
the existing traditional supply chain system.