Chicago's Leader in Warehousing and Distribution, Presents its Blog:

By James McLaren, Senior Editor, PPI Pulp & Paper Week, RISI

SAN FRANCISCO, June 7, 2010 (RISI) - Canada will provide C$995,000 to Domtar for an environmental project at the company's Espanola, ON, pulp and paper mill under the government's Pulp and Paper Green Transformation Program (PPGTP).

The mill will install a refurbished wood waste grinder that will allow it to process bark more effectively for the production of renewable energy.

"This project is part of a transformation that is taking place in Canada's forest industry," said Minister of Natural Resources Christian Paradis. "The Green Transformation Program is helping Canada's pulp and paper sector become more environmentally sustainable by supporting investments in green technologies. This investment is also increasing the mill's capacity to improve its environmental performance and produce clean energy, while providing important forest products for consumers."

The refurbished equipment will enable the Espanola mill to grind more bark with greater efficiency and produce a finer bark product that burns better, eliminating the need for secondary grinding of bark, which is currently done by a diesel-powered portable grinder. In turn, the mill will eliminate the consumption of diesel fuel associated with the portable grinder and displace consumption of natural gas by generating more renewable energy to power the facility.

These operational efficiencies will help the mill reduce its greenhouse gas emissions and meet market demand for sustainably manufactured pulp and paper products, the government said in a press release. Espanola produces market pulp and uncoated freesheet paper.

Domtar is one of 24 pulp and paper companies across Canada that qualified for credits under the C$1-billion program, based on their 2009 production levels of black liquor, a liquid by-product of the pulping process used to generate heat and power.

Domtar has also gained PPGTP funding of C$58 million for a project at its Kamloops, BC, mill and C$23 million for its Dryden, ON, mill. Other PPGTP funding includes C$22 million for J.D. Irving at its Utopia, NB, mill; C$15 million for West Fraser's Hinton, AB, mill, and C$810,000 for Tolko Industries' mill in The Pas, MB.

Neill Cartage and Warehouse is Chicago's premier full service logistics, warehousing, and distribution company.  Servicing the Midwest since 1946. 

 

There seems to be a lot of talk in the logistics sector to "go green".  If you read the trade journals you will see a lot of information and discussions on green initiatives in trucking, shipping, ports, and warehousing.  First, you must understand there is a very big difference between "going green," and what I call a lot of "green talk," where companies promote themselves and environmentally friendly but really aren't.  With that being said Neill Cartage and Warehouse has taken several actions to become Chicago's green public warehouse.

What sorts of things will you find in one of these green warehouses?

Here are a few of the things Neill Cartage and Warehouse has done or is doing become Chicago's green public warehouse.

Materials and pallets:

New materials other than wood for pallets seem to last longer, are stronger and more easily recycled. 

Neill Cartage and Warehouse uses reuseable plastic pallets.

Paperless Tracking:

The logistics sector uses a ton of paper, but as their IT systems become better, things are now being tracked electronically, without much paper involved. Any logistics company that claims to be green must reduce the paperwork too.

Neill's, Chicago Warehouse, has recently installed a new tracking system which allows them to work almost in a paperless environment. 

Solar power:

Warehouses are perfectly suited for solar power due to the large amount of roof space. Now that solar panels are more efficient and less costly, this is a must for any green warehouse plan.

Neill's warehouse in Chicago is currently discussing putting solar panels on the roof with their energy company.  We will have more to blog about this matter in a few weeks! 

Lighting:

Use LED ultra-low wattage light bulbs, some as low as 3 watts or less.  Turning light off when they are not needed.  Also use sky lights to provide natural light through out the building.

Neill's, Chicago warehouse, was designed to use natural light to provide most of its lighting.  We have sky lights in every other bay that provide plenty of natural light.  All of our light bulbs are LED ultra-low wattage.   

Hydrogen cell Fork Lifts:

If we are truly worried about CO2 emissions and the air quality for the workers in warehouses why not move to hydrogen cell forklifts. Many warehouses have converted to electric units, but hydrogen cell seems really leading edge.

Neill's next fork lift purchase will mostly likely be an electric unit.  We currently are operating propane powered fork lifts, but would like to start using something a little more green. 

If you have any suggestions for Chicago's green public warehouse we would love to hear them.  We are always looking for more efficient ways to go green.