Are you seeing red yet over “going green?” Seems like every time you turn around, somebody or something else is going green or even yellow in certain cases — since the astronauts are now recycling urine!

What’s behind all this shifting corporate philosophy, and how does it affect Procurement and logistics?

Well, it ain’t love for Mother Nature. (Big surprise, huh?)

As is so often the case, the force behind “going green” in logistics is a different kind of green. Some folks even call it cabbage. 

It’s money.

At least that’s the conclusion of the 2008 Trends in Transportation and Issues in Logistics and Transportation Report.

The top 5 drivers behind “going green,” according to the report:

1. Priority of CEO
2. Reduce costs
3. Pressure from customers/consumers
4. Improve public relations, and
5. (drum roll, please) Reduce or eliminate hazardous or toxic materials

Well, the good news is that direction is coming from the top. Also, the environment did manage to make the top 5 list.

Going green often can go hand-in-hand with saving money. For instance, many shipping materials — from Styrofoam peanuts to pallets — are good for more than one use, but a lot of businesses are still dumping them.

It won’t cost you a penny to brainstorm with Procurement and logistics staffers for other ways to “go green” — in both senses of the words.

Tags: CEO, costs, customers, logistics, pallets, procurement