Minimizing the carbon footprint of material handling equipment: Comparison of electric and LPG forklifts
Abstract: The aim of this
study is to identify the best Material Handling Equipment (MHE) to minimize the
carbon footprint of inbound logistic activities, based on the type of the
warehouse (layout, facilities and order-picking strategy) as well as the weight
of the loads to be handled.
Design/methodology/approach: A model to select the best environmental MHE
for inbound logistic activities has been developed. Environmental performance
of the MHE has been evaluated in terms of carbon Footprint (CF). The model is
tested with a tool adopting a VBA macro as well as a simulation software
allowing the evaluation of energy and time required by the forklift in each
phase of the material handling cycle: picking, sorting and storing of the
items.
Findings: Nowadays, it is not possible to identify ‘a priori’ a
particular engine equipped forklift performing better than others under an
environmental perspective. Consistently, the application of the developed model
allows to identify the best MHE tailored to each case analyzed.
Originality/value: This work gives a contribution to the disagreement
between environmental performances of forklifts equipped with different
engines. The developed model can be considered a valid support for decision
makers to identify the best MHE minimizing the carbon footprint of inbound
logistic activities.
Author: Francesco Facchini,
Giovanni Mummolo, Giorgio Mossa, Salvatore Digiesi, Francesco Boenzi, Rossella
Verriello
Journal Code: jptindustrigg160051
