If your business ships meat, produce, or other goods that need to stay cold, a refrigerated transport company can help you. There are a range of companies offering these services, and to ensure the company you select is in line with your needs, you may want to compare a few different options.
In particular, if environmentalism and saving energy are important to you, here are some of the criteria you should consider:
1. Strategic Route Planning
To reduce the amount of fuel used to transport your goods, you want to select a refrigerated transport company who plans its routes strategically. For example, it wastes energy to fill a truck half way and drive a circuitous route to the destination. When looking at companies, ask which methods they use to coordinate shipments, routes and drivers to get goods to their locations using the least amount of fuel possible.
2. Position on CO2 Emissions
Additionally, ask the company about its position on CO2 emissions. Does it use small trucks when possible? Does it track its CO2 output and take steps to lower it? Does it urge drivers to use fuel efficient driving strategies?
3. Refrigerants and Global Warming
In addition to the CO2 generated by the trucks, also talk with the company about what type of refrigerants it uses. This can also have a huge impact on CO2 emissions. For example, R-452A is a relatively new option, and it provides a 45% reduction in global warming potential compared to R404A, a long time popular option.
4. Temperature Control
The more accurate the temperature is in a refrigerated truck, the safer your goods are and the more likely they are to stay in ideal condition. As a result, you want to work with a company that has accurate refrigeration controls.
This also helps from an environmental standpoint because it reduces wasted energy. For example, imagine one company has a refrigerated trailer with a 2 degree margin of error, while another company has a unit with a 0.1 degree margin of error. The first unit may run at cooler temperatures than you need, wasting energy. In contrast, if the other unit is running at a slightly lower temperature, the difference is relatively miniscule so there's less wasted energy.
5. Insulation
Finally, talk with the transporter about how insulated their trucks are. In particular, talk about what methods the company uses to keep the front and the back of the trailer cool. These are the parts that are most likely to lose cool air which can lead to wasted energy.
