Sustainable Warehousing with Fabric Structures

February 10, 2021   

The goal for many businesses in 2021 is to try to become more sustainable and environmentally friendly, and warehouses are no exception. Warehouses are becoming more innovative in their attempts at being eco-friendly, turning to options like automation and retrofitting to become greener. What many operations may be overlooking, though, is the structure itself.

In an article from Freight Waves entitled “5 Warehousing Sustainability Trends for 2021,” author Alyssa Sporrer states that features like renewable energy and recyclable materials are the future of warehousing. These things are important, but there is an easier way for warehouses to be more sustainable. Fabric structures may be the key for the warehousing industry to become more environmentally friendly.

Fabric structures are sustainable and environmentally friendly building options, and are well suited for warehousing applications. The clear span design has no internal support posts, allowing for maximum usable space. This is an especially important feature for warehouses, where storage space must be abundant and equipment must be able to easily move throughout the building.

For added storage, fabric structures can be built directly onto shipping containers, which is a great option for warehouses that need extra space. They can also be built on a poured concrete foundation, providing a smooth surface for equipment and vehicles to drive over. ClearSpan offers numerous foundation options, many of which do not require a large amount of site work. This ensures the environment is minimally impacted by the construction of the warehouse, making the business more environmentally friendly even before it begins to operate.

ClearSpan fabric buildings are energy-efficient, as the fabric cover allows ample natural light to filter into the structure. This reduces the need for supplemental lighting during the day, which reduces utility costs as a result. A well-lit space is essential for warehouses, and fabric structures ensure the entirety of the warehouse is perfectly illuminated, while making the operation more eco-friendly in the process.

Even when the warehouse is taken down, it can still be environmentally friendly. ClearSpan’s 12.5 oz. polyethylene cover is 100 percent recyclable, meaning rather than throwing the used cover away, it can be recycled and used for something else. Recyclability is important when trying to create a sustainable operation, and ClearSpan ensures that a warehouse’s building is sustainable throughout its entire lifecycle.

All in all, fabric structures enable warehouses to become more sustainable and more efficient at the same time. Whether it be the foundation, the building site, energy usage or deconstruction, a ClearSpan Fabric Structure ensures a warehouse will be environmentally friendly as long as it operates—and even after.

To find out how a ClearSpan building can help your operation, call or REQUEST A QUOTE today.