Incorporate the tenets of Lean Management into warehouse design. Racking supply, rack repair, rack relocation, rack installation, rack protection, material handling equipment, and dock repair, all in one place.
When it comes to waste management, choosing the best warehouse trash receptacle is crucial. Two popular options on the market are the RackSack and the traditional injection-molded resin trash cans. Both options have their pros and cons, so let’s compare them to help you make an informed decision.
Is the RackSack the Best Warehouse Trash Receptacle?
RackSacks are a newer type of trash receptacle that attach directly to a pallet rack. They are designed to save floor space and make waste management more efficient. RackSacks are typically made of heavy-duty plastic, which makes them durable and long-lasting. They come in various sizes, making them suitable for different types of waste and different industries.
Pros:
Less expensive: RackSacks are less than half the cost of traditional injection-molded resin trash cans. Therefore, you can afford to place twice as many RackSacks around the warehouse.
Space-saving design: RackSacks attach to the pallet rack, saving floor space and allowing for more storage.
Easy installation: They can be installed in minutes without any additional hardware or tools.
Durable: RackSacks are made of heavy-duty plastic that can withstand wear and tear and resist punctures.
Customizable: RackSacks come in different sizes and can be customized with different waste symbols, logos, and colors.
Light weight: RackSacks are lightweight and can easily be emptied by employees of weaker physical strength, such as older warehouse cleaners of small-stature females.
Cons:
Lower capacity: RackSacks are designed to hold smaller quantities of trash compared to the largest traditional warehouse trash can.
Is the Traditional Injection-molded Resin Trash Can the Best Warehouse Trash Receptacle?
Traditional injection-molded resin trash cans are a classic option for waste management. They are made of injection molded plastic resin and come in different shapes and sizes. Traditional trash cans are suitable for different industries and can be used indoors or outdoors.
Pros:
Large capacity: traditional injection-molded resin trash cans come in various sizes and can hold large volumes of waste.
Durable: They are made of high-quality plastic or metal, making them sturdy and long-lasting.
Customizable: traditional injection-molded resin trash cans can be customized with company logos or colors. For example, Home Depot has hundreds of orange trash cans placed all around their warehouses, reflecting their company color.
Accessibility: They are designed for easy access and can be made in various sizes allowing for accessibility by employees of different heights.
Cons:
Floor space: traditional injection-molded resin trash cans take up floor space, which may be a disadvantage for smaller warehouses or facilities.
Damage: They often can get hit by forklifts and material handling equipment, which will damage them and create sharp corners.
Heavy: 55-gallon trash can weigh approximately 20-25 pounds when it is empty. That can add a lot for someone of smaller or weaker physical stature to lift and empty when filled with trash.
Expensive: traditional injection-molded resin trash cans be expensive, requiring an investment of up to $120 + freight each.
Conclusion – The Best Trash Receptacle
Both RackSacks and traditional injection-molded resin trash cans have their pros and cons. RackSacks are ideal for space-saving and efficient waste management, while traditional injection-moulded resin trash cans are suitable for larger volumes and easy accessibility. Ultimately, the decision depends on the specific needs of your warehouse or facility to determine which is the best trash receptacle for your operation. Consider factors such as budget, size, waste volume, accessibility, and maintenance before making your choice.
Pallet rack column guards are an excellent investment. Warehouses are high-traffic environments where forklifts and other heavy equipment are used daily to move goods around. This makes it essential to prioritize the safety and security of both employees and equipment. One way to achieve this is by investing in protective equipment like rack protection devices that protect the pallet rack columns from impacts.
Pallet rack column guards are designed to protect your pallet racks from accidental collisions that can cause significant damage to your equipment. These guards are made of heavy-duty materials and are designed to withstand the toughest conditions. They are available in various sizes and can be customized to fit your pallet rack configuration.
Here are some key benefits of investing in column guards for pallet racking:
Reduced Maintenance Costs with Rack Protection
Pallet racks can be costly to repair or replace if they are damaged. By installing pallet rack column guards, you can reduce the frequency of repairs and maintenance needed on your pallet racks. This translates into cost savings and a more efficient operation.
The cost to repair a pallet rack column costs more than just the price of a replacement upright. In addition to the racking upright replacement costs, which can range from $175 to $400 plus freight each, you must also calculate in the labor to remove the surrounding pallets, remove the beams, remove the damaged upright, replace the upright, reset the beam locations and re-anchor the baseplates. Finally, the pallets must be put back into place. You should budget up to $1000 per damaged upright being replaced in parts, labor, lost productivity, and freight.
Compare that significant maintenance cost to an investment of less than $50 per upright for a column protector.
Improved Safety with Upright Column Guards
A damaged pallet rack can be a significant safety hazard in a warehouse. Installing pallet rack column guards can help prevent accidents and injuries by providing a physical barrier between the rack and equipment. Rack column guards like Rack Armour with a foam insert absorb some of energy from the impact of a collision, minimizing damage and protecting both the racking equipment, lift truck, and employees.
Increased Productivity by Reducing Rack Impact Damage
By reducing the frequency of pallet rack damage, you can ensure that your warehouse operations continue to run smoothly without interruptions. This can help improve productivity and efficiency in your warehouse, leading to a more profitable business.
What is the lost time expense of damaging a pallet rack column? You must consider the lost time required to report the incident, tag out / lock out the damaged racking, remove the surround pallets and place them elsewhere, call a racking repair company for a rack repair, schedule an inspection of the damaged rack, request funds to complete the repair, schedule a crew to repair the racking, and retrain the forklift operator to be more careful in the future. All of these cost time, which will reduce a warehouse or distribution center’s productivity.
Versatility of Upright Protectors
Pallet rack column guards are available in various sizes and can be customized to fit your specific pallet rack configuration. They can be installed on both new and existing pallet racks, making them a versatile and flexible solution.
Cost-effective Rack Protection
Investing in pallet rack column guards is a cost-effective way to protect your pallet racks. By preventing damage to your equipment, you can save money in the long run by reducing repair and replacement costs. In addition, time lost to the inconvenience of having a damaged upright column is significant.
In conclusion, investing in pallet rack column guards is a smart move if you want to keep your warehouse safe and secure. They reduce maintenance costs, increase safety, and improve productivity. Upright column guards are versatile and cost-effective, making them an excellent investment for any warehouse looking to protect its equipment and employees.
Don’t wait any longer – protect your rack with pallet rack column guards today and enjoy the benefits of a safer and more efficient warehouse operation.
Buy Rack Protection Column Guards
Click below to buy different options in pallet rack column guards and other impact prevention products.
If you have a storage area in which you want to install pallet racking, you need to get your dimensions right and design the pallet racking for the electric pallet stacker correctly. This calculator and guide will help you. Of course online calculators are fun, but you should still check with us to discuss the best storage design to work with your electric pallet stacker.
Calculate the number of pallets you can store in your storage area using an electric stacker
Use this calculator by entering in the data in each the data input boxes below. Compare two scenarios to test different storage designs.
Pallet Rack Calculator for Electric Stackers
This pallet rack calculator will estimate as close as possible the number of pallets you can store, the height of each beam level, and number of racking components you will need.
When designing a pallet storage warehouse that will use an electric stacker, there are several important considerations to keep in mind. Here are some key things to consider:
Things to consider when designing pallet racking for an electric pallet stacker
Dimensions of the pallets: You need to know the length and width of the pallet. Electric stackers straddle the width of the palletized load, so you will need to have an electric stacker that has a wide enough baseleg opening.
Height of the pallet: You will need to know the height of the palletized load. This will allow you know to calculate the height of the first beam level and each subsequent beam levels.
Lift off: You will need to know how much space you need to lift the pallet off the ground or the beam level to take it off the level for removal.
Beam dimensions: You will need to know how tall the face of the beam is.
Baseplate widths: You need to know how wide the baseplate is so that you can calculate a long enough beam to keep the baselegs away from the anchors.
Staddle baseleg widths: You will need to know how wide the baselegs are. Remember, you need enough space for three baselegs per bay of racking (2 pallets wide).
Upright column widths: You need to know how wide the column is – usually 3″ or 4″.
Length of the storage area: To calculate the length of the row of racking, you will need to how long the pallet storage area is.
Lift heights: You need to know lift height of electric stacker to be sure it has adequate forkl elevation to lift a pallet off of the top load beam.
Load capacity of the electric stacker: You will also need to know the load capacity of the electric stacker. This will determine the maximum weight of the pallets that can be stored and moved in the warehouse.
Storage density requirements: The next thing you need to consider is the storage density required. This will determine the height of the storage racks and the aisle widths needed for the electric stacker to operate efficiently. Generally, narrow aisle racking systems are used to maximize storage density.
Floor surface: The floor surface of the warehouse should be flat and even to ensure the safe and efficient operation of the electric stacker. Uneven surfaces can cause instability and damage to the equipment.
Lighting and ventilation: Adequate lighting and ventilation are important for the safety and productivity of workers using the electric pallet stacker equipment.
Power supply: You will also need to ensure that the warehouse has adequate power supply to support the electric stacker and any other equipment that will be used in the warehouse. Usually, you will need 110v single phase power for the charger.
Safety features: Finally, you should ensure that the electric stacker has appropriate safety features such as emergency stop buttons, backup alarms, and warning lights to prevent accidents and injuries. Additionally, training programs should be implemented for the safe operation of the electric stacker.
Design a storage area for a reach truck using the straddle method
You can also use this calculator to calculate the correct beam length for a reach truck application using the straddle method. The principles are the same. The difference is that Reach trucks have wide baseleg straddle arms. The can also lift higher in the area.
The downside to reach truck is they are bigger, need a wider aisle, are much more expensive, and require a drivers license in many jurisdictions to operate.
Buy Electric Stacker Online
Click below to buy (or find out more about) the EOSLift Electric Stacker. It is available online in our warehouse supply store.
Calculate the AQMD Rule 2305 mitigation fees you will owe at the end of the year based on the size of your warehouse and the number of visits by diesel trucks. The free online calculator is provided below as a service to our readers.
Why read this article and use this AQMD Rule 2305 Fee Calculator
This online calculator calculates the charges resulting from the new South Coast Air Quality Management District Rule 2305 that measures the square feet of a facility, counts the number of diesel truck visits, and estimates the mitigation fees you will owe at the end of the year. It provides a background on the AQMD rule 2305 and explains important relevant terms.
Introduction to AQMD Rule 2305
You may have heard about the South Coast Air Quality Management District Rule 2305 otherwise known as the Warehouse Indirect Source Rule (ISR). It was adopted on May 7, 2021
The rule requires warehouses greater than 100,000 square feet to directly reduce nitrogen oxide (NOx) and diesel particulate matter (PM) emissions, or to otherwise facilitate emission and exposure reductions of these pollutants in nearby communities.
The AQMD warehouse rule 2305 is a menu-based points system requiring warehouse operators to annually earn a specified number of points. These points can be earned by completing actions from a menu that can include acquiring and using natural gas, Near-Zero Emissions and/or Zero-Emissions on-road trucks, zero-emission cargo handling equipment, solar panels, or zero-emission charging and fueling infrastructure, or other options.
Alternatively, warehouse operators can choose to pay a mitigation fee. Funds from the mitigation fee will be used to incentivize the purchase of cleaner trucks and charging/fueling infrastructure in communities nearby.
This guide is designed to assist warehouse operators to understand the new rule and anticipate future mitigation fees. Also, strategies are provided to avoid paying the fee and instead invest in the warehouse operation in a practical way.
South Coast Air Quality Management District Rule 2305 – diesel trucks visiting a warehouse
What you need to know about Air Quality Management District Rule 2305
To calculate the South Coast Air Quality Management District’s new rule 2305, you will need to know the following:
The total square footage of your warehouse
The number of diesel truck visits per year
WATTs score
WAIRE points earned
Annual WAIRE Points Compliance Obligation (WPCO)
The WAIRE program stringency factor by year and warehouse size
Although, the rule is fairly straightforward, understanding the terms is necessary to perform the calculation and understand the possible fees owed starting in the year 2022.
Does Rule 2305 Apply to my Operation?
A warehouse operator who has a building with at least 100,000 square feet of floor area and 50,000 square feet are used for warehousing is required to report diesel truck visits, and earn WAIRE points or pay mitigation fees.
To determine the square footage of your warehouse, take the length of the warehouse and multiply it by the width of your warehouse. If it is greater than 100,000 and the at least half is used for warehousing activities, you are subject to Rule 2305.
South Coast Air Quality Management District Rule 2305 – diesel truck pollution
Background of the South Coast AQMD Rule 2305
On 7 May, the South Coast Air Quality Management Area (South Coast AQMD) adopted Regulation 2305 (the “Regulation”) which aims to regulate nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions and diesel particulate associated with truck traffic at warehouses. The Regulation will significantly increase compliance costs for warehouse operators in the South Coast Air Basin, requiring operators to achieve compliance through mechanisms such as green projects or discount taxes. The South Coast AQMD estimates that the Regulation will affect approximately 4,000 warehouses in the South Coast Air Basin, with an estimated total compliance cost of $979 million per year. The first report required by warehouse operators under the regulation will be on September 1, 2021. The Regulation does not regulate emissions directly from warehouses or any other sources but does impose requirements on facilities such as indirect sources of contaminants as a result of over-the-road commercial trucks and other vehicle emissions occurring at these facilities. The Regulation specifically applies to sources of distribution centers greater than or equal to 100,000 square feet of interior floor in the same building, existing or new, anywhere within the jurisdiction of the South Coast AQMD. South Coast AQMD stated that they generally expect the implementation of Rule 2305 to reduce the level of emissions in the form of smog from sources associated with over-the-road trucks visiting warehouses by 10% to 15%.
The AQMD Rule 2305 Compliance Obligation
Under the Rule, the South Coast AQMD requires warehouse and distribution center operators to perform a number of actions to achieve a sufficient number of points to meet a calculated compliance obligation. The “Warehouse Operations and Investment to Reduce Emissions (WAIRE) Compliance Points” are measured according to a set of specific formulas. Operators must submit a WAIRE plan application with their specific plan to collect points to meet the calculated obligation each year through the implementation of various specific actions. Points earned come from investments and expenditures on zero-emission vehicles and infrastructure. In some cases, WAIRE points can be banked or transferred to other organizations under the same operational control for compliance purposes, thus eliminating the need to make multiple investments over different facilities. Alternatively, a warehouse operation may choose to pay a mitigation fee instead ($ 1,000 per WAIRE point).
South Coast AQMD says it will use the proceeds of mitigation fees to encourage the purchase of cleaner trucks and to support investment in zero-emissions fuel infrastructure in nearby communities. Reporting requirements include an initial report on on-site information like warehouse square footage and WAIRE annual reports that include information on truck travel and earned WAIRE points.
The Implementation Schedule for the AQMD Rule 2305
The AQMD Rule 2305 introduces a three-year phase-in period, applied first to the largest distribution centers as a priority. The proposed rule will require compliance based on the size of the facility and is as follows:
2022: Warehouses equal to or greater than 250,00 square feet
2023: Warehouses equal to or greater than 150,00 square feet
2024: Warehouses equal to or greater than 100,00 square feet
Weighted Annual Truck Trips (WATTS)– definition
All truck trips (to or from the warehouse) occurring over the 12-month compliance period
If more than one operator occupied the warehouse, then WATTS is calculated individually for each operator
Class 2b to 7 truck trips = All trucks or tractors entering or exiting a warehouse truck gate(s) or driveway(s) that are truck Class 2b, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7. If truck class information is not available, Class 2b to 7 trucks are all straight trucks that entered or exited a warehouse truck gate(s) or driveway(s)
Actual truck trip data to the warehouse must be collected by the warehouse operator using methods that contemporaneously record verifiable truck trips.
Warehouse Actions and Investments to Reduce Emissions (WAIRE)– definition
WAIRE Points will be earned for the actions/investments completed each compliance period and only for the portion of the year that a warehouse operator occupies a warehouse
WAIRE Points must be earned only for warehouse operators in buildings with ≥100,000 square feet dedicated to warehousing activities, and who operate at least 50,000 square feet of the warehouse
Warehouse operators must earn points every 12-month compliance period
AQMD Rule 2305 WATT points and mitigation fee calculator
This is just an estimator and is offered as a guide only. Please consult the AQMD for specific guidance pertaining to your individual warehouse operations.
How to Earn WAIRE points and Avoid Paying the Rule 2305 Mitigation Fees
To earn WAIRE points and avoid paying the AQMD Rule 2305 mitigation fees, there are a number of things a warehouse operator can d. The WAIRE “menu” of actions was developed for PR 2305. WAIRE points from this menu can only be earned for “surplus” actions, that “go beyond existing federal and state regulations already applicable.” Under the WAIRE point menu, there are nine categories of actions a business can take to avoid paying the rule 2305 mitigation fees.
At the time of writing this article and publishing this calculator, the WAIRE menu options available to facilities to gain WAIRE points and meet their annual WPCOs is as follows:
Zero-emissions (ZE) and near-zero-emissions (NZE) truck acquisitions and usage
ZE and NZE truck visits from a non-owned fleet
Electric vehicle charger acquisition and usage
Hydrogen filling station acquisition and usage
ZE yard truck acquisition and usage
Solar panel acquisition and usage
High-efficiency filter systems acquisition and replacement filters
Transport refrigeration unit plug acquisition and usage
Pay mitigation fee
For more detail on the WAIRE points menu, including the point values for each action taken, read the South Coast AQMD’s Technical Report here.
Environmental Justice Implications for AQMD Rule 2305
With e-commerce booming during the pandemic economy, rapidly growing numbers of warehouses, and, by connection, expanding distribution channels that support them, will likely become the focus of more intense scrutiny by environmental justice communities and advocates – as well as that of the Biden Administration. By targeting air emissions stemming from activities associated with warehouses, including indirect source emissions resulting from freight trucks driving to and from warehouses, the Rule begins to address the longstanding concerns of neighboring environmental justice communities who often face the most direct impacts.
Potential Legal Challenges to Rule 2305
The Rule may be subject to legal challenge, which could potentially stay its implementation. For example, the Rule requires a warehouse to install solar energy panels, but that will not do anything to significantly reduce diesel truck emissions or ambient ozone concentrations created by truck activities. Several concerns were also raised that the mitigation fee included in the rule is an unlawful special tax. Environmental groups commented that the Rule is not sufficiently stringent to protect communities neighboring industry. South Coast AQMD was also required to comply with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) for adoption of the Rule, and determined that in several areas, environmental impacts would be significant. Given the broad swath of competing comments, and the tendency for CEQA to invite litigation, a challenge may be imminent. For now, distribution warehouses subject to South Coast AQMD’s Rule 2305 should consider evaluating the limited exemptions, preparing a compliance strategy, and planning based on the implementation schedule provided in Table 2 of the approved Rule. Affected warehouse operators should also begin preparing the first reports due under the Rule on September 1, 2021.
The rule may be subject to legal objections that may apply. For example, the change requires the installation of solar panels in a warehouse, but this does not contribute to the reduction of emissions from Class 2b-Class 8 over-the-road (OTR) trucks or to environmental ozone levels generated by transport truck activities. Concerns have also been raised that the mitigation fee included in the rule is an unlawful special tax. Environmental groups said the rule is not strict enough to protect the environment of neighboring communities. The South Coast AQMD was also asked to comply with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) before the adoption of the rule, and concluded that the environmental impact would be significant in a number of areas. Given the broad swath of competing comments, and the tendency for CEQA to invite litigation, a challenge may be forthcoming. For now, distribution warehouses subject to South Coast AQMD’s Rule 2305 should start preparing a compliance strategy based on the implementation schedule noted above. Distribution centers equal to or larger than 250,000 will need to complete a warehouse operations notification and submit it by September 1, 2021
South Coast Air Quality Management District Rule 2305: Warehouse Indirect Source Rule Implementation Schedule
Compare LPG forklift to hydrogen forklift. To understand the fuel and maintenance savings available by switching from a propane (LPG) forklift to a hydrogen forklift, calculate your savings below. Our savings calculator will help identify the costs of running a propane forklift compared to a hydrogen fuel cell forklift. Your savings are based on the information you provide and some key industry data points.
Propane Forklift
Propane forklifts are a very popular PIT (powered industrial forklift) in the United States. The reason is that the forklift is inexpensive to buy and easy to refuel. But most warehouse managers do not realize that the cost of forklift maintenance and the cost of fuel is far higher than an electric forklift that is equipped with a hydrogen fuel cell.
Toyota Propane Forklifts
Electric Forklifts Equipped with Hydrogen Fuel Cells
Compare LPG forklift to hydrogen forklift. Calculate your maintenance and fuel-saving below. You will find that LPG forklifts are far more expensive to run than electric forklifts powered by hydrogen fuel cells.
Plug Power Sells Hydrogen Fuel Cells for Forklifts
Plug Power calls their fuel cells for forklifts, GenDrives.
GenDrive hydrogen fuel cells are designed specifically with material handling power in mind. As a drop-in replacement, our units fit into an existing electric lift truck’s battery compartment as a one-to-one battery replacement.
Fuel cells for forklifts allow you to drive productivity and streamline operations while maximizing forklift fleet uptime. They are also a good approach for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in warehousing.
