--- title: Sustainability, Cold Storage, and Your Business | Portabull Storage description: “Sustainability” is a word you see often in business discussions these days. It’s used when talking about reducing pollution, emissions… image: https://www.portabull.com/hubfs/Website%20Images/Compressed%20Images%20-%20SEO%20Audit/Sustainability%2c%20Cold%20Storage%2c%20and%20Your%20Business-1.png --- [Skip to the main content.](https://www.portabull.com/blog/sustainability-cold-storage-and-your-business#main-content)   [![Portabull, a WillScot Company](https://www.portabull.com/hs-fs/hubfs/PortabullWillScot%20logo2.png?width=320&height=84&name=PortabullWillScot%20logo2.png)](https://www.portabull.com)  **800-211-7051** [![Portabull, A WillScot Company](https://www.portabull.com/hs-fs/hubfs/PortabullWillScot%20logo2.png?width=1494&height=394&name=PortabullWillScot%20logo2.png "Portabull, A WillScot Company")](https://www.portabull.com) - [Temporary Cold Storage](https://www.portabull.com/electric-reefers) - [10' Container](https://www.portabull.com/rentals/10ft-container) - [20' Container](https://www.portabull.com/rentals/20ft-container) - [40' Container](https://www.portabull.com/rentals/40ft-container) - 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[Temporary Cold Storage](https://www.portabull.com/electric-reefers) - [10' Container](https://www.portabull.com/rentals/10ft-container) - [20' Container](https://www.portabull.com/rentals/20ft-container) - [40' Container](https://www.portabull.com/rentals/40ft-container) - [53' Trailer](https://www.portabull.com/rentals/53ft-trailer/) - [Cool-Down Rooms](https://www.portabull.com/rentals/cooler-rooms/) - [What is Temporary Cold Storage?](https://www.portabull.com/what-is-temporary-cold-storage) - [Services](https://www.portabull.com/services) - [Cold Storage Capacity](https://www.portabull.com/cold-storage-capacity/) - [Electrical Requirements](https://www.portabull.com/electrical-requirements-needed-at-your-application/) - [Industries Served](https://www.portabull.com/industries-served) - [Bakeries](https://www.portabull.com/industries-served/bakeries/) - [Breweries](https://www.portabull.com/industries-served/breweries/) - [Chemicals](https://www.portabull.com/industries-served/chemicals/) - [Farmers' Markets](https://www.portabull.com/industries-served/farmers-markets/) - [Fisheries](https://www.portabull.com/industries-served/fisheries/) - [Florists](https://www.portabull.com/industries-served/floral/) - [Food & Beverage](https://www.portabull.com/industries-served/food-and-beverage) - [Grocers](https://www.portabull.com/industries-served/grocery-stores/) - [Hospitals](https://www.portabull.com/industries-served/hospitals-and-healthcare-facilities/) - [Meat Processors](https://www.portabull.com/industries-served/meat/) - [Pharmaceuticals](https://www.portabull.com/industries-served/pharmaceutical/) - [Restaurants](https://www.portabull.com/industries-served/restaurants/) - [Wineries](https://www.portabull.com/industries-served/wineries/) - [Why Portabull?](https://www.portabull.com/about-us/why-choose-portabull/) - [About Us](https://www.portabull.com/about-us/) - [FAQs](https://www.portabull.com/general) - [Electrical Requirements Needed at Your Application](https://www.portabull.com/electrical-requirements-needed-at-your-application/) - [Diesel vs Electric Cold Storage](https://www.portabull.com/diesel-vs-electric/) - [Cold Storage Capacity](https://www.portabull.com/cold-storage-capacity/) - [Helping You Achieve ESG Goals](https://www.portabull.com/sustainability/) - [Customer Testimonials](https://www.portabull.com/testimonials) - [Blog](https://www.portabull.com/blog) [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/PortabullStorage/) [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/portabullcoldstorage/) [Linkedin](https://www.linkedin.com/company/portabull-storage/) [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgrs8yW9ixup0FF71XGXw_g) 3 min read # Sustainability, Cold Storage, and Your Business [Portabull Storage](https://www.portabull.com/blog/author/portabull-storage) Oct 21, 2024, 12:00:00 AM **Table of Contents** Heading Heading “Sustainability” is a word you see often in business discussions these days. It’s used when talking about reducing pollution, emissions, [landfill diversion](https://fvrecycling.com/blog/the-growing-importance-of-landfill-diversion) and overall environmental impact. It also pops up in discussions about costs and efficiency. Sometimes it refers to hiring practices and community relations.  Basically, “sustainability” appears to be a broad concept. All we know for sure is that everyone wants their business to have more of it. But what does it really mean to operate a sustainable company? ## Sustainability as Intelligent Operations Whether we’re talking about environmental impact, operational efficiency, or human relations, the essence of any sustainable practice is intelligence. In other words, to be sustainable is to be smart.  Take environmental impact, for example. Businesses that consume resources and create waste (i.e., all businesses) have it in their best interests to do so responsibly. Sustainable consumption practices ensure the business will continue to have access to the resources it needs, while sustainable waste management initiatives help keep the environment safe and productive for everyone. That includes reducing packaging waste—businesses generating large volumes of cardboard can benefit from [cardboard balers](https://fvrecycling.com/blog/what-is-a-cardboard-baler-and-how-does-it-work) to compress materials, cut disposal costs, and support landfill diversion goals. An environment that benefits both companies and customers is an environment in which a business can thrive. What that means is those sustainable consumption and waste management policies aren’t just “good” for the sake of being good. It means those policies represent an intelligent investment in the future.  They represent smart business.  With that in mind, let’s look at one area where many businesses struggle to improve their overall sustainability: cold storage. ## Wait, My Cold Storage Isn’t Sustainable? If your business uses [temporary on-site cold storage](https://www.portabull.com/blog/onsite-storage-vs-warehouse), the odds are most of those containers and trailers are [diesel-powered](https://www.portabull.com/diesel-vs-electric/). While temporary units like these might help you keep plenty of extra inventory on-hand, they also cost you in more ways than one.  ### Operating Expenses Here’s what you’ll pay on average to run just one [diesel-powered](https://www.portabull.com/diesel-vs-electric/) cold storage unit:   1. Diesel fuel = $33K/year  2. Fuel deliveries = $14K/year  3. Engine runtime = $13K/year  That adds up to about **$60,000 every year** in operating costs for a single unit. ### Carbon Emissions That same [diesel-powered cold storage unit](https://www.portabull.com/diesel-vs-electric/) will pump **97 tons of carbon** into the atmosphere every year.  With those costs and that amount of waste, diesel-powered cold storage is the opposite of intelligent, sustainable business. ## What is Sustainable Cold Storage? When every single [diesel-powered](https://www.portabull.com/diesel-vs-electric/) cold storage unit you use costs $60K per year to run and produces nearly 100 tons of carbon, that might seem like a disaster in the making. Really, though, it’s a huge opportunity, thanks to the advent of [electric-powered temporary on-site cold storage](https://www.portabull.com/blog/how-do-electric-reefers-work).  Electric-powered cold storage containers and trailers replace [expensive, dirty internal combustion engines](https://www.portabull.com/blog/cold-storage-problems) with efficient, clean electric motors. The largest and most advanced fleet of these next-gen cold storage solutions is leased and serviced by Portabull Cold Storage. By replacing your [outdated diesel](https://www.portabull.com/diesel-vs-electric/) units with new Portabull electrics, here’s how your company stands to benefit: ### Operating Expenses 1. Diesel fuel = $0, ever  2. Fuel deliveries = $0, ever  3. Engine runtime = $0, ever  The only operating expense for your Portabull electric unit is the electricity that powers it, a cost that averages $10K (or less) per year. That means *every* time you switch from a diesel unit to a Portabull electric, **you’re saving $50K per year**. ### Carbon Emissions Whereas one [diesel unit](https://www.portabull.com/diesel-vs-electric/) creates nearly 100 tons of carbon every year, Portabull electrics are responsible for about 25 tons per year, a reduction of over 70%. Along with cutting emissions and fuel costs, electric cold storage offers consistent temperature control—crucial for sensitive goods like food, medical supplies, and pharmaceuticals. Understanding [cold storage temperature ranges](https://www.portabull.com/blog/protecting-product-integrity-with-precise-cold-storage) helps reduce spoilage and supports smarter, more sustainable operations. ## Temporary Electric Cold Storage = Smart, Sustainable Business By saving $50K (or more) for every electric-powered cold storage unit that replaces an [outdated diesel](https://www.portabull.com/diesel-vs-electric/), your business is making intelligent use of the scarce capital resources it needs to use wisely. By cutting 70% from your carbon emissions per unit switched, your business is doing its part to ensure you and your customers can continue to thrive in a mutually beneficial environment.  The only cold storage solutions that deliver those [cost savings](https://www.portabull.com/blog/cost-effective-ways-to-keep-products-cold) and emissions reductions at the same time are provided by Portabull Cold Storage. Since 2008, our advanced containers and trailers have been helping businesses operate more intelligently — and sustainably — to help them thrive. If your current cold storage is holding back your sustainability efforts, [talk to us today](https://www.portabull.com/request-a-quote/).  Discover how Portabull can [boost](https://www.portabull.com/sustainability/)[your company’s ESG strategy here.](https://www.portabull.com/sustainability/)   **Subscribe to our newsletter!** [![Case Study: How Prasek's Saved $10K+ While Boosting Business Growth](https://www.portabull.com/hubfs/Screenshot%202025-04-24%20131931.png)](https://www.portabull.com/blog/case-study-how-prasek-saved-10k-and-boosted-business-growth) #### [Case Study: How Prasek's Saved $10K+ While Boosting Business Growth](https://www.portabull.com/blog/case-study-how-prasek-saved-10k-and-boosted-business-growth) [Portabull Storage](https://www.portabull.com/blog/author/portabull-storage): May 5, 2025, 9:27:42 AM Prasek’s Family Smokehouse has been a staple of Texas tradition since 1974, known for its exceptional smoked meats and fresh-baked delicacies. As the... [Cold Storage Cost Savings](https://www.portabull.com/blog/tag/cold-storage-cost-savings) [Industries Served](https://www.portabull.com/blog/tag/industries-served) [Read More](https://www.portabull.com/blog/case-study-how-prasek-saved-10k-and-boosted-business-growth) [![How to Defrost Your Cold Storage Rental Unit](https://www.portabull.com/hubfs/How%20to%20Defrost%20Your%20Cold%20Storage%20Unit%20-%20blog%20%287%29%20%281%29.png)](https://www.portabull.com/blog/how-to-defrost-your-cold-storage-rental-unit) #### [How to Defrost Your Cold Storage Rental Unit](https://www.portabull.com/blog/how-to-defrost-your-cold-storage-rental-unit) [Portabull Storage](https://www.portabull.com/blog/author/portabull-storage): Apr 14, 2025, 8:15:00 AM Rental cold storage units are great for temporarily expanding climate-controlled storage capacity during periods of high-demand at your business.... [Cold Storage Insights](https://www.portabull.com/blog/tag/cold-storage-insights) [On-site Cold Storage](https://www.portabull.com/blog/tag/on-site-cold-storage) [Read More](https://www.portabull.com/blog/how-to-defrost-your-cold-storage-rental-unit) [![Two Common Problems With Temporary Cold Storage Units](https://www.portabull.com/hubfs/Website%20Images/Compressed%20Images%20-%20SEO%20Audit/Two%20Common%20Problems%20With%20Temporary%20Cold%20Storage%20%281%29.png)](https://www.portabull.com/blog/two-common-problems-with-temporary-cold-storage-units) #### [Two Common Problems With Temporary Cold Storage Units](https://www.portabull.com/blog/two-common-problems-with-temporary-cold-storage-units) [Portabull Storage](https://www.portabull.com/blog/author/portabull-storage): Apr 7, 2025, 8:30:00 AM Temporary on-site cold storage units like the electric- and hybrid-powered options from Portabull are high-performance tools. Bringing 1,000 or so... [Cold Storage Insights](https://www.portabull.com/blog/tag/cold-storage-insights) [On-site Cold Storage](https://www.portabull.com/blog/tag/on-site-cold-storage) [Inventory Protection](https://www.portabull.com/blog/tag/inventory-protection) [Preventative Maintenance](https://www.portabull.com/blog/tag/preventative-maintenance) [Read More](https://www.portabull.com/blog/two-common-problems-with-temporary-cold-storage-units) [![PortabullWillScot logo2](https://www.portabull.com/hs-fs/hubfs/PortabullWillScot%20logo2.png?width=320&height=84&name=PortabullWillScot%20logo2.png)](https://www.portabull.com)   ##### What We Do - [Temporary Cold Storage Rental Units](https://www.portabull.com/electric-reefers) - [Dry Storage Trailers](https://www.portabull.com/rentals/dry-storage-trailers) - [Industries We Serve](https://www.portabull.com/industries-served) ##### Company & Resources - [About Us](https://www.portabull.com/about-us/) - [Careers](https://www.portabull.com/careers/) - [Blog](https://www.portabull.com/blog) - [Customer Testimonials](https://www.portabull.com/testimonials) ##### Get in Touch - [Request a Quote](https://www.portabull.com/request-a-quote) - [Make a Payment](https://portabullstorage-portal.paystand.com/portabull2) - [Call us at (800) 211-7051](tel:+18002117051) - [Privacy Policy](https://www.portabull.com/privacy-policy) - [Terms of Use](https://www.portabull.com/terms-of-use) - [Your Privacy Choices ![Privacy Options](https://www.portabull.com/hubfs/Website%20Icons/privacyoptions.png)](https://www.portabull.com/your-privacy-choices) © 2026 Portabull Storage [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/PortabullStorage/)[Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/portabullcoldstorage/)[Linkedin](https://www.linkedin.com/company/portabull-storage/)[YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgrs8yW9ixup0FF71XGXw_g) Return to top ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Portabull Storage", "url" : "https://www.portabull.com/blog/author/portabull-storage" }, "dateModified" : "2025-05-27T23:53:06.067Z", "datePublished" : "2024-10-21T05:00:00.000Z", "headline" : "Sustainability, Cold Storage, and Your Business | Portabull Storage", "image" : [ "https://www.portabull.com/hubfs/Website%20Images/Compressed%20Images%20-%20SEO%20Audit/Sustainability%2c%20Cold%20Storage%2c%20and%20Your%20Business-1.png" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://www.portabull.com/blog/sustainability-cold-storage-and-your-business", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://www.portabull.com/hubfs/Logos/Primary%20-%20Blue%20-%20Logo.png" }, "name" : "Portabull Storage" } } ```