Condensing the supply chain
The pandemic forced us to re-assess our supply chain, which in-turn has brought about some big changes to the impact we make on the environment. Since 2020, we have increased the number of products we source from Europe to around 86% - an increase of 6 per cent since 2019.
This is helping us to reduce our carbon footprint with one of our largest transport providers ensuring that CO2 emissions from Worldpack’s activities will be 100% offset by the end of 2022.
In addition to this, we have changed the way we stack and pack our bags for transport and distribution to our customers and this has led to a reduction in the number of trucks from Southern Europe by 13%.
We’ve invested in a new packing process, moving to compressed packaging for our woven shopping bags which allows us to double the amount in each box meaning less trips on the road for delivery and a better economy of scale for our customers.
These small changes are having a significant impact on our carbon footprint as a business.
Reducing direct emissions and consumption
We’ve made a commitment that Worldpack’s fleet of vehicles will be entirely electric by 2026. And during the last year, we’ve gone from zero to two electric cars. We also switched all our diesel vehicles to petrol, reducing diesel emissions by over 60%.
Reducing our direct emissions has also been aided by the move to hybrid working and less commuting from colleagues. And this also impacts energy consumption in the office, with less people occupying the space.
We have a target to be carbon neutral at Worldpack’s head office by 2030 – aided by our new warehouse and office space which is using 33% less energy than our previous premises.
We are gas-free in the office thanks to a heat pump, and LED lights and active light adaptation is helping the warehouse to become as energy efficient as possible. The new building has an A+++ energy label and is certified BREEAM BL ‘Very Good.’
Closing the loop is something we are equally conscious of at Worldpack, and this also requires investment. At our new offices and warehouse, we’ve purchased a cardboard compactor and a plastic compactor so that we can condense the waste we produce and return it back to the manufacturer for recycling.
Guiding our customers
We’ve spoken previously about how important it is for us to act as leaders to guide our customers in sustainable choices and set an example on sustainability. A key part of our approach is to ensure we are encouraging customers to consider sustainability when they are purchasing with us.
We have created the 5R model to help ensure that sustainability remains front of mind for us and our customers.
Refuse: is packaging made of environmentally harmful material necessary?
Reduce: can the amount of material used for packaging be reduced?
Re-use: can packaging be used more often than it has already been done?
Resources: can packaging be made from recycled or renewable materials?
Review: is the packaging being used in the right way by the right target group?
Alongside guiding our customers, we take our responsibility further by developing and innovating products that will ensure there are viable sustainable options for some of the most used and environmentally challenging products.
An example of this is our stylish Bio Hangers, clothes hangers made from biomaterial (grass), combined with recycled or naturally degradable plastic. These hangers are CO2 neutral because they are produced easily, locally and the material is certified in accordance with NEN 71-3.
Jos Bergen, Managing Director, at Worldpack, says: “Our goals towards sustainability are still fresh and have been evolving regarding form and content since 2020. We are now constantly asking ourselves what we can improve for our organisation, our partners, and the world around us.”
Can we help you?
Speak to our team on +31 (0) 88 494 20 80 or email us at online@worldpack.eu for advice on making the right sustainability choices for your business.
