Suzanne Walker-Lindsay, Kroger’s director of sustainability, said, “Kroger is committed to being a positive force for change when it comes to sustainable business practices, and CHEP and IFCO play an important role in our effort to meet our zero waste goals and continuously improve the sustainability of our supply chain.”
Kroger’s sustainability report states, “Kroger partners with CHEP and IFCO, which both contribute to global sustainability through their ‘shared’ business models of pooled pallets, bulk containers, and reusable plastic containers (RPCs). These packaging solutions bring both operational efficiencies and environmental benefits. Compared with one-way packaging, reusable platforms and containers offer a lower carbon footprint, reduced water consumption, and less waste.”
In addition, Kroger notes its use of RPCs for fresh produce improved product quality and reduced waste by eliminating the use of more than 73,000 tons of waxed and corrugated boxes.
CHEP and IFCO supply chain solutions provide clear environmental benefits. For example, Kroger’s commitment to CHEP pallets avoided more than one million pounds of solid waste and eliminated 430 tons of carbon dioxide, the equivalent of growing more than 41,000 trees for 10 years. Separately, production of IFCO RPCs requires 65% less water and 34% less energy than one-way packaging. In addition, the use of IFCO RPCs results in a 31% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and an 85% reduction in solid waste versus single-use cardboard boxes.
Kroger, CHEP, and IFCO are also members of the Consumer Goods Forum, whose members have committed to reducing food waste by half within retail and manufacturing operations by 2025, while also contributing to the United Nation’s 2030 food waste reduction goals.
For more details, see www.chep.com or www.ifco.com.
