Reducing packaging use to boost sustainability
2020 will be remembered as the year that stopped the world in its tracks. This included much of the momentum that had built up around environmental awareness and the need for improvement. It started the year at the forefront of everyone’s agenda then suddenly, we were all thrust into pandemic management mode.
As we emerge into the Spring of 2021 with newfound optimism, the environment is still there waiting patiently to take centre stage once again. We all still have work to do.
As a provider of packaging, we know that our products play a huge part in CSR and sustainability goals. That’s why we work with customers to identify the impact of packaging on their operation and redress its impact throughout the supply chain. By using less material or, using it more wisely, we can help to reduce the carbon footprint of the business.
How we support our customers
We have worked with Exertis, a DCC business, an industry leading distributor of technology products and specialist services, committed to minimising the impact of business operations on the environment.
Working together, phase 1 identified and removed 17.6 tonnes of plastic material – stretch wrap and pallet top sheets – by reengineering the material to ensure that performance and load containment were not compromised. This equates to 45.4 tonnes of CO2e in the plastic material manufacturing process* – equivalent to 5,799,400 smartphones charged or 112,838 miles driven by an average passenger vehicle.
Phase 2 identified a further 47 tonnes of plastic material equating to 83 tonnes of CO2e, equivalent to 10,604,304 smartphones charged or 206,328 miles driven by an average passenger vehicle.
Our work doesn’t stop there, phase 3 will be to implement this process in other Exertis facilities across Europe, with the support of Macfarlane Group BV.
(*CO²e calculated on UK Government material manufacturing averages.)
The knock-on effect of sustainable change
Reengineering packaging or reducing material use is great for the environment but, it can have other added benefits too. Including increased vehicle utilisation, reducing the volume of packaging held in storage on site and increasing productivity efficiency.
About Exertis
Exertis is the leading technology distributor of consumer, business and enterprise products from pioneering technology brands, playing an integral role in supplying the world with cutting-edge tech.
Over forty years Exertis has distributed the technology that transforms societies and facilitated the world’s transition to digital. These days Exertis distributes everything from AV solutions to AI-powered smart-tech. Exertis is powered by the mantra ‘our people, our customers, our business’. In 2020 it won ‘Best Company to Work For’ at the CRN Sales & Marketing Awards and had a turnover of £3.913 billion.
Exertis, a wholly owned subsidiary of parent company DCC PLC, a FTSE 100 company, represents more than 700 brands in the UK alone and continues to grow. As technology evolves, so does Exertis.
www.exertis.co.uk
If you would like to reduce the amount of packaging your business uses, contact Macfarlane Packaging today.
