Sustainability
More and more organisations are becoming aware of the importance of sustainable business practices for the future of our planet. It involves taking responsibility for the impact that business activities have on the environment, society, and the economy. Companies that practice sustainable business pay attention to ensuring that their operations do not unnecessarily burden the environment and contribute to the preservation of natural resources. Exertis Benelux is aware of its role in society and, over the years, has increasingly sought sustainable solutions. Exertis Benelux is happy to transparently share the initiatives being taken in the area of sustainable business practices.
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Waste Separation
One of the sustainable solutions within Exertis Benelux for reducing plastic waste is waste separation. In the warehouses, all plastic materials, such as packaging materials and foil, are stored separately. All separated plastic waste is then collected for recycling. The plastic straps often found around pallets are also separated (apart from the plastic), as these straps are more difficult to recycle. Additionally, paper and cardboard are also separated for recycling.
Pallet Shipping and Route Planning
Exertis Benelux is constantly exploring new technologies and materials to further enhance sustainability, including for pallet shipments. The company uses stretch wrapping machines that automatically wrap pallets with plastic. These machines need to be replaced periodically, so Exertis Benelux is always looking for new machines with improved technology. Just like the machines, the plastic film is also being continuously improved. Currently, Exertis Benelux uses pre-stretched film, which is just as strong as thicker film but helps reduce the overall plastic usage for pallet wrapping.
Additionally, Exertis Benelux ensures that deliveries to partners are scheduled as efficiently as possible within its logistics operations. This includes loading pallets as fully as possible within the guidelines to avoid unnecessary extra kilometers when delivering to partners.
Packages
In addition to pallet shipments, Exertis Benelux also sends many products in outer boxes. The company has chosen to use a total of six different box sizes, ensuring that there is a suitable box for each product without the need for excessive filler material. Furthermore, these six box sizes are collo-modular, which allows for optimal fitting on pallets, contributing to both efficiency and sustainability.
Sizing
Exertis Benelux owns a sizing machine, a device that measures and weighs each product. This information is used not only to determine the location of the product in the warehouse but also to decide which type of outer box is needed for packaging the product. The system calculates the best box for packing each order, and this is then linked to the order so that the packing staff knows exactly which box to use. By calculating the appropriate box, the system ensures optimal use of the packaging, significantly reducing the amount of packaging material used.
Packaging material
When there is extra space in a box, it is filled with eco plastic packaging material to protect the contents from impact and damage. Exertis Benelux uses machines that fill plastic air cushions with air. Plastic was chosen as the fill material because its eco-indicator score (environmental impact) is much lower than that of paper. The machine only inflates the air cushions when they are actually needed as filler. Since the cushions are delivered without air, they are significantly smaller in size compared to pre-filled bubble materials. This not only benefits the storage of the material but also its transport, making this method more sustainable than using pre-filled bubble wrap. Additionally, the cushions can hold a large amount of air, minimizing the amount of plastic used in each box. The plastic air cushions are made from recycled plastic and can be reused indefinitely. Exertis Benelux continuously seeks the most environmentally friendly packaging materials.
Exertis Benelux aims to reduce the use of packaging material as much as possible by both selecting the right box sizes and utilizing the supplier's packaging materials whenever possible. If a product is already packed in a large box with filler, Exertis Benelux does not use an additional box or extra filler material.
Sustainability of the Fleet
Exertis Benelux has made significant investments in the further sustainability of its fleet in recent times. For example, several charging stations have been installed in the front yard, and various employees now drive electric company vehicles.
Other Initiatives
Exertis Benelux also implements various sustainable initiatives within its buildings and warehouses on a daily basis. From automatic LED lighting that operates with motion sensors to the avoidance of disposable materials in daily use by employees.
Ultimately, Exertis Benelux makes every effort to operate as sustainably as possible within its logistics services, aiming to minimize its ecological footprint.