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The economy is consuming too many resources. This is an inconvenient fact that logistics must also face. Pallets, films, cardboard boxes – the list of raw material-intensive materials is long. But logistics and sustainability do not have to be mutually exclusive.
There is no doubt that the industry produces a lot of material. For example, the average pallet is secured with 10 kg of film. With an estimated 400-500 million EPAL load carriers currently in circulation, you don't need a detailed calculation to get an idea of the extent of material consumption. It doesn't seem particularly sustainable at first. But it is worth taking a closer look.
What at first glance appears to be huge amounts of waste is anything but worthless. Logistics companies have long known how harmful disposable products are to the environment in terms of packaging and transportation. Apart from that, they are cost drivers.
In Switzerland, regulations apply to certain materials such as beverage packaging. There is no general packaging ordinance. This is not least the case because avoidance, disposal and reuse already take place on a voluntary basis and under individual responsibility(https://www.bafu.admin.ch/bafu/de/home/themen/abfall/abfallwegweiser-a-z/verpackungen.html#:~:text=Die Swiss legislation, in contrast to certain types or properties of packaging).
In Germany, the Packaging Act stipulates that the producer of packaging must participate in a recycling and disposal system. Until July of this year, fulfillment service providers were often responsible for this. Since the amendment, the client can no longer transfer these obligations. However, service providers are now obliged to carry out checks. They are no longer allowed to work for clients who do not participate in the prescribed system.
Another good reason for sustainable packaging: Competitiveness. Many customers are keeping an eye on their ecological footprint. In the past, it was often the lowest price that counted. Today, the focus is increasingly on sustainability. This applies to both private customers and companies.
Extensive and detailed information is now available in many places, from production to delivery. Environmentally harmful and resource-intensive packaging often has a negative impact on customers' decisions.
For these reasons, the industry is working tirelessly on sustainable raw material consumption in several ways. In addition to avoiding disposable products and recycling waste, many materials are being reused - a worthwhile approach in every respect. The following examples show what this can look like in practice.
Recycling is good. However, before a product is recycled, it can usually be used several times. Materials should therefore be reused as long and as often as possible. This minimizes consumption and saves resources and money.
Probably the best-known example of recycling in logistics is the Euro pallet. A foolproof exchange system guaranteesthat the load carriers do not simply disappear into the recipient's warehouse or even into the trash after being used once for transportation. In this way, the pallets remain in circulation for as long as they can be used.
At some point, however, even robust materials wear out. In addition, certain products such as cardboard boxes are difficult to reuse. They usually end up as waste in landfill or incineration. But here too, there are now greener alternatives for disposal.
Biodegradable packaging made from peanuts or grass, for example, can be easily composted. Admittedly: Paper and cardboard can also be recycled and are biodegradable. But the trees cut down to produce them regenerate much more slowly.
What is no longer fit for purpose does not necessarily have to be disposed of. Creative minds are always finding new ways to turn old into new. Recycling is also an important tool for conserving resources in the logistics sector.
The bag manufacturer Freitag is currently working on the development of a fully recyclable truck tarpaulin. This should be able to be recycled as often as required at the end of its service life. This means that once used, resources remain completely in the cycle and can be used for other products.
Logistics and transportation service providers have to make their materials management sustainable. They cannot do otherwise. On the one hand, they are bound by industry standards, legal regulations or voluntary agreements; on the other, disposable products are bad for their image. The cost factor makes things even more difficult.
But these necessities give rise to opportunities. Creative and efficient concepts for the most productive reuse possible bring many advantages. The industry is aware of this. We at SpediFux are delighted with the energy with which developments are being driven forward, because every step towards sustainability makes our world greener.
SpediFux is the smart digital transport company for Switzerland & Liechtenstein. Freight forwarding, whether it's boxes, general cargo, or pallets. Easy to use, reliable processing, guaranteed price.
