Grupo Alimentario Citrus (GAC), a group that specializes in the preparation of healthy and fresh Mediterranean foods, has recently signed a collaboration agreement with CHEP, whereby both companies will work together over the next three years to improve the logistics operations of the supply chain and ensure that they take care of the environment.
The CHEP pooling system is intrinsically sustainable and aligns with the circular economy model, as it is based on sharing, reusing, and recycling resources. This system saves costs, optimizes logistical processes, and contributes to the reduction of carbon emissions, the use of natural resources, and waste production. CHEP acts as a true strategic partner for GAC with the aim of providing sustainable logistics solutions for its supply chain.
As a result of this collaboration, CHEP has presented the GAC with a sustainability certificate that confirms the agri-food group's commitment to sustainability. Thanks to the use of the CHEP pooling system, in 2016 GAC avoided emitting 156,000 Kg of CO2 into the atmosphere, which is equivalent to 142,000 kilometers by truck or four trips around the world by truck. Thanks to the use of CHEP pallets, the group also avoided consuming 114,391 m3 of wood, which is equivalent to 111 trees, and generating 11,233 kg of waste, which can be compared with the waste generated by 8,000 people every day.
Antonio Gonzalez, the Director of CSR & HR of GAC, stated: "Sustainability is one of the fundamental pillars of our Agricultural food company. We have been able to reduce our environmental impact and ensure that our products arrive in perfect conditions at the point of sale thanks to the close collaboration with our CHEP supplier."
The commitment of CHEP and GAC to create a sustainable supply chain is part of a challenge from 2016: the use of zero emission pallets. In addition to the use of wooden pallets, GAC also uses the 1/4 CHEP display pallets, a completely sustainable pallet made from recycled materials with a carbon footprint that is 30% lower than its previous version. In addition, the new pallet is certified as 100% Neutral Carbon since its emissions are compensated with a sustainable project. Thus, by using the 1/4 CHEP palette, GAC minimizes the ecological impact of its activity.
Vicente Molla, the Commercial Director of CHEP Spain, stated: "We are very proud of the trust and support that GAC has given us. The work developed during the last years shows that the collaboration between our companies allows us to reach our sustainability goals. The benefits of using the CHEP pooling system provide multiple advantages; one of the ones we feel most proud of is the reduction of the environmental footprint."