Italian supermarket chain Conad has won an innovation prize in environmental sustainability for its new light and fully-recyclable plastic pallet.
The pallet has been developed together with CPR System, the company’s long-term partner in the management of pooling of pallets and recyclable packaging.
The pallets improve the management of the distribution of perishable products under the retailer’s private label brand, such as cured meats and cheeses, using 100% recyclable polypropylene that is lightweight and easy to transport.
The new support reduces the overall weight of the load column made up of several pallets, while increasing the support surface on the underlying element.
The use of the new plastic pallet also reduces the risk of damages to products, prevents food waste and limits inefficiencies at the point of sale, with a positive impact on the environment. The pallets also represent an example of the circular economy in action.
Transport Optimisation
An average of 120 pallets can be transported during one journey, with a reduction of 2,200 kilograms compared to traditional wooden pallets. The incidence of damaged products is reduced by 20%.
In addition, CO2 emissions related to transport are reduced by 42% compared to using wooden pallets, due to the lower mass of plastic pallets, the higher quantities transported, and the lower number of vehicle journeys.
© 2018 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Branislav Pekic. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine.
