IFCO releases ESG Report for 2022

Reusable Packaging Containers (RPCs) supplier IFCO has released its 2022 ESG Report, sharing progress on its Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) strategy to thrive in the circular economy.

In the newly released 2022 ESG Report, IFCO highlighted key progress in fulfilling its purpose to make the fresh grocery supply chain sustainable, according to a news release. IFCO’s ESG report is aligned with the requirements of leading standards such as the Core Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB), the release said. 

The company also signed up for the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), the release said. In 2021, IFCO committed to the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) corporate responsibility initiative and its responsibilities in the areas of human rights, labor, environment and anti-corruption, along with the U.N.’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

"We are committed to being a thoughtful and responsible company that cares for our people, our customers and protects our planet," Michael Pooley, CEO at IFCO, said in the release. "We have been able to make solid progress on our 2025 commitments, we managed to remain true to our plan despite the many global challenges everyone has faced in past years and at the same time, we acknowledge that it is time for further actions requiring collaboration amongst parties.”

IFCO RPCs are now used in approximately 2 billion shipments of fresh food every year, reducing waste and creating efficiencies throughout the supply chain, according to the company. By replacing single-use packaging with IFCO RPCs for the last 30 years, customers have saved 6.7 million tons of CO2, the release said.

Despite a challenging year across the globe, IFCO progressed on its ambitious "Thriving in a Circular Economy" strategy, the release said. 

Successes were achieved across IFCO’s business, planet and social-focused pillars of its ESG strategy, including releasing innovative new products, converting to renewable energy, substantially reducing landfill waste, continuing a perfect food safety record and forming partnerships with food banks, the release said. 

IFCO has increased renewable electricity by 75% and has reduced waste by 28% in just 12 months, according to the release.

“Conserving and protecting natural resources, eliminating waste, and championing the reuse of materials has always been the foundation of our circular business model, and this year has been no different," Inigo Canalejo, vice president of ESG at IFCO, said in the release. “IFCO has proudly reduced waste sent to landfills from their sites by an additional 28%, keeping the goal of accomplishing zero waste to landfill by 2025 on track. IFCO sites also boosted their use of renewable electricity by an incredible 75% setting a solid foundation towards its 100% renewable electricity goal.”

Under IFCO’s Global Water Stewardship Plan, fresh water used for washing RPCs have been reduced by 2.5% per RPC globally, the release said, leading to significant water savings across the world. 

IFCO is piloting water reuse technology, with early results indicating freshwater consumption could be reduced by up to an additional 50%, the release said.

By using IFCO RPCs, food banks can operate more efficiently, reduce waste and serve charities in a sustainable way, the release said. To continue these efforts in fighting food waste, in 2022 IFCO became the official RPC partner of the European Food Banks Federation (FEBA), the company said.