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Save Food Study: Why Reusable Packaging is the Answer to Food Waste

Written by on 29. November 2023. Posted in WBG Pooling EN.

Food waste is an urgent global issue that leads not only to the waste of resources but also to hunger and environmental damages.
Annually, 88 million tons of food are discarded in Europe alone, before they even reach our plates (source: European Parliament).
The Stiftung Initiative Mehrweg (foundation initiative reuse) has published an insightful study on this topic, providing concrete solutions to the problem.
The study was planned and conducted to investigate the impact of packaging on the quality of food in the supply chain. With a special focus on re-usable transport packaging, the study highlighted the effectiveness of reducing food waste.

The results of the study:

The study shows a clear correlation between returnable transport packaging and a significant reduction in food waste.
Several levels are considered here:

Prolonged shelf life: Re-usable transport packaging protects food better from external factors such as moisture, temperature fluctuations, and mechanical stress.
Reduction of damage: Food transported in returnable transport packaging is less susceptible to crushing and other damages due to the robust nature of the packaging.
Optimized logistics and waste prevention: Due to their durability, re-usable transport packaging is not only more environmentally friendly, but also enables more efficient logistics. For example, folding crates used in reusable systems can be returned more easily due to their volume reduction and do not need to be discarded.
Better storage: Returnable transport packaging often provides better storage options, which is especially significant in cold chain logistics. They are resistant to climatic changes and do not soften like cartons.
Quality assurance: Smart Labels ensure the traceability of re-usable transport packaging, leading to better quality controls and more transparency in the supply chain.

What does this mean for the food industry and trade?

The save food study shows that returnable transport packaging can be an effective tool in the fight against food waste.
These findings should be utilized in industry and trade, as there are enough vulnerabilities for food waste throughout the entire supply chain, both in central warehouses and at the point of sale. This reduces long-term costs in purchasing as well as in disposal.

The specific results and savings potentials can be read about here.

Why “Packaging as a Service” is the Future

Written by on 29. November 2023. Posted in WBG Pooling EN.

We often talk to customers about our so-called PaaS concept. Initially, many are not familiar with it, but rough ideas begin to form when we compare it to SaaS, or Software as a Service.

But why shouldn’t what works for IT services also be possible for supply chains and with re-usable transport packaging?
First, we would like to discuss the basic idea of the PaaS principle: Packaging designed to be reused – like our returnable transport packaging – is perfectly suited for a service model. The advantages for the user are particularly evident in the daily handling of reusable products:
While disposable solutions like boxes are simply discarded after use, reusable solutions require a few more steps in the process: After use, they may need to be recycled, cleaned, and disinfected.
These steps are fully taken care of within the PaaS offering, and the customer has no effort with it – this naturally includes the pure logistics with prior planning of the routes, all for one price, from one provider.

Currently, many still perceive the additional steps associated with reusable solutions as too great a hurdle and tend to opt for non-returnable packaging because the handling seems easier. The impact on our environment, the amounts of packaging waste, CO2 emissions, and energy used for recycling and the production of new packaging are usually not considered.

The advantages and opportunities at a glance:

Environmental protection: The most obvious impact of PaaS is the reduction of packaging waste and the resulting environment protection.
Cost efficiency: Packaging costs are reduced through the model, as it eliminates the need for constantly producing new packaging, instead utilizing, reusing, and repairing existing packaging.
Customer satisfaction: PaaS ensures consistent service quality and the effort required to switch is minimal.
Innovation: PaaS encourages innovations in the packaging industry and can support the sustainable ambitions of companies.

While sustainability is an issue increasingly concerning companies, not least due to the Europe-wide obligation for sustainability reporting, “packaging as a service” is the simple answer for easy process transformations.
The effort behind packaging handling is minimized, packaging waste is avoided, and sustainable management is promoted.
Sustainable processes don’t have to be costly, time-consuming, and complicated.

Want to learn more about PaaS and its possibilities? Feel free to contact us.

Corporate Strategy for Sustainable Recruiting: Finding Talents and Shaping the Future

Written by on 30. October 2023. Posted in TALENT CONNECT EN.

Sustainability has evolved into a fundamental principle that affects companies in their entirety. A key area here is certainly also personnel recruitment.
In this article, we explain the importance of a corporate strategy for sustainable recruiting and how it contributes to the positive development of any organization.

Sustainability as Corporate Culture

Sustainability can indeed be lived as a value within the company’s mission statement and forms the basis for potential activities in the human resources area. Taking on ecological and social responsibility and implementing ethical practices promotes an inclusive work environment where diversity and equal opportunity find their place.

Green Recruiting Practices

Resource-saving and environmentally friendly approaches can also be established in the selection process – be it through the use of digital applications, virtual interviews, or paperless onboarding processes. These measures reduce the ecological footprint of all participants and highlight the relevance of sustainability within the company.

Long-Term Talent Development

Sustainable recruiting must be thought of well beyond the point of hiring. It also involves investing in the long-term development of existing employees. Through training and further training opportunities, employees can expand their skills and adapt to changing requirements. This contributes to talent retention and promotes a loyal and productive workforce.

Diversity and Inclusion

A sustainably structured personnel department aims for diverse and inclusive staff. Companies should specifically seek applicants with various backgrounds and perspectives, as diversity can promote creativity and innovation.

Long-Term Corporate Goals

The recruiting strategy should naturally also support the long-term goals and visions of the company in order to see it as part of an overarching business strategy. We believe that companies that focus on sustainability also attract top-notch employees and thus position themselves for the future.

Top Recruiting Trends of 2023: Innovations, Challenges, and Opportunities

Written by on 30. October 2023. Posted in TALENT CONNECT EN, Uncategorized.

The way companies attract talents is constantly changing. This year, there were some exciting developments that particularly influenced recruiting.

Artificial Intelligence and Automation

Chatbots that answer applicant inquiries or expedite the selection process are no longer novelties. Many now use these technologies primarily to conduct controlled applicant evaluations and predictions of job matchings.

Personalized Recruiting

Candidates, on the other hand, increasingly expect personalized approaches and individualized application experiences. Here, companies can invest in technologies or services to create personalized messages or job offers tailored to the skills and interests of the applicants.
This helps strengthen the bond with candidates and increases the likelihood of a successful hire.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

The promotion of diversity, equal opportunity, and inclusion continues to be of high relevance in the recruiting process. Companies are increasingly focusing on targeted efforts to attract diverse talents and create an inclusive work environment. Whether it’s barrier-free application processes or specialized training programs for HR managers – the possibilities are just as diverse.

Virtual and Augmented Reality

VR and AR can offer innovative recruitment experiences for applicants. From virtual job fairs, interactive tours of the employer’s premises to realistic insights into the workplace: Interested parties get to know the company better this way before they apply.

Remote Recruiting

Virtual interviews and onboarding processes remain the norm even after the pandemic, coinciding with flexible work models and location-independent work.

Employer Branding

The topic of employer branding is increasingly coming into the focus of many workers. This means: Companies should invest in maintaining their own reputation to position themselves as an attractive employer. This is primarily about corporate values, culture, and social responsibility. Stay engaged and help shape the future of recruiting!