IFCO, the foremost provider of reusable packaging containers (RPCs) for fresh products worldwide, has unveiled its IFCO ESG 2023 Report, detailing the advancements made in its ambitious Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) 2025 Strategy during the fiscal year 2023 (FY23).

Thriving through circularity is a comprehensive report offering an in-depth overview of the company’s initiatives and accomplishments in three fundamental areas — Thriving Business, Thriving Planet, and Thriving Society — benchmarked against the year 2020.

Consistent with prior reports and reflecting a commitment to heightened industry transparency, the IFCO ESG 2023 Report adheres to internationally recognised sustainability reporting standards, including the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB).

The positive impact of IFCO's ESG strategy on the supply chain is evident in the findings of the IFCO ESG 2023 Report, reinforcing the company's unwavering dedication to sustainability across its operations.

Michael Pooley, IFCO CEO, expresses pride in the progress achieved on ESG goals, emphasising the ongoing efforts to enhance the IFCO SmartCycle, a sustainable circular pooling system for reusable packaging containers.

Pooley states, "We are resolute in inspiring our industry to abandon harmful single-use packaging, contributing to waste reduction, fresh product preservation, and climate change mitigation. Our journey continues as we seek to engage more partners in this endeavour to ensure a thriving planet for future generations."

IFCO's commitment to key ESG goals aligns with the principles of the circular economy, manifested in the creation of reusable, 100% recyclable packaging designed for longevity and repeated use. Inigo Canalejo, Vice President, ESG and Strategic Marketing, emphasises the company's focus on evolving into a net-zero, zero-waste business within the circular economy framework.

The IFCO ESG 2023 Report outlines significant milestones and highlights, showcasing the tangible progress toward ESG 2025 goals. Notably, IFCO RPCs facilitate over 2 billion shipments of fresh produce annually, substantially reducing waste throughout the supply chain. The report underscores the clear environmental benefits resulting from IFCO RPCs, surpassing Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions across the company's global operations.

Collaboration with supply chain partners is emphasised in the report, detailing successful initiatives such as reduced truck numbers in the UK, optimised RPC pooling flow for a specific product category in Italy, and the adoption of alternative fuel options by US transportation partners — all contributing to a more sustainable global fresh grocery supply chain.

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Source: IFCO