August 22, 2024 (press release) –
A new mini documentary, titled "The cycle of tomorrow", provides a fascinating behind-the-scenes look into how IFCO, a global leader in reusable packaging solutions for fresh food, is transforming the fresh grocery supply chain for REWE Group, one of Europe’s leading retail operations, with a unique circular model, the IFCO SmartCycle.
The documentary is part of the VISION 2045 campaign, an ambitious initiative that aims to contribute to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by showcasing leaders in each of the SDGs. Having pioneered reusable packaging as a service in 1992, IFCO continues today to ensure that growers, producers and retailers are provided with a sustainable alternative to single-use packaging. As a result, IFCO’s circular model is regarded as a role model for SDG 12, which promotes responsible consumption and production.
The IFCO documentary closely follows the reusable packaging containers (RPCs) on a typical circular journey, starting at one of the state-of-the-art IFCO Service Centers, where the sanitized RPCs begin the journey, through to the producer, retailer and back – with a moving short stop at a local food bank along the way. What the documentary makes clear is that IFCO’s approach is both a radical and simple circular model solution to the global waste crisis caused by single-use packaging and food loss and waste in the fresh grocery supply chain.
For Michael Pooley, IFCO CEO being selected for the documentary is confirmation of the importance of IFCO’s mission: "Our purpose is to make the fresh grocery supply chain sustainable. There are now over eight billion people on the planet, and we have a very fixed set of resources. For us to have a sustainable future, circular models like the IFCO SmartCycle are the only solution."
It’s this circular model that brings compelling benefits for REWE Group, a long-standing partner retailer of IFCO, Marc Rademacher, Executive Director Ultrafresh, REWE Group, explains in the film. "IFCO’s SmartCycle enables us to reduce waste in our supply chains and is therefore an important part of our commitment to sustainability."
The cycle of tomorrow
For more insights, watch the mini documentary: https://youtu.be/i8DDKKhKcbM
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