GXO Logistics, Inc. (NYSE: GXO), the leading global provider of pure-play contract logistics, alongside Greene King, the foremost pub company and brewer in the UK, today unveiled a series of significant sustainability achievements. These results stem from their long-standing partnership, initiated in 2012, focusing on key areas such as fleet decarbonisation, waste reduction, recycling, and community engagement.
“When a customer and logistics provider operate as true partners with a shared commitment to sustainability, great results follow,” remarked Chris Hyde, Managing Director – Food and Drink, GXO UK and Ireland. “GXO’s dedication to environmental sustainability, coupled with Greene King’s ‘Greene King for Good’ programme, has empowered us to achieve tangible benefits, particularly regarding decarbonisation and waste reduction. We are thrilled with these outcomes and are eager to continue advancing our goals related to carbon reduction and waste diversion.”
Vance Fairman-Smith, Group Supply Chain Director at Greene King, added: “Our ongoing partnership with GXO enables us to pursue best practices and innovations, implementing various environmentally responsible operational measures. By harnessing innovation and technology to minimize inefficiencies and waste in the supply chain, we are making strides towards our sustainability goals. This not only benefits our teams and communities but also our customers.”
Decarbonising the Supply Chain
Since 2019, GXO and Greene King have effectively reduced carbon intensity (gCO2e/km) due to a strategic blend of technological advancements and behavioral changes. Key initiatives include:
- An enhanced driver performance management system that improved fuel efficiency (MPG) by over 10% in 2024 alone.
- Investment in Eco Drive hydro-electric refrigeration technology, leading to a 2–4% reduction in fuel consumption since 2022.
- Over the past three years, the installation of strip and air curtains in refrigerated trailers has cut energy usage by up to 50% during deliveries.
Moreover, the companies have experimented with biodiesel, HVO, and electric vehicles, including utilizing waste oil from pubs to power vehicles, potentially reducing emissions by up to 90% compared to traditional diesel.
A Circular Approach to Waste and Recycling
Leveraging GXO’s reverse logistics capabilities allowed the partnership to improve material quality while significantly reducing weekly waste collections, eliminating over 160,000 journeys annually.
In 2024, GXO and Greene King successfully recycled:
- Over 2.7 million litres of used cooking oil
- More than 4,000 tonnes of cardboard
- 250+ tonnes of metal
- 55+ tonnes of plastic
- 9,000+ tonnes of food waste sent to anaerobic digestion
This year, Greene King also broadened its recycling initiatives to include ink cartridges, batteries, correx boards, and crushed glass in London.
Supporting Communities Through Food and Charity
In addition to recycling efforts, the partnership emphasizes food redistribution. Over 90% of surplus food from depots was donated to charities such as The Bread and Butter Thing and The Felix Project, yielding an impressive estimated total of 240,000 meals contributed in 2024.
The annual Tub2Pub campaign reflects the community impact by encouraging the public to recycle confectionery tubs at Greene King pubs. This initiative collected over 240,000 tubs and raised more than £10,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support. The recycled plastic was transformed into furniture, creating a circular economy model that benefits both people and the planet.