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IFCO's Commitment to Sustainability in 2024

IFCO, a prominent player in the reusable packaging sector, has made groundbreaking achievements in sustainability in 2024. This year marked a turning point, as the company not only expanded its operations globally but also developed innovative, customer-focused packaging solutions that resulted in record environmental savings.

Over the span of 2024, IFCO successfully delivered 2.4 billion shipments of fresh grocery products, including fruits, vegetables, meats, dairy, and baked goods, all utilizing its reusable packaging containers (RPCs). This ambitious undertaking not only highlights the efficiency of IFCO's logistics but also underscores its commitment to enhancing sustainability within food supply chains.

Record Environmental Impact

The use of the IFCO SmartCycle system reflects IFCO's dedication to minimizing waste and conserving resources. The adoption of this circular pooling system led to astonishing environmental benefits:

• - 674,333 metric tons of CO2e emissions were saved, which is akin to making approximately 140,344 trips around the globe by car.
• - Saved 54,308 megaliters of water, roughly equal to 21,723 Olympic-size swimming pools.
• - 14,854 terajoules of energy saved, equivalent to the annual energy consumption of nearly 746,668 households.
• - Reduction of 1,363,131 metric tons of solid waste, similar to the waste produced by 2.73 million individuals in just one year.
• - Prevented 66,015 tons of product waste, saving about 105 million meals from being wasted.

These substantial environmental savings were meticulously calculated using third-party, peer-reviewed life cycle assessments (LCA) according to ISO 14040/14044 standards. This rigorous scientific approach lends credibility to IFCO’s claims of reduced carbon footprints and resource use, aligning them with broader sustainability goals.

Celebrating Achievements with Customer Recognition

For eight consecutive years, IFCO has awarded customers the IFCO Sustainability Certificate. This year’s certificates will not only serve as recognition of each customer's contribution to environmental savings but will also provide them with a tangible method to demonstrate their commitment to sustainable practices. Many customers leverage these certificates to promote their advancements towards personal sustainability objectives, showcasing how their efforts align with IFCO’s innovative practices.

As part of its ongoing commitment to sustainability, IFCO will honor its partners at Fruit Logistica 2025, one of the most significant events in the fresh produce industry, taking place from February 5 to 7 in Berlin. During this event, certificates will be presented to customers at Booth B-40, Hall 21, fostering a spirit of collaboration and progress in sustainability.

Continuous Improvement and Future Commitment

In 2024, IFCO unveiled a new critically-reviewed LCA study, updating the environmental impacts of its RPCs along with those of cardboard boxes over their complete life cycle. This update confirmed that since 2018, IFCO has succeeded in reducing the average carbon footprint of its packaging containers by an additional 10%.

The comparative LCAs are fundamental to IFCO's Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategies, allowing the company to define clear paths towards becoming a net-zero and zero-waste organization by 2040. The IFCO Roadmap to Net Zero reflects its alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly emphasizing responsible consumption and production (SDG 12) as well as climate action (SDG 13).

In conclusion, IFCO’s ongoing efforts and achievements in 2024 showcase its profound commitment to sustainable growth. By adopting circular economy principles and continually enhancing its packaging solutions, IFCO not only leads the way in the fresh food sector but also sets an inspiring benchmark for sustainable practices globally. With a clear roadmap in hand, IFCO remains steadfast in its mission to reshape the packaging landscape, ensuring a better environment for future generations.