GXO & Greene King cut supply chain waste & emissions

GXO and Greene King have highlighted a series of environmental and operational milestones achieved through their ongoing supply chain partnership.

Since the collaboration began in 2012, GXO and Greene King have jointly implemented a range of sustainability initiatives that have resulted in significant reductions in environmental impact, particularly in areas such as fleet decarbonisation, waste reduction, recycling, and support for community projects.

Fleet decarbonisation

One of the major areas of focus for the partnership has been lowering the carbon footprint of logistics operations. Since 2019, measures such as scaling up technology and adapting driving practices have led to steady reductions in carbon intensity. A structured driver performance management system was introduced, resulting in a more than 10% improvement in fuel efficiency in 2024. These savings were supported by investments in Eco Drive hydro-electric refrigeration technology, which reduced fuel consumption by between 2% and 4% since 2022. Additionally, the installation of strip and air curtains in refrigerated trailers over the last three years has cut energy use during deliveries by up to 50%.

Alternative fuels have also played a key role. GXO and Greene King have tested biodiesel, hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), and electric vehicles, with some vehicles running on waste oil collected directly from Greene King pubs. These approaches can potentially yield emission reductions of up to 90% compared to traditional diesel-powered vehicles.

"When a customer and logistics provider operate as true partners with a shared commitment to sustainability, great results follow. GXO's commitment to environmental sustainability combined with Greene King's 'Greene King for Good' programme have enabled us to deliver tangible benefits, particularly in decarbonisation and waste reduction. We are delighted with these results and look forward to advancing our progress to carbon reduction and waste diversion targets," said Chris Hyde, Managing Director – Food and Drink, GXO UK and Ireland. 

Vance Fairman-Smith, Group Supply Chain Director at Greene King, commented on the logistical improvements and wider value of the collaboration, stating: "Our ongoing partnership with GXO is enabling us to drive forward best practices and innovation and adopt a range of environmentally responsible operational measures. By leveraging innovation, technology and best practice to reduce inefficiency and waste within the supply chain, the partnership has enabled us to make progress towards our sustainability targets and create more sustainable supply chain. This is good for our teams, communities, and customers."

Circular waste management

The partnership has achieved substantial results in waste diversion and recycling. The use of GXO's reverse logistics systems and improvements in material handling have led to a decrease in the frequency of waste collections, eliminating over 160,000 journeys annually and therefore reducing emissions associated with waste transportation.

During 2024, GXO and Greene King recycled or repurposed more than 16,000 tonnes of waste. This included more than 2.7 million litres of used cooking oil, over 4,000 tonnes of cardboard, 250 tonnes of metal, and more than 55 tonnes of plastic. Additionally, over 9,000 tonnes of food waste were processed through anaerobic digestion. New recycling streams, such as ink cartridges, batteries, correx boards, and crushed glass (in London), were added this year to widen the scope of waste diversion.

Supporting communities

Alongside operational changes, the partnership has also focused on food redistribution and community engagement. More than 90% of surplus food from depots was donated to charities including The Bread and Butter Thing and The Felix Project, amounting to an estimated 240,000 meals donated in 2024. This effort not only helped reduce waste but also supported communities facing food insecurity.

The annual Tub2Pub campaign was another key community initiative, inviting the public to recycle confectionery tubs at participating Greene King pubs. In 2024, the campaign led to the collection of over 240,000 tubs, raising in excess of GBP £10,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support. The collected plastic was subsequently repurposed into furniture, reinforcing the circular economy model.

The achievements of the GXO and Greene King partnership underscore the ongoing effort within the logistics and hospitality sectors to decarbonise supply chains and reduce waste while generating positive outcomes for communities. Both organisations continue to explore further avenues for emissions reduction, waste diversion, and community support as they work towards longer-term net zero ambitions.