Commonwealth_ Tosca, a leader in sustainable packaging and supply chain solutions, has joined forces with Avery Dennison, a global materials science company, to transition to reusable plastic pallets and significantly reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions across its European supply chain. This collaboration has not only introduced innovative solutions but also delivered measurable environmental and operational benefits, highlighting the potential of sustainable practices in modern logistics.
Meeting the Challenge of Scalable Sustainability
As a company committed to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, Avery Dennison faced a pressing challenge: to find a scalable and efficient solution for meeting the growing demand for plastic pallets while staying aligned with its sustainability goals. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the issue, leading to a surge in demand for wooden pallets and supply chain disruptions. Recognizing the limitations of traditional approaches, Avery Dennison sought a more reliable and environmentally friendly alternative. The partnership with Tosca provided an ideal solution. Tosca’s expertise in sustainable packaging and its innovative pooling model allowed Avery Dennison to address its logistical challenges while reducing its carbon footprint. By transitioning to Tosca’s reusable plastic pallets, Avery Dennison found a solution that enhanced scalability, efficiency, and sustainability.
The Benefits of Reusable Plastic Pallets
At the core of this partnership lies Tosca’s durable and reusable L1 plastic pallets, designed to optimize operations, minimize waste, and reduce environmental impact. These pallets have become a game-changer for Avery Dennison, replacing traditional wooden pallets with a cleaner, more efficient alternative. Initially, the focus was on replacing Avery Dennison’s own pallets to meet rising demand. However, the partnership quickly expanded, leading to a significant shift in the company’s supply chain. Today, Tosca’s plastic pallets are utilized in 13 Avery Dennison factories and distribution centers, facilitating shipments to over 400 customer locations across Europe. Despite the operational benefits, convincing Avery Dennison’s customers to accept goods on plastic pallets presented a key challenge. Both companies’ sales teams collaborated closely to highlight the operational and environmental advantages, successfully driving adoption and optimizing logistics.
Operational Efficiencies and Environmental Impact
The benefits of the Tosca-Avery Dennison partnership are far-reaching. Avery Dennison converted 40% of its Euro-sized pallets to reusable plastic pallets by 2023, exceeding expectations and saving nearly 500 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually. This impressive achievement underscores the transformative impact of reusable packaging solutions on environmental performance. Beyond emissions reductions, Tosca’s plastic pallets offer other significant advantages. Unlike wooden pallets, these plastic alternatives are more durable, hygienic, and cost-effective. They address availability issues exacerbated by the pandemic while providing a reliable solution for Avery Dennison’s growing needs.
The collaboration has also aligned with the European Union’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), which emphasizes the importance of reuse and circularity. The PPWR mandates that at least 40% of transport or sales packaging be reusable by 2030, and Tosca’s plastic pallets already meet these requirements. This regulatory alignment demonstrates how innovative packaging solutions can support companies in navigating complex compliance landscapes.
Driving Circularity and Sustainability
The focus on circularity and sustainability is central to Avery Dennison’s broader strategy. “Our focus is on the recyclability and circularity of our packaging,” said Violeta Gómez Valdivieso, Central Packaging Leader at Avery Dennison. “By partnering with Tosca, we are moving in the right direction.”
The partnership is not just about meeting regulatory requirements; it represents a shift in how companies think about supply chain efficiency and environmental responsibility. The adoption of reusable pallets reflects a broader trend towards sustainable practices, where economic benefits go hand in hand with reducing environmental impact.
