Manufacturing plastic boxes in the UK could cut distribution emissions by up to 2,500KgCO2e per delivery
In December 2023 alone , £ 45 billion worth of goods were imported to the UK by road and sea freight [ 1 ]. Manufacturing overseas is commonly seen as a less expensive approach . However , localising production in the UK permits quality control , safeguards against exchange rate volatility , and significantly reduces a company ’ s carbon footprint .
From June , Palletower , the UK ’ s leading manufacturer , stockist and supplier of storage and logistics equipment have transitioned the production of their plastic box pallets and other plastic storage products such as collars and foldable boxes to the UK . In the past , these have been manufactured in Spain , Germany and China and a significant number are currently being moulded and imported from Istanbul . At present , a fully lorry load of plastic boxes weighing 4.6 tonnes distributed from Istanbul to the UK generates almost 2.6 tonnes of carbon emissions . Therefore by manufacturing in the UK , Palletower will reduce their emissions dramatically .
This move will maximise operational efficiencies and significantly improve product and material handling . Moreover , the manufacturing shift will allow Palletower ’ s customers to benefit from increased cost savings .
The UK manufactured plastic boxes are an impressive 3kg lighter than any other competitor boxes . This reduces the amount of plastic and energy used to mould the box . Despite this , they retain the same strength and are available in a range of colours , with the option of adding company branding ( e . g . a logo ) for versatile use in numerous industries .
16 FDPP - www . fdpp . co . uk
The shift in production not only allows Palletower to have more control over materials , but means that the company can offer the environmental and cost benefits to its wide customer base . Furthermore , it has improved Palletower ’ s own sustainability efforts .
The shift in production not only allows Palletower to have more control over materials , but means that the company can offer the environmental and cost benefits to its wide customer base .
Through this CO2 review exercise , Palletower has looked at the impact that the distribution of goods is having towards today ’ s climate crisis , and ways in which its own changes to the supply chain are a microcosm of potential change the industry could make .
The impact that overseas distribution has on your carbon footprint
If companies manufacture products outside the UK , regardless of the location , distribution will most likely be a business ’ s biggest contributor to annual carbon emissions .
The average small to medium sized company in the UK generates around 15 tonnes of carbon emissions annually , making up 44 % of the UK ’ s non-household emissions [ 2 ].
Palletower has partnered with Positive Planet , a sustainability business advisory , revealing the carbon impact of distribution to the UK and how carbon emissions differ depending on location . Birmingham was chosen as the distribution centre of choice as it is a central UK distribution location .
At present , as the majority of boxes are being manufactured in Istanbul , by transporting just 607 plastic boxes to the UK , this generates the same amount of