CEMEX extends its commitment to waste reduction and circular economy with nationwide merchant pallet recovery service
The CEMEX pallet recovery scheme aims to reduce timber waste in the supply chain and make greater environmental efficiencies, as part of its ‘Future in Action – Committed to Net Zero CO2’ Climate Action Strategy.
Under the scheme, all re-usable wooden pallets are collected free of charge by “ELM”, CEMEX’s designated pallet collector, who refurbishes and returns the pallets to CEMEX UK Cement for re-use. Any pallets damaged beyond repair are recycled. Nationwide collections are available within 10 working days on average from request, with capacity for up to 250 pallets (550 pallets for an articulated vehicle) per load, but can be as few as 50 pallets.
Graeme Barton, National Sales Manager Packed Cement, CEMEX, commented: “We want to make life easier for our merchants to work with us to reduce waste. We’d like to make pallet recovery part of the standard delivery process, as many pallets still end up in landfill. It is increasingly costly to dispose of pallet waste and there is far greater value to be gained by recycling and reuse. Rising timber costs, combined with pallet shortages, means there is a heightened need to conserve and maintain pallets throughout the supply chain. Recovery is considerably more cost effective than buying new replacements.”
“Pallets are a standard format in transporting building products and contribute a significant financial and environmental cost which needs to be captured by the user. We saw a similar situation with supermarkets and plastic bags, but we’d rather not wait for legislation to enforce this, we’d really like to make a difference now with preventative action. The pallet recovery service is regenerative by design and aims to support the key principals of the circular economy to benefit business, society and the environment. If we all pull together it will have a significant impact across the whole supply chain.”
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Notes to Editors:
About CEMEX:
CEMEX is a global construction materials company that is building a better future through sustainable products and solutions. CEMEX is committed to achieving carbon neutrality through relentless innovation and industry-leading research and development. CEMEX is at the forefront of the circular economy in the construction value chain, and is pioneering ways to increase the use of waste and residues as alternative raw materials and fuels in its operations with the use of new technologies.
CEMEX offers cement, ready-mix concrete, aggregates, and urbanization solutions in growing markets around the world, powered by a multinational workforce focused on providing a superior customer experience, enabled by digital technologies.
For media enquiries please contact Sarah Murphy; email: sarah.murphy@cemex.com or call 07557 319972