Brick producer Vandersanden starts pilot project on return service for wooden pallets
Spouwen-Bilzen, 20 September 2022 - Brick producer Vandersanden and the Dutch company 2Return are launching a pilot project together on a return service for wooden pallets in Belgium and the Netherlands. With this, the brick producer reduces the disposable use of materials, commits fully to circularity, and moves ever closer to its goal of being CO2 neutral by 2050.
“We are taking the next step in our sustainability story. Together we build greatness, and by joining forces with our customers and 2Return, we implement our sustainability philosophy on all levels, from the production process to packaging and transport.”
Reuse of disposable pallets
Vandersanden, the largest family-owned brick producer in Europe, has started a pilot project for a pallet return service. This service is a collaboration between Vandersanden, its customers (contractors and traders) and the Dutch logistics company 2Return. After use, 2Return collects disposable pallets from the customer on behalf of Vandersanden, checks them for reusability, carries out relevant repairs and then ensures that the brick producer’s pallets end up back with Vandersanden. This way, wooden pallets can be reused with ease, allowing Vandersanden to reduce the disposable use of materials. Moreover, Vandersanden offers this service completely free of charge.
Pilot project in Belgium and the Netherlands
The first phase of this pilot project will be rolled out to a limited number of selected customers in Belgium and the Netherlands. In the second phase, Vandersanden will evaluate the project and tighten the processes where necessary, before launching the collection service on a large scale in Belgium and the Netherlands.
“With this return service, we are taking the next step in our sustainability story. We are tackling waste by reusing pallets,” says Raf Jansen, COO at Vandersanden. “In addition, we feel it is important to offer our customers the best possible service and making life easier for them. In fact, this return service will remove a big weight from the customers’ shoulders. With the use of the data and insight we’ll gather during this pilot project, we want to ensure we’ve connected the dots by the time of the major launch.”
We are tackling waste by reusing pallets. What’s more, this return service will remove a big weight from the customers’ shoulders.
Circular processing of wooden pallets reduces costs
Thanks to this return service, Vandersanden is contributing to a greener future. The project aligns with Vandersanden’s Collective Well-being vision, the term used by Vandersanden to bundle all its initiatives relating to sustainability, among others. “Everything we do as a company is aimed at focusing on a better future together. This new project also reinforces this ambition,” says Raf Jansen.
By reusing wooden pallets, Vandersanden is committing wholeheartedly to circularity. The brick producer had already made their packaging more sustainable by printing less on it and only using covers made from at least 30% recyclate. In doing so, the company took a significant step towards circularity. The pilot project on returnable pallets is a subsequent step in the ambition to be completely CO2 neutral by 2050.
Moreover, the return service also responds to the wood scarcity and the rising timber prices. This is because by reusing them, the pallets continue to be available at an affordable price.
Fast and efficient collection
The return system by Vandersanden and 2 Return unburdens contractors and traders with fast and faultless collection. They can have the wooden pallets collected by 2Return within ten working days, directly and free of charge. It means they do not have to dispose of the pallets, saving on the costs involved.
“Together with Vandersanden, we hope this return service embraces the customer and the environment,” says Toine Domensino, Managing Director at 2Return. “After all, gathering, organising, central storage often demands a lot of effort form traders and contractors. So with this service, we hope to accommodate and unburden them.”
“Partnerships like this one with 2Return are part of our Collective Well-being vision. Together we build greatness, and by joining forces with 2Return, we implement our sustainability philosophy on all levels, from the production process to packaging and transport.” “The fact that we can and dare call ourselves a frontrunner in sustainability is partly thanks to the commitment of our customers and partners.”
Press contacts
FINN Anneleen Verhaegen anneleen.verhaegen@finn.agency +32 470 87 47 97
Vandersanden Nathali Donatz n.donatz@vandersanden.com +32 89 51 01 59
