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A pioneer in circular systems
Svenska Retursystem was built on a simple but powerful idea: sharing resources creates value for everyone. Our circular system enables the food industry to use the same pallets and crates again and again, reducing waste, optimizing resource use, and creating efficient flows throughout the supply chain.
Our reusable pallets and crates are made from durable, recyclable plastic and are designed to last for many years. Every unit is maintained, inspected and repaired when needed to maximize its lifespan. When a crate eventually reaches the end of its life, the material is recycled and transformed into new crates. Materials from retired pallets are also recovered and given new life in other products.
Circular thinking guides everything we do, from daily operations to long-term development. Together with producers, wholesalers, retailers and restaurants, we help build a more resource-efficient and resilient food supply chain.
Circular Materials
Our crates and pallets have a lifespan of 15 years. The pallets are used on average over 100 times and the crates 150 times.
When a crate can no longer be repaired, we grind the plastic down into granules to use in the manufacture of new crates.
Discarded pallets are recycled into new plastic products.
Our pallets that go into Systembolaget's pooling loop are made from 100 percent recycled plastic.
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Fossil-free transport in 2025
In order to reduce the environmental impact of our transport, we have accepted the challenge of completely fossil-free domestic transport by 2025. This is done by moving more transport to trains, striving for the shortest possible transport routes and demanding fossil-free fuels for our transporters.
By 2030, our international transports must also be fossil-free.
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Solar panels
In 2023 , we inaugurated our solar cell systems on the roofs at our logistics facilities in Västerås and Vaggeryd. They are two of the largest roof-based solar installations in Sweden.
In total, both solar cell facilities are estimated to produce 6.7 GWh per year. This corresponds to the household electricity for 1,340 normal-sized Swedish villas. (Swedish villas that use sources other than electricity for heating, for example district heating, consume an average of 5000 KWh/year, source SCB)
Initially, the electricity production will be used in the operation of the company's own business, but in the long term there is potential to be able to offer charging options for electric trucks and the production of hydrogen gas.
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Healthy working enviroment
Our crates are easy to lift, carry and empty. They give you a better and more ergonomic working environment.
Complete pallet gray weighs 10 kg less than a corresponding wooden pallet, which reduces the number of heavy lifts. The pallets do not emit dust and wood chips, which gives all users a healthier workplace.
We repair crates and pallets
We always repair broken crates and pallets whenever possible. In a circular economy, reuse and longevity are at the core. The longer the lifespan, the better for the environment.
Maximizing the lifespan of our crates and pallets is one of our main focuses to improve our sustainability performance.
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Sustainability, top of mind
We are constantly working to reduce the environmental impact of our facilities.
We strive to reduce the use of detergent when cleaning our pallets and crates. We wash as efficiently as possible based on an optimal combination of detergent, heat and water pressure. We also add carbon dioxide to neutralize the pH value in the wash water.
The largest share of our energy consumption goes to heating hot water for our laundry. To improve efficiency, we use already heated water at various parts of the process.
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Reducing food waste
Reducing food waste is an important part for reducing our climate footprint. The ventilated crates help to keep the goods fresh, which increases lifespan. The stable construction also reduces crushing and impact damage to the contents in the crates.
We also support Stadsmissionen's work in redistributing left-over food to people who live in economic vulnerability in the cities where we operate.
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Sustainable financial investments
Our mission is to reduce the environmental impact of the grocery industry. For us, it is obvious that our financial investments should also contribute to reduced emissions.
For several years our partner Danske Bank has helped us with placing our deposits in funds that address and work towards a sustainable future focusing on climate issues.
n 2016, the sustainability fund Danske Invest European Corporate Sustainable Bond was introduced with Svenska Retursystem as core investor. The fund has grown rapidly and is now one of the largest European funds that integrates sustainability into traditional analysis and portfolio management. In 2017, the fund was ranked Sweden's third most sustainable by the analysis company Morningstar.
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