CHEP has presented Clover with an Environmental Certificate for Excellence in sustainability, recognising that Clover has reduced its CO2 emissions by 56%, its wood usage by 71% and its waste by 59%.

This was by using CHEP's share-and-reuse pooling services. This is equivalent to saving 2 666 trees in one year, 17 truck trips around the world and 69 truckloads of waste.

"We have seen major advantages since partnering with CHEP," says Clover's general manager of distribution Tony Roderigues.

"Compared to single-use pallets of non-standard sizes and quality, CHEP's pallets and platforms have improved efficiency for us and they give us the reassurance that we're minimising the environmental impact of our operations," adds Roderigues.

"CHEP pallets allow for reduced product damage, faster receiving times, fewer empty transit miles and reduced pallet-repair costs. Our customers appreciate our efforts to promote sustainability and CHEP's supply-chain expertise helps us improve efficiency throughout our supply chain," Roderigues says.

The partnership aligns with CHEP's 2025 Sustainability Targets, working to build regenerative supply chains that put back into the environment more resources than they take out. This is done in ways that are positive for business, for communities and for the planet.

Clover says that it has a long history in South Africa, stretching back to 1898. The brand has a vision to be a leading branded foods and beverages group in South Africa and selected African countries. It also aims to provide accessible nutrition to all consumers.

CHEP is a pioneer of the circular economy that is managing, maintaining, transporting and supplying more than 345 million pallets and containers for growers, manufacturers, distributors and retailers worldwide. Its platforms form the invisible backbone of global supply chains, while its share-and-reuse business model is intrinsically sustainable.

Celeste Enoch, customer relations manager at CHEP South Africa, says that while CHEP's model helped its partners to be more sustainable, it also made good business sense.

"We are proud to have developed strong relationships with partners like Clover to enable growth and competitiveness, as well as sustainability. We always try to collaborate with customers to improve their supply chains, reduce overall costs and improve operational efficiencies," concludes Enoch.

For more information, visit www.chep.com. You can also follow CHEP on Twitter or on Instagram