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The WestCountry team are committed to operating a highly efficient and sustainable business and logistics operation, one where we strive to minimise our impacts on the environment and contribute positively to the communities that we operate and live in.
We work with our customers and suppliers to reduce our collective impact on the local environment. Our sustainable procurement policy sets out the principles, policies and procedures on which our business practices are based, the policy acts as a prompt to all our team to consider sustainability as a factor in all our purchasing and customer related decision making, we actively seek to minimise any adverse environmental impacts of our daily trading and logistics activities.
We deliver and collect produce on the same efficient daily routes across the region, scheduled in order to maximise the use of each vehicle journey, consolidating the collection and delivery of fresh produce, dairy, dry stores and local artisan ranges onto the same routes. This highly efficient and sustainable network connects over 100 local seasonal growers and over 60 regional artisan producers with over 2,500 caterers and retailers right across the South West.
We are committed to the reduction of packaging on products, where packaging is used, we request through our supply chain that it is biodegradable wherever possible and we promote the removal of non-essential packaging at the time of delivery. We actively encourage, re-use and recycle boxes and crates through our supply chain and daily pick-pack operations. We comply with all regulatory and legislative requirements as a minimum level of operational performance.
Other examples of the investments and sustainability initiatives undertaken within the business across our three sites are in the installation of energy and water efficiency systems at our depots, as well as making significant Solar PV investment on our warehouse infrastructure. We have run pilot schemes for a fully integrated returnable box scheme for deliveries to evaluate the impact and potential reductions in the use of packaging for deliveries.
We have also trialled the integration of commercial EV vehicle use within our delivery network. Initial trials of EV vehicles have tested the technology, viability of commercial load requirements, multi-drop feasibility and battery range of these vehicles, to see how they might meet the needs for our fleet in the future. These initial trials will help shape our future investment in this technology and innovation.
As a locally focused business we contribute financially to excellent community and environmental initiatives focused on reducing all of our impacts on the environment, recent examples being the Beach Guardian scheme and the Final Straw campaign.
WestCountry is determined to positively impact on the local environment and our communities, where we help to promote a sustainable circular economy that protects and secures the future prosperity of our region. Request our policy documents here.
Having joined the Country Range Group in 2024 we are excited to be continuing the next stage of our sustainability journey with their support. Like us, CRG believe that sustainable practices are a necessity for doing business, especially within wholesale foodservice. With the future of the sector being shaped by consumer trends, government legislation and technology, it is more important than ever to focus on our environmental impact.
