GXO Logistics and Greene King have announced a series of sustainability achievements resulting from their long-standing partnership, which began in 2012, across a range of areas, notably fleet decarbonisation, waste reduction, recycling and community impact.
“When a customer and logistics provider operate as true partners with a shared commitment to sustainability, great results follow,” said Chris Hyde, Managing Director – Food and Drink, GXO UK and Ireland.
“GXO’s commitment to environmental sustainability combined with Greene King’s ‘Greene King for Good’ programme have enabled us to deliver tangible benefits, particularly in decarbonisation and waste reduction. We are delighted with these results and look forward to advancing our progress to carbon reduction and waste diversion targets.”
Vance Fairman-Smith, Group Supply Chain Director, Greene King, said:
“Our ongoing partnership with GXO is enabling us to drive forward best practices and innovation and adopt a range of environmentally responsible operational measures. By leveraging innovation, technology and best practice to reduce inefficiency and waste within the supply chain, the partnership has enabled us to make progress towards our sustainability targets and create more sustainable supply chain. This is good for our teams, communities, and customers.”
Since 2019, GXO and Greene King have reduced carbon intensity (gCO2e/km), thanks to a combination of technology and behavioural change. Key initiatives include:
- A structured driver performance management system, which improved fuel efficiency (MPG) by over 10% in 2024 alone
- Investment in Eco Drive hydro-electric refrigeration technology, reducing fuel use by 2–4% since 2022
- Over the last 3 years, the companies have installed strip and air curtains in refrigerated trailers, cutting energy consumption by up to 50% during deliveries
The companies have also trialled biodiesel, HVO, and electric vehicles – including using waste oil from pubs to power vehicles – which can potentially reduce emissions by up to 90% compared to diesel.
By utilizing GXO’s reverse logistics capabilities and improving material quality, the partnership reduced weekly waste collections, eliminating over 160,000 journeys annually.
In 2024, GXO and Greene King recycled:
- Over 2.7 million litres of used cooking oil
- More than 4,000 tonnes of cardboard
- 250+ tonnes of metal
- 55+ tonnes of plastic
- 9,000+ tonnes of food waste sent to anaerobic digestion
In 2024, Greene King also expanded its recycling efforts to include ink cartridges, batteries, correx boards, and crushed glass in London.
Beyond recycling, the partnership also prioritised food redistribution. Over 90% of excess food at depots was donated to charities such as The Bread and Butter Thing and The Felix Project, resulting in an estimated 240,000 meals donated in 2024.
The annual Tub2Pub campaign further demonstrated community impact by encouraging the public to recycle confectionery tubs at Greene King pubs. The initiative collected over 240,000 tubs and raised more than £10,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support. The recycled plastic was repurposed into furniture, creating a circular economy model that benefits both people and the planet.
