- These crates can be reused over 120 times, are easily repairable and are 100% recyclable, which benefits the whole distribution chain.
- By reusing these Mercadona green crates, the use of over 200,000 tonnes of materials is avoided per year, and 107,072 lorry journeys are eliminated per year, which reduces CO2 emissions.
Mercadona, aware of the importance of caring for the planet, works to ensure that all processes are as sustainable and environmentally friendly as possible. An example of this are the green crates used to transport and display fruit and vegetables at Mercadona. These crates, developed in collaboration with Logifruit, a Mercadona logistics Totaler Supplier for over 25 years, are a part of this commitment to a more environmentally friendly business model.
Mercadona green crates: more than containers
These green crates are much more than containers. They are reusable crates that can be reused more than 120 times, can be repaired and are made of recyclable plastic, with an average lifespan of 5 years. The transition from rigid crates to collapsible crates was a milestone in the Mercadona sustainable logistics strategy. This innovation, in collaboration with Logifruit, represents a robust circular economy model.
At Mercadona, these crates contribute to:
- Responsible resource management. The use of these green crates avoids the use of over 200,000 tonnes of raw materials per year.
- Reduction of emissions. The use of these green crates contributes to the reduction of CO2 emissions by cutting the need for over 107,072 lorry journeys per year.
- Efficient transport. Thanks to the collapsible crates, up to three times more crates are now transported per lorry compared with rigid crates, which has significantly reduced Mercadona’s carbon footprint.
- Long lifespan containers. After each use, each crate undergoes a rigorous cleaning and disinfection process. When necessary, they are repaired, and at the end of their lifespan, they are recycled and converted into new crates.
Life cycle of Mercadona's green crates.
Continuous commitment to sustainability
Mercadona has used these reusable and recyclable green crates for over 25 years. It is an example of its commitment to the circular economy.
As a result of this commitment to caring for the environment, Mercadona allocated 57 million euros to environmental protection policies and measures in the 2023 financial year.
Learn more information about our actions and sustainable commitment.