Packaging, transportation and efficiency: The real impact of a sustainable 3PL

At the heart of every product that reaches your hands is a hidden story of logistical innovation. When you enjoy a medicine that arrived in perfect condition or receive a package intact despite inclement weather, you are experiencing the transformative power of a well-designed supply chain. Today, that chain must be efficient, and responsible to our planet.

The triple logistics revolution: The journey to a greener future

Every day we are more aware that our logistics decisions have a direct impact on the world that the next generations will inherit. As Juan Carlos Castro Aldana, CEO of Solistica Colombia, said: "Logistics sustainability is not an option; it is our commitment to the future. This vision is realized through three fundamental elements that are transforming the way we connect products with people.

Contemporary challenges in sustainable logistics:

• Protecting the product without harming the planet
• Reducing emissions without sacrificing efficiency
• Optimization of processes with lower energy consumption
• Integrating technology with environmental purpose

Revolutionizing packaging: When protecting also means preserving

Have you ever wondered what happens to that packaging that protected your product after it served its purpose? The traditional answer used to be troubling: most of it ended up in landfills, contaminating for decades. Today, we are writing a different story.

In the world of refrigerated transport, Green Box and Credo Cube solutions are changing the rules of the game. Imagine containers that keep your medicines or food at the perfect temperature for up to 120 hours, and then, instead of becoming waste, are transformed into new resources.

Refrigerant components are composted to grow food, while plastic elements find new life as building materials.

"Each shipment protected with our sustainable solutions represents approximately 3 kilograms less Styrofoam in landfills," says Maria Fernanda, leader of the Green Box project. This transformation not only benefits the environment, but has reduced operating times by 20%, proving that doing the right thing can also be the most efficient way to go. (Blog - Solistica)

Transport reinvented: Every kilometer counts, every emission matters.

The movement of goods represents one of the greatest environmental challenges of our time. However, thanks to the integration of electric vehicles with 250 kilometers of autonomy and bicycles specially designed for the last mile, we are witnessing a true silent revolution in our cities.

Case Study: Logistics Transformation with Measurable Impact

The collaboration with Coca-Cola FEMSA perfectly illustrates how sustainability can be a competitive advantage. By implementing a fleet with natural gas technology and optimizing logistics processes, the results were impressive:

• Cost reduction in packaging materials: approximately one million dollars.
• Productivity increase: 55% on bottle lines
• Multiplied efficiency: 300% on Tetra Paks
• Extraordinary ROI: payback in just eight months

At first, there were doubts about whether a more sustainable operation could maintain the efficiency standards we needed. Today, the numbers speak for themselves: we are more agile, more competitive and more environmentally responsible. (Blog - Solistica)

Increased operational efficiency: When technology embraces sustainability.

The magic of truly sustainable logistics happens when we integrate purposeful technology into every operational process. Pallet Shuttle storage systems allow you to store products in significantly less space, reducing the areas requiring refrigeration and, therefore, energy consumption.

Think of a warehouse where each product finds its optimal location to facilitate its retrieval and to minimize its environmental footprint. Where WMS (Warehouse Management System) systems allow you to manage inventories considering factors such as expiration date, avoiding unnecessary waste.

The results of these transformations are as real as they are inspiring:

• Saving 457,000 liters of water in vehicle washing operations in Brazil.
• Recycled 92% of waste generated in collaboration with local waste collectors
• Recycling 93% of non-hazardous waste in Mexico.

Every liter of water we reuse, every kilogram of material we recycle, represents a tangible commitment to the communities where we operate. (Blog - Mecalux)

A comprehensive strategy: People, planet and shared prosperity.

True sustainable transformation emerges when we integrate every aspect of the business into a coherent and committed vision. This transformation is built on three essential pillars:

1. "Our People": the extraordinary human team that has accumulated more than 233,148 hours of training in sustainability and safety. As Ana Lucía Vega, Development Coordinator, comments: "Each trained employee becomes an ambassador of sustainability, both inside and outside our facilities".
2. "Our Planet": Concrete actions such as the 6% reduction in GHG emissions and the retreading of 586 tires, which generated savings of more than 3 million Mexican pesos. "Sustainability is not only good for the planet, it is smart for business," says Pedro Sanchez, Operations Manager.
3. "Our Community: 95% of acquisitions made from local suppliers in Mexico and the consolidation of 286 strategic alliances through the CÍRCULO NARANJA program demonstrate a real commitment to the economic development of the communities where we operate. (Blog - Solistica)

Innovation in action: Packaging that tells stories of transformation

The world of sustainable packaging is in constant motion, with innovations that reflect our commitment to a more responsible future:

1. Smart sizing: why use a big box when a small one will do? By tailoring each container exactly to the product it carries, we eliminate empty space, reduce material and optimize each shipment.
   
   
2. Materials with purpose: 36% of our inputs come from recycled sources, and by 2023 we will recycle 743.15 tons of paper and cardboard. "Each recycled box represents one less tree cut down and one more step towards the circular economy," explains Laura Torres, Sustainability Specialist.
   
   
3. Full cycle: When the plastic components of our environmentally friendly packaging reach the end of their useful life, they find a new purpose as building bricks. The cooling gels are transformed into compost, nurturing crops in a perfect cycle of regeneration.

"Seeing how materials we used to discard now nourish gardens and build homes makes me feel that we are on the right path," shares Javier Mendez, leader of the recycling program. (Blog - Solistica)

Innovation is not a destination, it is our shared path.

The journey to truly sustainable logistics is a continuous journey of evolution and improvement. Every decision, from how we design a package to which route we select for a shipment, represents an opportunity to create positive value for our customers, communities, and the planet.

The benefits of this approach are manifold:

• More efficient and less costly operations
• Strengthened brand perception among conscious consumers
• Innovation capacity accelerated by sustainable challenges
• Access to markets with increasingly stringent environmental regulations.

Can you imagine how your supply chain could be transformed by this approach? What opportunities could arise by turning every logistics decision into a step towards sustainability?

We invite you to explore together the potential of logistics that delivers products on time and does so while respecting the only home we share. Our team is ready to accompany you on this transformative journey, designing customized solutions that meet your specific needs as we build a more sustainable future for all.

Start your journey to a greener, more efficient supply chain today. The next big logistics transformation story could be yours. Visit www.solisica.com for more information.