Virgin Media O2

The successful partnership between GXO, the world’s largest pure-play contract logistics provider, and Virgin Media O2, a major broadband provider has helped to create a more sustainable supply chain.

Together, the companies have slashed consumption of single-use plastics (SUP) from 92.5 tonnes per year in 2017 to 2.9 tonnes per year – a 97% reduction.

The remaining 3% is required for safety purposes but further initiatives are under review.

SUP reduction initiatives included: introducing pallet collars for movements between the NDC and RDCs, forming a closed loop, with RDCs using them to return waste; implementing a closed-loop solution with its repair partner, shipping product using pallet lids, saving plastic in the GXO operation as well as the partner’s; replacing plastic bubbled envelopes with Jiffy Green bags; removing all SUP associated with products before they reach the customer, eliminating the possibility of it being disposed of as general waste - 100% of this SUP is recycled, along with all SUP removed by technicians in customers’ homes.

The most significant initiative involved the implementation of a plastic-free solution for customers returning their equipment, which eliminated 22 tonnes of SUP per year.