Waste Reduction, Management and Optimization across CEVA Facilities in France

CEVA is dedicated to sustainable logistics solutions and practices, with a CSR commitment whose foundation stands on three pillars—Acting for People, Acting for Planet and Acting for Fair Trade. With an ambitious goal of decarbonizing operations by 2050, CEVA’s sustainability projects span the globe. Most recently, CEVA in France conducted a large-scale waste management project in partnership with the consultancy firm and experts on the topic, Particule. The project has transformed CEVA’s approach to waste management and circular economy in France, achieving remarkable environmental and economic benefits. 

Pioneering a new approach to waste management 

In order to reduce overall waste and improve waste management across CEVA’s facilities in France, the company launched the waste management project, representing a comprehensive overhaul of CEVA’s waste management strategy, combining centralized contract management with new technologies. At the heart of this transformation is the implementation of WastePilot, an advanced software solution that streamlines the entire waste management process, from initial collection requests to the provision of consolidated KPIs. 

The project’s main objectives include: 

• Establish effective monitoring of waste production and recycling metrics across all sites 

• Optimize costs through enhanced recycling practices and reduction in the number of waste collections 

• Minimize environmental impact: resource preservation and reduction of GHG emissions 

• Ensure full regulatory compliance  

The implementation phase began with a thorough assessment of CEVA’s facilities led by Particule and CEVA’s QHSE Central Team in France. Their initial audit of 110 CEVA facilities (including our subsidiary, Colis Privé) examined the different types of waste, quantities and existing waste management and recycling contracts. The QHSE and consulting teams conducted rigorous staff training programs and established continuous improvement protocols for ongoing optimization.  

A major step in the project was the installation of cardboard baling presses across three facilities. The machines are specifically designed to decrease cardboard and plastic waste volumes, but also help reduce human sorting errors and significantly reduce transport requirements for removing waste from the affected facilities by more than 15x. 

Looking ahead 

The next phase of CEVA’s better waste practices and circular economy project in France focuses on targeting initiatives across five key areas: 

1. Implement cigarette waste management solutions 

2. Test composting systems for food waste management 

3. Enhance sorting protocols for pallet straps and glassine label backings 

4. Improve office waste recycling systems 

5. Develop an equipment exchange application between sites to maximize resource efficiency 

6. Aid CEVA customers in donating broken or out-of-service products to local associations instead of going to waste, whenever possible 

7. Send some of CEVA’s recyclable materials directly to manufacturers for use as raw materials 

The success of the project demonstrates that with the right combination of technology, expertise, and commitment, significant environmental improvements can be achieved while delivering substantial cost benefits. As CEVA continues its journey toward zero-waste and a better circular economy, it sets new standards for sustainability in the logistics sector. The project stands as a testament to the possibility of achieving ambitious sustainability goals while maintaining strong business performance.