Context

In 2024, a major Belgian retailer was facing significant challenges in managing its plastic packaging waste. Although the company wanted to reduce its use of packaging, it had neither effective sorting processes nor clear visibility of its waste volumes. This management resulted in significant additional costs in terms of taxes and inefficient recovery of waste streams, impacting both the company's profitability and environmental footprint. Faced with these challenges, the company called on Intysify's expertise to structure and optimize its waste management processes, ensuring both a reduction in costs and a positive environmental impact.

The main objective of the assignment was to enable the company to reduce its waste-related costs while improving its sorting management and optimising its environmental practices. To achieve this, the company first needed to gain a better understanding of its waste volumes and associated costs to define an effective and appropriate reduction strategy. One of the challenges has been to implement more rigorous sorting to avoid financial penalties while optimising waste recovery.

Our impact.

To provide concrete and effective solutions, Intysify first worked on reorganizing data and clarifying waste-related costs. Our consultants put in place a rigorous data collection methodology and defined a 'base year' to obtain accurate references on waste volumes and flows. This approach made it possible to set measurable and consistent targets for reducing plastic packaging.

Intysify then helped the chain implement optimized processes to improve waste sorting. This included a review of shop and warehouse practices, with specific recommendations aimed at reducing sorting errors and minimizing the tax penalties associated with inefficient management. Intysify then coordinated a team of experts to work on new sustainable packaging solutions. With this team, our consultants have designed new packaging that uses less plastic, depending on the type of product - cereals, starches, fruit and vegetables, etc. In fact, each product has different packaging challenges and constraints based on its life cycle, shelf life, preservation, protection, handling, transportation, storage and the information communicated on the packaging. The human aspect of the project was also a key lever for success. By involving internally mobile employees in the process, the company not only improved its operational efficiency, but also strengthened its social commitment by offering training and reintegration opportunities within the company. Finally, a social dimension was integrated into the project with the aim of involving employees in internal mobility, thus contributing to a social and inclusive sustainable transformation of waste management practices.

Thanks to this mission, the company has been able to reduce its waste-related costs, optimize its sorting processes and improve the recovery of recyclable materials. By structuring more efficient management and involving its employees in the transformation, the company has reduced its environmental footprint while generating tangible economic and social benefits.

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