UK retailer Tesco is partnering with 15 of its major suppliers to reduce the number of trucks on the road this Christmas.
The retailer’s road traffic control team has been reviewing which suppliers deliver to the same locations. It has now been able to consolidate and streamline the routes suppliers use when delivering to distribution centres.
With Christmas “favourites” such as trifle, parsnips, broccoli and carrots being moved together, and by combining loads, Tesco says it can stop trucks criss-crossing the country as products make their way onto shelves for customers.
The change is claimed to have taken more than 3400 trucks off the road so far, leading to a saving of over 450 tonnes of CO2.
“By working closely with our suppliers and joining them up to use each other’s transport routes, we’re delighted to have delivered savings in emissions and costs for suppliers,” says Tesco Head of Supplier Trudy Wilson.
“The Tetris-style project helps us use as much space as possible in our trucks over the Christmas period, making the most of every journey and helping to keep trucks off the road at a busy time of year.
“We have exciting plans for the year ahead and are hoping to expand the project with more suppliers coming on board.”