30 September 2019 – Unipart Logistics was highly commended in the Logistics Awards environmental category for removing more than 120 tonnes of single use plastic from Sky’s supply chain.
Sky launched their Ocean Rescue project in 2017 and made a commitment to remove all single use plastic from their supply chain by 2020.
As Sky’s supply chain partner of choice, Unipart rose to the challenge and set about identifying cost-neutral alternatives to plastic.
Through workshops involving employees, suppliers and their own environmental specialists, Unipart first engaged people about why the issue was important and then encouraged them to consider how plastics could be removed.
Replacing plastic bags with a paper alternative, padded mailbags with bespoke cardboard boxes, and pallet shrink wrapping with reusable Load Hog lids were among improvements made as a result.
Within a few months 127 tonnes of plastic in Sky’s supply chain was reduced to just two tonnes, with Unipart continuing innovation workshops aimed to eliminate plastic completely.
Claire Walters, Unipart Logistics Chief Commercial Officer, said: “We’re delighted to be highly commended in the environment category of the Logistics Awards for our work to remove more than 120 tonnes of plastic from Sky’s supply chain.
“Our success came from our people responding to a cause they felt passionately about, and working hard to identify innovative alternatives to plastic, working with suppliers to create alternatives where none were available. I’m really proud of the UK Sky team for all they have done to lead the way in removing single use plastic.”
The Logistics Awards 2019 ceremony took place on 26 September in Birmingham.
Read the full case study of the Unipart Logistics success in removing plastic from Sky’s supply chain on the Unipart Responsible Business website.