A NEW packaging solution is being adopted by one of the borough’s businesses.
Virgin Media, which operates from Winnersh Triangle, is reducing its use of single-use plastics with a new box in partnership with GXO Logisitics.
The firm says the switch has saved almost 48 tonnes of plastic.
“GXO and Virgin Media O2 are working together to create a supply chain that is as environmentally responsible as it is efficient and reliable,” said Meagan Fitzsimmons, GXO’s Chief Compliance and ESG Officer.
“Companies have to reduce single-use plastics from their supply chain to meet regulatory requirements and environmental goals. These results show what’s possible with a best-in-class partnership.
“Through great collaboration, open thinking, and innovation, we can help to significantly reduce and remove single-use plastics from the supply chain.
“We’re really proud of our partnership with Virgin Media O2 and the work we have done to continuously remove plastic waste from our operation.”
Virgin Media O2 is committing says it aims to achieve zero waste operations and products by the end of 2025, while one of GXO’s ESG goals includes an 80% global landfill diversion rate by 2025.
Between 2021 and 2023, the single-use plastic consumption per year went from 50.7 tonnes to 2.9 tonnes.
The firm achieved this through its new packaging for cable customers, a closed-loop process with the company’s repair operation, shipping returned products using pallet lids rather than pallet wraps.
It also replaced packaging materials with sustainable alternatives, such as substituting bubbled envelopes with reusable Jiffy Green bags and replacing parcel tape with a gummed paper solution.
Dana Haidan, Chief Sustainability Officer at Virgin Media O2, said: “As a leading UK business, we’re committed to minimising our impact on the planet.
“Through our partnership with GXO, we are removing waste and single-use plastic from products that are sent to customers and using materials which can be easily recycled.
“It forms part of our sustainability strategy, the Better Connections Plan, where we’re working to become a zero waste business by the end of next year.”
