3. Environment More efficient waste processing through partnership with WM In the United States, the Group’s Global Contract Logistics business works closely with WM, a service provider specializing in waste collection, treatment and recycling. This partnership includes waste-to-energy programs, disposal of customer waste, hazardous waste and all types of recycling. As part of this partnership, the Load Max program was launched to optimize waste collection at GEODIS sites. 21 sites were equipped with a compactor monitoring system to ensure that compactors were full before sending out a truck with a replacement dumpster. Prior to the installation of this tool, dumpsters were collected at a set frequency and in some cases were only 10 to 25% full. The implementation of Load Max has improved the quality of waste sorting, and eliminated unnecessary trips as well as additional charges for empty runs (applied when the dumpsters are not full). On average, dumpsters are now over 85% full. 3.4 Other environmental challenges GEODIS is fully aware of the environmental impact of its logistics and transport activities, and of the growth in demand for its services. The Group strives to limit the environmental impact of its activities, and is sensitive to other issues such as noise pollution and declining biodiversity, which are driven by the pressure that its activities and infrastructures can create on the environment. The Group is developing an offer of low-emission deliveries, taking action to promote biodiversity at its existing sites and integrating this dimension into its new projects. Like all other companies in the transport and logistics sector, GEODIS seeks to satisfy three seemingly contradictory priorities: meeting a very strong need for essential infrastructure to support the growth in logistics requirements, moving towards low-carbon emissions and atmospheric pollutants, and protecting endangered natural ecosystems. Warehouses with a low environmental impact In October 2023, GEODIS opened a 20,000 sqm distribution center in Shanghai to support the development of its customers’ business activities in China. The site is equipped with the finest technologies to guarantee a reduced carbon footprint: the use of sustainable building materials for the warehouse facade, LED lights and motion detectors, automatic energy consumption control systems and energy-efficient air conditioning units. These features have been certified Platinum by LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), the highest possible level of accreditation for the world’s most widely used building environmental performance rating system. Similarly, for the construction project of a logistics campus in Venlo, in the Netherlands, the Group took particular care over the building design. The aim was to incorporate environmental standards that will enable the site to obtain BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) certification. 3.4.1 Noise pollution The World Health Organization (WHO) defines the threshold for exposure to noise as 68 decibels. Above this level, people are exposed to significant health risks: hearing can be impaired, life expectancy altered by adverse effects on the immune system, and sleep and anxiety disorders can occur. Noise pollution has many possible causes, including road, air and rail traffic, construction work and neighborhood disturbances. In France, according to the French Environment and Energy Management Agency (ADEME), road traffic is the main cause of noise pollution, ahead of air and rail traffic. In a survey carried out by the Noise Information Center, 57% of respondents said they were bothered by noise from motorbikes, followed by cars (25%), horns (12%) and trucks (6%). Regulations have been put in place to limit noise pollution: these mainly involve traffic restrictions, speed limits, mandatory delivery times and stricter standards on the types of vehicles used. GEODIS strives to set an example in terms of compliance with regulations, but also seeks to anticipate and implement solutions that target noise reduction during deliveries with local authorities and/or its customers. Route optimization tools, real-time tracking, delivery slot announcements that can be modified by the recipient, and traffic monitoring all help to reduce delivery frequency. Driver training in handling operations, as well as the equipment provided (pallet trucks, for example), help to ensure quiet conditions for local residents. GEODIS deliveries combine low-carbon vehicles (bio-CNG, electric) with regularly maintained pneumatic equipment and cycle logistics systems, contributing to the Group’s efforts to reduce noise. 54 - 2023 ACTIVITY AND SUSTAINABILITY REPORT
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