Cogit uses Life Cycle Assessment to inform its clients' logistics decisions
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A subsidiary of the Alizon Group, Cogit LGC specializes in the rental of reusable shipping containers for businesses.
Industrial players are demanding greater transparency regarding the impact of the solutions used for the transportation and logistics of their goods. However, the lack of consensus among existing studies makes it difficult to accurately assess the benefits of reusable packaging.
By 2025, Alizon hopes to assess the impact of its products and services, starting with a reusable container model offered by Cogit LGC (EA616).
The challenge is to to better understand the various environmental impacts (climate, resources, water, etc.) of such a solution and to compare to a disposable packaging alternative. The Group also wishes to Identify initial approaches to reducing the impact.
Carbone 4 assisted Cogit LGC in the development of a Comparative Life Cycle Assessment of the use of single-use cardboard crates versus reusable plastic crates for transporting one metric ton of fresh produce.
The study considered The entire journey of cardboard boxes and reusable containers : upstream (extraction, processing...), manufacturing, transportation, washing, and end-of-life. To provide a comprehensive analysis of the impact of reusable solutions, Carbone 4 made sure to include the complexity of transportation flows partners, taking into account the routes between the production site, distribution centers, stores, and laundry facilities.
Data collection was significantly accelerated by the traceability system developed in-house by Cogit. The company was thus able to easily access the data needed for the study (distances, capacities, origins of raw materials, etc.).
Because the actual benefit of reusable products depends on specific factors (logistics, refilling, number of life cycles), Carbone 4 has developed a Custom impact calculator. This tool enables teams to provide personalized assessments to each client.
The Life Cycle Assessment provided a comparison of the performance of the two solutions (cardboard boxes and reusable plastic crates) across several key indicators: climate change, water consumption, human health, mineral resources, and fine particulate matter.
From Carbon Impact Measurement to Eco-Design Strategies
In terms of carbon impact, Cogit now has a detailed breakdown of the carbon footprint of its reusable crates for each metric ton of fresh produce transported at every stage of the life cycle—crate manufacturing, logistics, washing, and end of life—and is aware of the critical areas.
To facilitate the transition to action, Carbone 4 has also identified concrete measures for reducing the carbon footprint and promoting eco-design: optimizing logistics flows (distances, modal shift), improving load factors, and establishing a recycling system for end-of-life crates.
The Calculator: An Operational Business Tool
Thanks to the simulation tool, Cogit can now help its customers understand the impact of various existing transportation solutions by tailoring the analysis to their specific logistics needs.
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