Koninklijke Grolsch and De Klok Dranken recently received their third Lean & Green star. This award confirms the commitment of the brewery and its subsidiary De Klok Dranken to making the logistics chain structurally more sustainable and achieving substantial CO₂ reductions.

 

The Lean & Green star is awarded to organisations that can demonstrate that they are making their logistics processes more sustainable. Grolsch and De Klok Dranken have achieved this by, among other things:

• Commissioning a new (sustainable) distribution centre for De Klok Dranken in Almere. The redistribution of routes has led to fewer kilometres driven and lower fuel consumption.
• Optimising load capacity, route planning and the ordering process, resulting in fewer trips and lower emissions;
• Using intermodal transport to and from England, with most of the beer being transported by inland waterway instead of by road. This results in direct savings in CO2 consumption and contributes to reducing traffic congestion on the road network;
• Transferring cellar beer installations to short trailers with electrically controlled rear axles. These trailers are pulled by new Euro 6 tractors.

Just do it
“This third Lean & Green star is the crowning glory of our work,” says Alwin Kulsdom, Team Leader Shipping & Forwarding at Grolsch. “We are constantly looking for ways to make our logistics smarter, more efficient and, above all, more sustainable. We don't do this alone, but together with our chain partners”. The best tip for becoming more sustainable?

 

'Just do it! Incorporate sustainability into everything you do so that you are constantly taking small steps. It's about consistency and perseverance: lots of small steps ultimately have a big impact'.

 

Sustainable. Character.
Grolsch's sustainability strategy, under the name Sustainable. Character., focuses on six priorities: reducing CO2 emissions and energy consumption, maximising circular packaging, optimising transport, reducing and securing water consumption, promoting inclusivity and well-being, and promoting responsible alcohol consumption. The brewery's goal is to be completely climate neutral by 2030.

 

By achieving the third Lean & Green star, Grolsch and De Klok Dranken confirm their pioneering role in the Dutch beverage industry and demonstrate that sustainability and logistical efficiency can go hand in hand.