Royal FloraHolland expands waste separation: waste is a valuable resource

By improving waste separation at the source, Royal FloraHolland reduces its residual waste stream and the organisation's ecological footprint. With a phased approach, Royal FloraHolland successfully started in 2024 with the head offices & restaurants. This year to, among others, the logistics offices & canteens and the central environmental islands.

Some results from 2024:

• Total waste production in 2024 has decreased by 5% compared to 2023, which has led to a gross reduction in CO₂ emissions of approximately 615,000 kg.
• Last year, 53% of total waste was recycled and 21% was composted.
  
• A random check in 2024 shows that residual waste at the head offices in Aalsmeer and Naaldwijk has already been reduced by an average of 50%.
  

Royal FloraHolland has introduced new and socially responsible methods for waste collection and recycling. For example, pallets are donated to local summer holiday organisations and deposits from cans and bottles are donated to the Food Bank. This way, (residual) waste is given a second, socially responsible purpose.

From waste to circular raw material

Royal FloraHolland focuses on minimising its ecological footprint by processing waste in a high-quality manner and reusing it optimally. This is achieved through efficient waste separation and innovative recycling initiatives, among other things. Since September 2022, Royal FloraHolland has been working with Facilicom and its partners Kras Recycling and Milieuservice Nederland (MSN) to process waste streams as sustainably as possible.

‘As a cooperative, we are committed to reducing our CO2 emissions in order to comply with the guidelines of the Paris Climate Agreement. To this end, we are working on, among other things, the circular use of raw materials, whereby we see our waste not as an end point, but as an opportunity to reuse valuable materials,’ says Maarten Bánki, manager of sustainable development & quality at Royal FloraHolland. ‘With a uniform and optimised approach, we not only encourage reuse, but also reduce our impact on the environment and make a contribution on a social level.’

Looking to the future

In 2025, Royal FloraHolland will take the next steps in its sustainability strategy. Logistics offices and canteens in Aalsmeer, Naaldwijk and Rijnsburg will be further renovated to improve waste separation at the source. In addition, the central environmental islands in the logistics environment will be optimised. ‘This year, pilots will be launched to see what the best design is for achieving better waste separation results there as well. As a cooperative, we want to show that circular waste management is not only necessary, but also feasible," says Auke Boerma, Project Manager Sustainable Development & Quality at Royal FloraHolland.