How Constellation is Reducing Waste, Fighting Hunger, and Building a More Sustainable Future

Cold storage plays a critical role in addressing some of the most pressing challenges of our time – food waste, poverty, sustainability, and global food security. These challenges demand action from every link in the supply chain. 

At Constellation, we are committed to leveraging our position as Europe’s leading cold storage provider to deliver meaningful change for our customers

• Carlos Rodriguez, Constellation CEO 

Food waste is a global issue with severe environmental, social and economic consequences. An estimated 23% of food waste occurs during distribution, often due to spoilage or inefficiencies in inventory management. Our cold storage service plays a key role in tackling this issue by extending the shelf life of our customers’ products and maintaining those products’ quality.

Freezing food is one of the most effective ways to preserve it for longer, enabling perishable goods to meet fluctuating demand without unnecessary waste. At Constellation, our advanced warehouse management systems track expiration dates with precision, enabling proactive adjustments that minimise spoilage and overstocking.

These systems not only support efficient supply chains but also create opportunities to align with our United Nations Sustainable Development Goals . Reducing food waste at the distribution stage helps ensure that valuable resources are used effectively, benefiting businesses, consumers and the environment.

Fighting Food Poverty

Cold storage can help to address food poverty by making essential goods more accessible. Frozen foods, such as meat and poultry, are often twice as affordable as their fresh counterparts, providing an economical option for lower-income households.

At Constellation, we take this a step further. We partner with local food banks, for example in Belgium, where we work with our customers to donate products nearing their expiration dates or with minor packaging defects. These initiatives provide food to families in need while ensuring that edible goods do not go to waste. This approach reflects our belief that what we do is about more than cold storage logistics – it’s about supporting communities and ensuring that surplus food reaches those who need it most.

While we prioritise redistributing surplus food to those in need, we understand that not all products can be saved for human consumption. In such cases, we adhere to the principles of the food waste hierarchy to ensure that waste is managed in the most sustainable way possible.

Where safe and appropriate, surplus food unsuitable for human consumption is sent for processing as animal feed, preventing it from going to waste. For products that cannot be repurposed for animals, we use anaerobic digestion, converting organic material into renewable energy and nutrient-rich biofertiliser.

By following this approach, we minimise waste at every level, ensuring that no resource is wasted unnecessarily.

Focusing on Sustainability

As part of our commitment to a sustainable future – including our Net Zero plan –  Constellation integrates energy-efficient practices and circular economy principles into our operations. This ensures we not only reduce waste but also minimise our environmental footprint.

We are implementing cutting-edge energy-efficient cooling systems and retrofitting our facilities with renewable energy sources, reflecting our commitment to sustainability and leadership in the cold storage sector. Our solar installations generated an impressive 5.8 GWh of power in 2023, and our total group solar capacity now exceeds 12.4 MW across key sites in the UK, Norway, the Netherlands, and Belgium. These efforts not only reduce our reliance on non-renewable energy but also set a benchmark for integrating renewable solutions within our industry.

In addition to renewable energy, we have adopted advanced technologies to enhance energy efficiency. From state-of-the-art refrigeration systems to LED lighting, improved building insulation, and rapid-roll doors, every upgrade is designed to lower energy consumption while ensuring optimal storage conditions. At our Val-de-Meuse site, for example, we invested €500,000 to reduce refrigeration energy use by an impressive 40%.

These initiatives go beyond compliance with EU climate goals, showcasing a proactive approach to reducing emissions across our operations. We’re proud that those efforts are being noticed. Back in February 2024, Constellation UK was shortlisted for a “Sustainability Champions” award. By combining renewable energy generation with strategic retrofits and efficiency measures, we are setting the stage for a more sustainable future while maintaining the uncompromising quality our clients expect.

Building Resilience in Food Security

Cold storage is a critical part of strengthening food security, especially during times of disruption. Whether caused by pandemics, extreme weather, or geopolitical instability, resilient supply chains are essential for ensuring the continued availability of vital goods.

Our European facilities act as buffer zones, preserving stockpiles of essential products and helping to mitigate the impact of potential disruptions. This capability ensures that supply chains can continue to function, even when unforeseen challenges arise, providing stability to both businesses and communities.

Beyond stockpiling, the flexibility of modern cold storage systems allows for rapid adaptation in the face of change. This can involve quickly switching suppliers, altering cold storage transport methods, or redistributing products to meet demand, ensuring that food and other perishable goods reach their destinations in a timely and efficient manner, even in complex or unpredictable scenarios.

Choosing the Right Cold Storage Partner

Our extensive European network, advanced technology, and commitment to sustainability set us apart. We help businesses reduce food waste, improve supply chains, and meet their sustainability goals. Together, we can address the global food waste crisis and create a more sustainable future.

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