(Not) driving home for Christmas: Tesco and suppliers take trucks off the road to deliver a greener Christmas

The ‘Tetris’-style trial has delivered savings of over 400,000 road miles per year, a reduction of more than 450 tonnes of CO2

Tesco’s distribution teams are partnering with 15 of its major suppliers to reduce the number of trucks on the road over Christmas.

The retailer’s ‘road traffic control’ team has been busy reviewing which suppliers make deliveries to the same locations, and has now been able to consolidate and streamline the routes suppliers use when delivering to distribution centres. 

With Christmas favourites like trifle, parsnips, broccoli and carrots being moved together, and by combining loads, Tesco can stop trucks criss-crossing the country as products make their way onto shelves for customers.

The process finds products that can neatly fit into spaces on a truck by filling in the gaps and has resulted in savings of over 400,000 truck miles per year, equating to 17 trips around the globe. The change has removed 3,400 trucks off the road so far, leading to a saving of over 450 tonnes of CO2.

Trudy Wilson, Head of Supplier ordering at Tesco said: “By working closely with our suppliers and joining them up to use each other’s transport routes, we’re delighted to have delivered savings in emissions and costs for suppliers. The ‘Tetris’-style project helps us use as much space as we possibly can in our trucks over the Christmas period, making the most of every journey and helping keep trucks off the road at a busy time of year."

She finished by saying: "We have exciting plans for the year ahead and are hoping to expand the project with more suppliers coming on board.”