Kamps, Inc., a leader in the national pallet recycling services and pallet sales sector, has released its 2022 Environmental Sustainability Report (ESR). This marks the company’s second annual ESR, underscoring its ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship. The report provides a detailed account of Kamps’ environmental impact from both a corporate and operational standpoint, reflecting the evolution of its Green Scorecard initiatives aimed at tracking, reporting, and advancing progress in areas of critical stakeholder interest.
The ESR is pivotal for Kamps as it quantifies its substantial role in supply chains and communities nationwide. The report not only substantiates Kamps’ claims with the latest research but also serves as a vital tool for the company’s internal teams to evaluate their ecological footprint, informing the development of future strategies. Furthermore, the ESR assures customers of Kamps’ alignment with their environmental goals, emphasizing the significant impact of Kamps’ services on their sustainability journeys.
The 2022 ESR includes the following highlights:
Carbon Footprint Analysis & Methodology Enhancements
The baseline carbon footprint assessment conducted by Kamps revealed that approximately 46,000 metric tons of CO2-e (carbon dioxide equivalent gases) were emitted in 2022. This emission rate corresponds to the recycling of over 199 million pallets across Kamps-owned facilities, boasting a lower emission rate per pallet recycled than the industry average. Notably, the report sheds light on improved methodologies for calculating Scope 2 emissions, transitioning from reliance on historical data to utilizing actual electricity usage data obtained directly from providers, enhancing the precision of emissions representation.
Logistics Fleet Carbon Footprint
A significant portion of Kamps’ operational carbon footprint, over half, is ascribed to the fuel consumption associated with its Logistics fleet operations. To mitigate this, Kamps has collaborated with a national communications and SaaS company to fine-tune fleet performance and routing. The year 2022 saw an increase in overall route time by 1.63%, which correlated with a surge in miles traveled by approximately 80%. This was largely due to the incorporation of newly acquired locations into the Kamps network.
For example, overall pickups and deliveries increased by 32%, while overall route time only increased by 1.63%. Kamps expects our strategy of comprehensively integrating acquired locations onto Kamps systems and standards to yield positive results in the coming years.
Carbon Offsets
In 2022, Kamps recycled an impressive tally of over 390 million pallets across its entire network, leading to the offset of 10,309,336 metric tons of CO2 emissions. A specialized carbon handprint analysis for Kamps’ owned facilities suggested that recycling over 199 million pallets, thereby circumventing the need for new pallet production, prevented over 850,000 metric tons of CO2-e emissions. Additionally, producing nearly 1 million cubic yards of mulch from scrap pallet pieces contributed to an offset of approximately 3,000 metric tons of CO2-e emissions.
A carbon handprint focuses on the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions achieved through the use of a product or service or through the implementation of certain practices by an organization. In other words, while the carbon footprint is about the emissions an entity is responsible for, the carbon handprint is about the emissions it helps to avoid or reduce.
Green Energy Initiatives
Kamps places a high priority on extending the lifespan of its products while ensuring that disposal processes are eco-friendly. One notable initiative involves the transformation of ground scrap pallets into Green Energy, harnessing renewable sources like Biofuel and Wooden Pellets. For instance, biofuel derived from scrap pallets powers co-generation plants that, in turn, provide energy to municipalities and schools. A particular co-generation plant in Michigan produced over 25,000 MWh of energy in 2022 using Kamps’ biofuel. In addition, the company produced over 60,000 tons of wooden pellets from scrap pallets and wood waste, offering a sustainable heating alternative that can heat 24,000 homes for a year.
In conclusion, the 2022 Environmental Sustainability Report from Kamps, Inc. highlights the company’s dedication to environmental responsibility and transparency. The report details the strategic measures Kamps has implemented to reduce its carbon footprint and enhance its positive impact on the sustainability narratives of its customers and the broader communities it serves.