Sustainable logistics: Compliance pressure becomes a competitive advantage
Are you faced with the task of making your logistics more sustainable without compromising on efficiency? As an experienced logistics service provider, FIEGE supports you in setting up circular supply chains – from intelligent returns management and reCommerce solutions to reusable packaging. This allows you to reduce costs and CO₂ emissions and comply with new regulatory requirements, while securing a long-term competitive advantage.
RESPONSIBILITY LEADS TO A COMPETITIVE EDGE
The big shift – why act now?
Logistics is facing a paradigm shift: away from the linear ‘take-make-waste’ model and towards closed cycles. The driving forces behind this are disruptive changes in the market environment – economic, regulatory and social. For logistics and sustainability decision-makers, this means that those who take proactive action now will give their companies a competitive edge.
Economy
Resource scarcity and rising costs are putting pressure on companies. The circular economy offers enormous opportunities: according to the World Economic Forum, the transition to a circular economy could generate 4.5 trillion US dollars in additional economic growth worldwide by 2030. At the same time, rising raw material prices are making recycling and reuse economically attractive.
Society
Customers, investors and partners demand visible sustainability. Two-thirds of Europeans have already switched brands due to packaging concerns; over 75% are willing to pay more for more environmentally friendly packaging. The younger generation pays particular attention to green supply chains. Those who meet these expectations strengthen their reputation and customer loyalty – those who do not risk losing trust.
Regulation
Legislators are significantly increasing requirements. The EU CSRD, for example, requires around 50,000 companies to produce sustainability reports (including Scope 3 emissions from the supply chain). New rules such as the EU Ecodesign Regulation (ESPR, in force since 2024) stipulate durable, repairable products and digital product passports. And the German Packaging Act tightens recycling quotas and reusable obligations. One thing is clear: companies must act now to avoid fines and competitive disadvantages.
What if sustainability compliance became your competitive advantage instead of a cost driver? Let's find out together.
Industry focus: Circular logistics in your industry
Whether fashion or pharmaceuticals – circular economy in logistics creates added value in every industry. Five examples from key industries:
Fashion, lifestyle & e-Commerce
In online fashion retail, return rates can be as high as 50% – efficient returns management and resale (recommerce) are therefore critical to business. One leading fashion retailer, for example, has managed to resell 97% of all returned items after inspection. Second-hand fashion is also booming (global market ≈ US$256 billion in 2025); with circular models such as second-hand shops and clothing leasing, you can tap into new revenue streams and significantly reduce textile waste.
FMCG (food & consumer goods)
Sustainable packaging is becoming a must. Many consumer goods manufacturers have set themselves the goal of making 100% of their packaging recyclable, reusable or compostable by 2025. Circular logistics supports this, for example, through reusable container pools, packaging return systems and recycling logistics. The result: less packaging waste, cost savings on materials and more satisfied customers who reward your efforts.
Electronics
Electronic waste is the fastest growing waste stream – yet only 17.4% of it is currently recycled worldwide. Manufacturers and retailers can counteract this with take-back programmes (keyword: WEEE Directive). For example, with FIEGE's help, an electronics supplier has set up a refurbishment centre where returned devices are tested, repaired and resold as refurbished products. This extends product life cycles, recovers valuable raw materials and drastically reduces e-waste and disposal costs.
Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals
The healthcare sector generates enormous amounts of waste – over 5 million tonnes of medical waste per year worldwide. Hospitals and pharmaceutical companies are therefore increasingly focusing on reuse. Example: Many medical products declared as ‘disposable’ (e.g. certain surgical instruments) are now professionally reprocessed and reused. Packaging (e.g. cool boxes for medicines) can also be recycled. FIEGE's circular logistics ensure that such sensitive return processes are carried out safely and in compliance with regulations – for less waste, lower costs and high compliance in the healthcare sector.
From Waste to Value: Read stories from companies for whom we are making logistics sustainable.
FIEGE solutions for circular logistics
FIEGE supports you with specific services and infrastructure to set up your supply chain on a circular basis. Our modular services mesh together like gears – you simply choose what you need. Overview of key FIEGE services:
Returns management & refurbishment
Fast processing of returns is key to minimising value loss. FIEGE handles the entire returns process – from goods inspection and repair/refurbishment to restocking. Thanks to system-supported processes, returns are ready for resale in record time. The advantage: higher resale rates, lower write-offs and a better customer experience thanks to faster refunds.
ReCommerce & Secondary Market Integration
Give your products a second life! FIEGE helps you to profitably market returned or used goods via secondary channels – whether in your own B-goods shop, via online marketplaces or donation programmes. We take care of sorting, processing, quality assurance and shipping to new buyers. This allows you to generate additional revenue while reducing the destruction of returns.
Reusable logistics & packaging cycles
No more single-use packaging! FIEGE offers you reusable shipping solutions – including distribution, collection, cleaning and restocking of containers. Together with the Schoeller Group, we have developed the Multiloop system for e-commerce: robust reusable boxes made from recyclable plastic. A single Multiloop box replaces an average of 30 disposable cartons and saves up to 86% CO₂. At the end of its life cycle, the material is recycled into new boxes. This allows you to drastically reduce your packaging waste and lower costs in the long term.
Recycling and waste management
Anything that cannot be reused is returned to the raw materials cycle. Our expert waste management department, WasteControl (WaCo), is part of our Ökologistik® offering. FIEGE WasteControl – certified since 2005 and audited annually by DEKRA – takes care of the analysis, sorting, processing and marketing of your recyclable materials – from shipping cartons and plastic films to discarded products. The goal: not just to dispose of waste, but to return it as valuable raw materials and strengthen the recycling cycle.
Which of these solutions offers your company the greatest added value?
Let's find out together.
New regulations on the horizon – are you prepared?
In the coming years, far-reaching regulations will come into force that make sustainability and circular economy mandatory. A brief overview of what companies can expect:
The EU's Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive drastically expands the obligation to report on sustainability. Starting in the 2024 financial year, large companies (including many medium-sized companies) will have to report in detail on environmental and social indicators – including Scope 3 emissions along the supply chain (which includes logistics). In practical terms, this means that without reliable data on CO₂, recycling rates, etc., there is a risk of auditing problems. FIEGE supports you here by collecting and providing relevant key figures for your logistics (see reporting service above).
The new EU Ecodesign Regulation (Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation) came into force in 2024 and will be implemented gradually until 2030. It requires products to be more durable, repairable and recyclable. At its heart is the Digital Product Passport (DPP): certain products (e.g. textiles, electronics, batteries) must in future carry a digital data set containing all information on materials, repair and disposal. For manufacturers and retailers, this means full transparency throughout the product life cycle – and take-back/recycling structures to generate the necessary data. FIEGE can serve as an operational partner here, for example by managing take-back processes for old appliances or old clothes and recording the relevant data points.
The German Packaging Act already stipulates that manufacturers must contribute to the disposal costs of their packaging (keyword: licensing). In future, the regulation will go even further: from 2025, higher recycling rates will apply to sales packaging, many retailers will have to offer reusable options (e.g. for shipping or takeaway) and there will be sales bans for non-compliant packaging. The principle of extended producer responsibility (EPR) will be expanded – companies will have to take care of the return and recycling of their packaging. FIEGE's reusable and recycling solutions help you to meet these obligations and make your packaging management future-proof.
