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Planting the Future with Insituform and Green Leaves Logistics

Case Study

From Routes to Roots:

Planting the Future with Insituform and Green Leaves Logistics

Marvin-and-Insituform
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Green Leaves Logistics, in collaboration with its client Insituform, has set a benchmark in integrating advanced logistics solutions with robust environmental leadership. Over the past year, their partnership has not only addressed day-to-day global logistics requirements, with some interesting challenges, but also made substantial contributions to environmental sustainability.

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Marvin-and-Insituform

Project Scopes:

Throughout our ongoing partnership with Insituform, we have managed a diverse range of logistics services encompassing air, road, and ocean freight.

  • We’ve undertaken Road Freight shipments into Europe, which included handling all local customs clearance processes. Challenges such as finding last-minute temporary storage solutions when the delivery sites were unable to receive goods have also been successfully navigated.
  • We facilitated Airfreight transport of outsized consignments to Asia and coordinated comprehensive shipment logistics to Insituform’s facilities in North America. This often involved managing customs clearance and arranging delivery directly to door.
  • And we have executed Seafreight projects right around the globe. These operations have included sourcing specialist equipment to facilitate container deliveries directly to the ground, especially useful when the importer’s site lacked a loading bay. Additionally, we have managed imports from North America, ensuring smooth coordination of door-to-door transportation and customs documentation.

For each consignment, we combine our expert logistical support with unparalleled customer service standards.

Environmental Contributions:

Insituform’s commitment to sustainability is exemplified by its active participation and support for Green Leaves Logistics’ environmental programs. These programs focus on addressing any unavoidable carbon emissions associated with international transport, through two main areas: carbon avoidance projects and tree planting initiatives, which are central to reducing the environmental impact of their logistical operations.

“We’re always researching lower-impact manufacturing techniques and deploying them where possible, and our partnership with Green Leaves has ensured that this ethos continues when it comes to transporting our products to our customers, by removing more CO2 than each shipment emits. We look forward to continuing our long-standing partnership with Green Leaves for years to come, and seeing how they continue to develop and innovate their practices for maximum effect.”

Mark Bates, Managing Director of Insituform

Carbon Avoidance Projects

Last reporting year, Insituform avoided 123,000kg of CO2E.

  • 5 MW Wind Power Project in India:
    • This project generates electricity using wind energy, thereby reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
    • It contributes to local community development and promotes sustainable energy solutions, reflecting Insituform’s commitment to supporting renewable energy projects.
  • CUIDEMOS Project in Mexico:
    • Aimed at promoting intelligent use of energy and expanding renewable energy adoption.
    • This project helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions across various sectors, aligning with Insituform’s vision for a sustainable industrial future.

Impact:

These projects have not only offset the carbon footprint caused by logistical operations but have also aligned with global efforts to combat the climate crisis.


Tree Planting Initiatives

Green Leaves Logistics and Insituform have contributed to extensive tree planting efforts, which play a vital role in carbon sequestration and ecological restoration. Last year, Insituform funded the planting of 2,075 trees.

Which trees were planted by region:

    1. Ethiopia: 875 trees
    • Albizia gummifera: 100 trees
    • Coffee arabica: 675 trees
    • Ficus vasta: 100 trees
    1. Kenya: 650 trees
    • Avicennia marina: 100 trees
    • Croton megalocarpus: 100 trees
    • Ficus thonningii: 100 trees
    • Papaya: 100 trees
    • Rhizophora mucronata: 75 trees
    • Sesbania sesbans: 175 trees
      1. Madagascar: 250 trees
      • Bruguiera gymnoohiza: 150 trees
      • Rhizophora mucronata: 100 trees
      1. Tanzania: 200 trees
      • Cajanus cajan (pigeon pea): 100 trees
      • Leucaena leucocephala: 100 trees
      1. Uganda: 100 trees
      • Moringa olifera: 100 trees

        Impact:

        These initiatives not only help mitigate climate change by absorbing CO2 but also promote biodiversity and provide sustainable development opportunities for local communities.


        Insituform also benefits from My GL, our online portal, which provides rapid access to crucial milestones for each shipment, along with all relevant documentation, ensuring transparency and efficiency in our logistics management.

        The partnership between Green Leaves Logistics and Insituform is a prime example of how businesses can effectively combine logistics management with a strong commitment to sustainability. Through strategic carbon avoidance and reforestation initiatives, their joint efforts showcase both companies’  dedication to sustainable practices, setting a standard for environmental responsibility in the logistics industry.

        “I am immensely proud to reflect on the remarkable journey of our partnership with Insituform over the past few years. Not only have we experienced significant growth and success in seamlessly exporting and importing Insituform products around the globe, but our shared commitment to safeguarding our planet continues to flourish. I am excited to witness the ongoing growth of our partnership and the ever-widening scope of our collective positive impact in the years ahead.”

        Marvin Elson, co-founder of Green Leaves Logistics

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        Meeting Jeremy Hunt

        Talking green with Chancellor Jeremy Hunt

        • Who

          HM Treasury
        • Where

          The NEC Birmingham

        The Chamber News

        In Autumn 2023, the West Midlands had the honour of hosting the Chancellor, who engaged with dynamic SMEs driving the UK’s vision to lead in Green Industries.

        We were one of nine local businesses, spanning solar energy, EV charging, and energy storage, invited to meet with the Chancellor to share insights on our challenges and aspirations.

        Key takeaways included:

        •  The need for accessible funding to fuel green growth.
        • Raising awareness among industries to meet sustainability requirements. 
        • Bridging the knowledge gap in the renewable energy sector.
        • The importance of cross-border investments, often driven by European backers.

        We’re proud to have showcased our carbon avoidance scheme.  It’s been an exciting and useful experience on many levels, and one that gives optimism for the future of sustainable logistics.

        “I received great feedback from the other representatives regarding measuring and our carbon avoidance scheme, with some potential opportunities to collaborate where logistics is part of their business.

        In addition, this will help us to further understand how Green Leaves may be able to offer logistics solutions with a further reduced carbon footprint in the future.”

        Karen French, Green Leaves Logistics

        the-chancellor-visits-birmingham_roundtable with Green Leaves Logistics
        Jeremy Hunt birmingham_roundtable with Green Leaves Logistics

        Where next?

        More on how we care about the environment

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        Container love

        Container Love

        • Who

          Mukwashi Trust School
        • Where

          Lusaka, Zambia
        As a global logistics partner, we clearly use containers day in, day out. Usually, the emphasis is on ‘what’s going to be transported, which size is right for our clients, how can we minimise storage / associated fees, what’s the best route of transport to be efficient…’ But it turns out, there is more to a container than you may expect!
        When we were approached to see if we could help securing a decommissioned shipping container for a school in Lusaka, Zambia, it was a no-brainer… Their plans to transform it into a business lab where secondary learners can put their business skills into practice resonated with our team and we are so pleased to now see it in action!

        “Second-hand shipping containers offer both security and durability, but they are like gold-dust in landlocked countries. We’ve been looking for one for years; and last December, Marvin, one of supporters in the UK, finally located one on a hillside in Zimbabwe and his logistics company transported it to Mukwashi.”

        Mukwashi Trust School

        shipping container delivered to Mukwashi

        girls-painting-container

        The business lab is open

        Progress in progress

        Since then, staff and learners have been sanding, rust-proofing, painting and converting it into a small ‘community shop’. It will be run and managed by secondary learners as part of their business studies, commerce & accounts lessons. It’s a chance for them to experiment, make mistakes and gain ‘hands-on’ skills and experience in developing a small business.

        Read more about the school’s achievements in their recent annual report, which also details our involvement.

        “I believe all children should be taught the importance of money management and given the earliest opportunity to gain valuable business skills and practical experience in a fun and creative environment. The Mukwashi School Business Lab, now makes this possible for its learners. It was our privilege to support the dedicated staff behind the project and we are excited to follow the progress of the business lab, as it nurtures and develops our sustainable business leaders of the future.”

        Marvin Elson

        Where next?

        More on how we care about the environment

        Continue reading

        Meet the founders

        • Marvin-Elson-founder-Green-Leaves-Logistics

          Marvin Elson

          Managing Partner

          Marvin Elson is the visionary co-Founder and managing Partner at Green Leaves Logistics.

          He has devoted his career of over 25 years, to mastering the intricacies of the logistics industry and combining expert shipping knowledge with solutions to counter the environmental impact those shipments have. 

          With this strong focus on sustainability and innovation, Marvin is shaping the company’s mission to transform the logistics industry by offering eco-friendly and efficient supply chain solutions.

        • Karen-French-Founder-Green-Leaves-logistics

          Karen French

          Operations Director

          Karen French co-founded Green Leaves Logistics with two strong beliefs: Customers shouldn’t do the heavy lifting and shipping solutions shouldn’t come at the expense of our environment.

          These fundamental principles drive Karen’s leadership of the business in her role as Operations Director. She brings a wealth of experience in logistics across varied sectors including retail, automotive and project cargo and shines in leading the operations team, offering clients sustainability-focused and efficient logistics solutions that make a real difference in the industry.

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        Specialist equipment

        Special equipment

        General purpose containers

        • Flat rack container

          Flat rack container

          Specifically designed to cope with heavy loads and oversized cargo that needs loading from the top or sides. A flat rack container is a suitable choice for shipping out-of-gauge cargo such as heavy machinery, turbines, vehicles and pipes.

          • 40ft Flat Rack shipping containers
          • collapsible sides
          • non-collapsible sides

            Specifications

          • Open top container

            Open top container

            An open top container does not have a solid roof. This enables large or heavy goods to be loaded from the top. The roof can be covered with a tarpaulin cover, if the loaded cargo permits it. Open top containers typically have end doors, like closed containers, for easy loading and unloading.

            • 20ft and 40ft Open Top shipping containers
            • Optional tarpaulin cover

            Specifications

          • Reefer Container

            Reefer container

            Temperature-sensitive products are shipped in refrigerated (or reefer) containers. Some common commodities loaded into reefer containers include fruit, vegetables, dairy products and meat. The refrigeration unit is connected to the electrical power supply on board the ship.

            • 20ft, 40ft and 45ft Refrigerated shipping containers
            • Active and non-active reefers

            Specifications

          Still not sure?

          Contact us

          Don’t worry! Get in touch and we’ll advise you which container is the right one for you. 

          Contact us

          Karen French advice

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          Modern Slavery

          Introduction

          Our company is committed to preventing slavery and human trafficking in our operations and supply chain in compliance with the UK’s Modern Slavery Act 2015.

          Green Leaves Logistics LTD (our company) is committed to preventing slavery and human trafficking in our operations and supply chain, in accordance with the UK’s Modern Slavery Act 2015. We have a zero-tolerance approach towards any form of slavery and human trafficking, and we are committed to acting ethically and with integrity in all our business dealings and relationships.

          Organisational Structure

          Green Leaves Logistics LTD is a global logistics company that operates in various sectors, including transportation, warehousing, and distribution. Our head office is based in the United Kingdom, and we have operations and supply chain partners in several countries worldwide.

          Policies in Place

          We have implemented several policies to ensure that slavery and human trafficking are not taking place in our operations and supply chain. These include a Recruitment and Selection Policy that ensures all employees are recruited ethically and in compliance with the UK’s Modern Slavery Act 2015, and a Supplier Code of Conduct that requires all our suppliers to adhere to the same high standards as we do.

          Due Diligence

          We conduct regular due diligence on all our suppliers to ensure compliance with our policies and the UK’s Modern Slavery Act 2015. We also have a robust system in place to handle any concerns or complaints related to slavery and human trafficking.

          Risk and Compliance

          We recognize that slavery and human trafficking can occur at any stage of our operations and supply chain, and we have implemented several measures to mitigate these risks. The prevention, detection and reporting of modern slavery in any part of our business or supply chains is the responsibility of all those working for us or under our control. You are required to avoid any activity that might lead to, or suggest, a breach of this policy. You must notify your line manager OR a company Director as soon as possible if you believe or suspect that a conflict with this policy has occurred or may occur in the future.

          You are encouraged to raise concerns about any issue or suspicion of modern slavery in any parts of our business or supply chains of any supplier tier at the earliest possible stage. If you believe or suspect a breach of this policy has occurred or that it may occur, you must notify your line manager or company Director.

          Effectiveness

          We regularly review our policies and procedures to ensure that they are effective in preventing slavery and human trafficking. We also conduct internal audits to ensure compliance with the UK’s Modern Slavery Act 2015 and our own policies. We are committed to continuously improving our practices to ensure that slavery and human trafficking do not take place in any part of our operations or supply chain.

          Company Director
          Marvin Elson

          Reefer container

          Dimensions

          Reefer containers

          Please note that the dimensions and capacity of reefer containers may differ depending on the manufacturer and age of the container as well as the container owner. However, the below measurements are representative for most currently used reefer containers.

          20ft Standard Reefer

          Weight and capacity

          • Tare weight

            2,990 kg / 6,591 lbs
          • Gross weight

            30,480 kg / 67,196 lbs
          • Maximum Payload Weight

            27,490 kg / 60,600 lbs
          • Cubic Capacity

            27 m3 / 953 cu ft

          Internal Dimensions

          • Length

            Internal

            5,451 mm / 17′ 10 9/16″
          • Width

            Internal

            2,290 mm / 7′ 6 1/8″
          • Height (to load line)

            Internal

            2,167 mm / 2,167

          Door Opening Dimensions

          • Width

            Internal

            2,290 mm / 7′ 6 1/8″
          • Height (to load line)

            2,212 mm / 7′ 3 1/16″

          40ft Standard Reefer

          Weight and capacity

          • Tare weight

            4,520 kg / 9,965 lbs
          • Gross weight

            34,000 kg / 74,957 lbs
          • Maximum Payload Weight

            29,480 kg / 64,992 lbs
          • Cubic Capacity

            67.5 m3 / 2,384 cu ft

          Internal Dimensions

          • Length

            Internal

            11,580 mm / 37′ 11 7/8″
          • Width

            Internal

            2,275 mm / 7′ 11 1/6″
          • Height (to load line)

            Internal

            2,415 mm / 7′ 10 3/16″

          Door Opening Dimensions

          • Width

            Internal

            2,276 / 7′ 5 9/16″
          • Height (to load line)

            2,471 mm / 8′ 1 1/14″

          Back to all special equipment specifications

          Still not sure?

          Contact us

          Don’t worry! Get in touch and we’ll advise you which container is the right one for you. 

          Contact us

          Karen French advice

          Continue reading

          Platform container

          Dimensions

          Platform containers

          Please note that the dimensions and capacity of platform containers may differ depending on the manufacturer and age of the container as well as the container owner. However, the below measurements are representative for most currently used platform containers.

          • 20′ platform container

          • 40′ platform container

          Back to all specialist equipment specifications

          Still not sure?

          Contact us

          Don’t worry! Get in touch and we’ll advise you which container is the right one for you. 

          Contact us

          Karen French advice

          Continue reading

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