Reverse logistics in Toulouse

The Toulouse Metropolitan Region is one of six main logistics areas in France. Logistics is essential to the region, generating jobs and economic activity by serving residents and businesses. However, it also has a major impact on the area in terms of congestion, noise, and greenhouse gas emissions. A solution called COOP MIL is being developed to provide inverse logistics solutions, valorise waste, optimise last-mile delivery, improve waste truck logistics, and find adaptable solutions to the challenge of rubbish collection.

In response, Cédrat is creating a cooperative supply chain involving local agri-food actors from the field to the plate to the waste facility : farmers, refillable container solutions, cargo-bike carriers, and waste managers. The solution’s primary function will be to facilitate and organise trade and logistics between the various members. The cooperative supply chain will work as follows:

1. Local food suppliers will offer their products on the COOP MIL digital marketplace. They will deliver orders in reusable packaging to the COOP MIL warehouse and return with empty, clean packaging.

2. The COOP MIL teams will deliver food to shops and restaurants belonging to the cooperative. The last-mile delivery will be done with cargo-bikes.

3. Waste managers will then collect biowaste, reusable bottles and crates in a single collection round.

4. Reusable containers will be stored at the COOP MIL warehouse to be distributed to processing points (cleaning stations and compost sites).

During the project pilot, Cédrat will:

• engage 12 local farmers located less than 90 km from central Toulouse and seven food businesses located within 10 km;

• measure commercial restaurant waste production and flows;

• raise awareness among restaurateurs of waste reduction and recycling best practices;

• reduce CO2 emissions thanks to cargo-bike logistics for last-mile deliveries;

• reduce waste by using reusable crates and composting processes.