Sustainability

Sustainability in every aspect

At Groothandel Claessens, sustainability doesn’t start with a strategy or a plan, but right on the shop floor. In the early morning, when the first trucks depart and the sun rises over the rooftops, you can see it immediately. This is a place where work is done with respect for what surrounds us.

As a family business, we look beyond today. We are not only growing in volume, but also in responsibility. Because everything starts with the earth, and that is exactly why we want to take care of it. That mindset is embedded in every delivery, every decision, and every collaboration.

Man werkt in een magazijn met stapels groene kratten en een leeg steekwagentje naast hem.
culture

The power of people

That vision lives every day in the people behind Claessens. From warehouse to transport, and from purchasing to planning, everyone contributes to quality and reliability. Together, we ensure smooth operations and a consistent service customers can rely on, day after day.

We invest deliberately in our employees, building a sustainable future together. Because in the end, it is people who make the difference.

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Mensen in een magazijn werken met karren en gestapelde dozen met producten.

How we make a difference

Energy from above

Sustainable work means making smart choices. One of them is quite literally above our heads. Our rooftops are covered with solar panels that supply a large part of our energy. From cold storage rooms to charging stations: we increasingly run on our own electricity.

We also use that energy to move forward. Electric vehicles ensure efficient deliveries in the city, without emissions or noise. This keeps everything running as our customers expect, with a smaller impact.

Zonnepanelen op het dak met een zonsondergang en deels bewolkte lucht.

Smart handling of packaging and materials

Sometimes sustainability comes down to simple questions. Do we really need this?

At Claessens, we critically assess our use of packaging. Where possible, we choose reusable crates instead of film. What we do use is carefully sorted and recycled.

Behind the scenes, we also make conscious choices. Materials such as wood, cardboard, and plastic each follow their own recycling path and are processed again. By working smarter and improving processes, we manage to reduce consumption and maximize reuse. Small adjustments together make a big difference.

Een persoon met handschoenen plaatst karton in een grote machine voor verwerking.

Nothing goes to waste

Not every product that comes in finds its way to the customer immediately. But we do not let waste happen.

What is not sold is given a new purpose through collaborations with local organizations. This way, valuable products still reach those who need them.

In doing so, we not only care for the environment, but also for the people around us.

Vrouw die in een keuken achter een grote stoofpot staat en voorzichtig roert, omgeven door stoom.
Persoon met gele veiligheidsjas loopt tussen pallets met aardbeienkartons in magazijn.

Close when possible, further when necessary

We strongly believe in local products. Working with nearby growers means fresher products, less transport, and strong relationships with our partners.

But not everything grows locally or is always available. That’s why we consciously choose reliable partners outside our region when needed. In this way, we always make the right choice: local when possible, quality always.

Keep growing, every day again

Sustainability is not a destination. It is a process that keeps evolving. We continue to invest in energy, logistics, and packaging. We keep searching for better solutions and new collaborations. Step by step, we make our operations more efficient and more sustainable.

At Groothandel Claessens, sustainability is not a project that is ever finished. It is a way of working and a promise for the future.

Groen bord aan zwarte muur met tekst 'Hier sorteren wij, verboden parkeren, regelmatige vuilophaling'.