Sustainable art logistics: How EMBELCO manages waste responsibly

A thoughtful approach to waste sorting

At our Brussels facility, we carefully sort and recycle all waste generated by our activities, particularly from our custom crate-making workshop. Partnering with Vanheede, a leader in waste management, we ensure that all materials are treated responsibly.

Our structured sorting process minimizes landfill waste and promotes recycling and upcycling, ensuring that valuable materials get a second life. We carefully separate PMD (plastics, metals, and beverage cartons), EPE (expanded polyethylene foam), wood (panels, planks, and beams), residual waste, LDPE (bubble wrap, transparent films), cardboard, and green waste (compostable materials).

Giving wood a second life: reuse, upcycling, and recycling

Wood is a key material in our logistics chain, primarily for custom crate production. To reduce waste, we apply a hierarchical management system:

• Direct reuse: Crates in good condition are stored for future use, benefiting our clients who store their artworks with us.

• Dismantling & recovery: If crates are partially damaged, we dismantle them and salvage usable components.

• Upcycling: Unusable but recoverable wood is set aside either for our partner specialized in wood upcycling or for people in need, to be used as heating fuel.

• Recycling: Any remaining wood waste is deposited in dedicated containers and transformed into engineered wood products by Vanheede.

Optimizing the use of protective foams

Protective foams such as EPE (expanded polyethylene foam) are essential for securing delicate artworks, but they can generate significant waste. To minimize our environmental footprint, we apply a set of best practices:

• Pre-cut foam strips: Whenever possible, we use pre-cut foam bands instead of full-surface lining to reduce consumption.
• Reusing offcuts: Large offcuts from foam sheets are stored and repurposed for future projects.
• Recycling small pieces: Smaller foam scraps are collected in designated recycling bins to be processed.

Smarter cutting, less waste: Tech-enhanced packaging optimization

Our recent investment in a new Pack&Strat cutting machine, paired with the CutList Optimizer software, marks a major step forward in our eco-responsible approach to packaging production. This powerful combination allows us to create custom cardboard crates with integrated 3D foam linings, tailored precisely to each artwork. The CutList Optimizer software analyzes each crate design and optimizes the cutting layout on large 1500x3000mm cardboard sheets.

The goal? Minimize offcuts and repurpose leftover materials into standardized cardboard packaging formats.

Going beyond waste management: Embelco’s broader CSR commitments

The logistics sector plays a crucial role in shaping a more sustainable art industry. By prioritizing waste reduction, material reuse, and responsible sourcing, EMBELCO is paving the way for a greener approach to fine art handling and storage. Our initiatives include:

• Circular economy practices in office design: Our office floors have been fitted with recovered carpets in collaboration with Composil.
• Hardware reuse: Screws from dismantled crates are systematically recovered and reused, reducing the need for new materials.
• Future R&D initiatives: We continuously explore eco-friendly packaging materials and low-carbon transportation methods to further minimize our impact.

Looking for an eco-conscious logistics partner?

Contact us to learn more about how we can help you reduce your environmental footprint while ensuring the safety of your artworks.