12 Aug 24
Improve Your Fleet's Sustainability: How Legend Saved Half a Billion Grocery Bags In 3 Years
Our innovative practices have been highly impactful. Here are some statistics about our last 3 years alone
This data only tracks the impact we’ve had by reusing and ethically sourcing, the true impact of providing a long-lasting rigid floor is even greater as it lowers your waste contribution.
HOW ON EARTH DID LEGEND ACHIEVE THESE NUMBERS?
At Legend, we’re always looking for ways to reduce our ecological footprint and do our part for the environment. Sustainability isn’t just a buzzword, it’s a core principle that drives every aspect of our production process.
FLOORS ARE MADE FROM 75% RECYCLED MATERIALS
In line with our commitment to eco-friendly practices, Legend prioritizes the creation of high-quality sustainable composite rigid flooring as a key aspect of our green initiatives.
We understand the critical importance of reducing our environmental impact, which is why 75% of each of our products is made from recycled materials.
Composite recycling starts with collecting used products from homes, businesses, and recycling centers, followed by sorting and cleaning to remove impurities. The clean material is then shredded into small pieces or flakes. These flakes are melted down and formed into pellets or granules. These recycled pellets are dyed black for a sleek and professional finish on the rigid floor.
Throughout the process, the recycled material is checked for quality to ensure it meets the highest standards. Recycling composite materials helps reduce waste and the need for new raw materials
By repurposing materials that would otherwise contribute to waste, we’re not only reducing our carbon footprint but also setting a new standard in the van upfitting industry.
WE COLLECT & RE-USE ALL OF OUR EXCESS MATERIALS
Any cut-offs or discarded byproducts from our manufacturing process are carefully collected, recycled, and saved for future use.
This closed-loop system minimizes waste and maximizes resource efficiency, reinforcing our dedication to sustainability at every stage of production. By recycling and reusing these materials, we’re able to further reduce our environmental impact while maintaining the high quality and durability that our customers expect.
This same system is also used for the Automat-Bar rubber mats.
LEGEND FLOORS LAST FOREVER
An often-overlooked aspect of sustainable practices is longevity, as mentioned previously regarding stock linings.
Legend’s products are designed for long-lasting performance, meaning fewer replacements, less waste, and a more sustainable solution overall.
By choosing Legend, you’re not only investing in a product that will stand the test of time, but you’re also contributing to a reduction in the environmental burden caused by the constant turnover of less durable materials.
This durability translates to long-term savings for your fleet, both financially and environmentally, making Legend the smarter, more sustainable choice.
DON’T JUST TAKE OUR WORD FOR IT
HEAR FROM OUR FLEETS
Legend’s dedication to sustainability delivers tangible benefits for fleet operations, turning eco-friendly aspirations into reality. Riverford Organic Farmers, one of the UK’s largest organic food distributors, faced the challenge of minimizing their environmental impact while maintaining efficiency. By opting for Legend’s EVOLVE flooring, Riverford not only enhanced their sustainability credentials—thanks to the 75% recycled content—but also increased their delivery efficiency. The lighter flooring allowed them to carry more products per trip, reducing the number of trips needed and thereby cutting down on emissions. This operational improvement translated into cost savings and a smaller carbon footprint, proving that sustainability can directly boost profitability.
Similarly, Vinci Construction Group sought a solution to align their fleet with their ambitious goal of reducing CO2 emissions by 40%. As they transitioned to a fully electric fleet, they found that Legend’s products, designed with sustainability in mind, provided the ideal balance of lightweight durability and environmental responsibility. By choosing Legend, Vinci significantly reduced their fleet’s weight, leading to lower energy consumption and extended vehicle range—a crucial factor in the construction industry’s shift towards greener practices.
Joining these forward-thinking companies is RSK, the largest independent consultancy in the residential sector. Faced with the challenge of reducing their carbon footprint and extending the life of their heavily-used work vans, RSK found the answer in Legend’s Stabiligrip flooring and Econolite wall linings. These sustainable, recycled solutions not only improved the durability and safety of their vans but also played a crucial role in RSK’s mission to achieve carbon neutrality.
Greenthumb Lawn Care also benefited from Legend’s sustainable approach. Their previous plywood linings were frequently damaged by heavy equipment, leading to unnecessary waste and increased maintenance costs. Legend’s durable, lightweight liners not only withstood the rigors of daily use but also extended the lifespan of their van interiors, dramatically reducing the need for replacements. This shift not only helped Greenthumb meet their environmental goals but also improved their operational efficiency, demonstrating that sustainability can be both practical and cost-effective.
Through these real-world examples, it’s clear that Legend’s products do more than just meet sustainability standards—they help fleets achieve operational excellence while reducing their environmental impact. By choosing Legend, fleet managers are making a proactive choice to lead in both sustainability and efficiency, setting a new standard for the industry.
ARE THERE OTHER ALTERNATIVES FOR YOUR FLEET?
Short answer? Not really.
Sustainability is a foreign word to most in the van upfit industry. Despite the rising popularity of eco-friendly practices among end-users, the industry has been slow to adopt sustainable measures. This gap highlights a critical disconnect between consumer demand and industry offerings.
The typical options are plywood or sticking with Factory OEM linings. Unfortunately, neither of these materials are ideal from a sustainability perspective.
STOCK LININGS NEED FREQUENT REPLACEMENTS
Stock single-layered coroplast sheets, widely installed by Factory OEMs due to its cheapness and versatility, is terrible for the environment.
The primary concern with the thin factory linings is the high waste contribution.
These brittle sheets are not meant to last long and require constant replacement, especially when used in the rough interiors of a work van.
Consequently, a substantial number of discarded stock linings end up in landfills.
This scenario is akin to the impact of single-use plastics compared to long-lasting alternatives. Imagine the environmental impact if the average American switched to 500ml plastic Nestlé bottles for daily hydration rather than sticking with one reusable water bottle.
Furthermore, data from GreenMatch reveals alarming impact of discarding the stock linings.
With a post-consumer recycling rate of only 1% for corrugated plastic, it is alarming to know that 99% of discarded stock linings will end up in landfills, exacerbating the problem and leaving your fleet operations vulnerable to regulations.
With Legend’s long-lasting composite flooring, you significantly reduce this discard rate, which tremendously helps the environment.
PLYWOOD IS NOT SUSTAINABLY SOURCED
Plywood, a common choice for van flooring, is often sourced from non-sustainable forestry practices. Its production involves significant deforestation, leading to habitat loss and increased carbon emissions.
Additionally, the adhesives used in plywood can release harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs), posing health risks to users and further polluting the environment.
The most popular type of plywood, coated birch, is produced by harvesting mature trees, often from countries embroiled in military conflict.
These trees are soaked in harsh chemical solutions to soften them for peeling, then heated and dried using virgin petroleum products. Finally, petroleum-based adhesives bond the layers together.
It's worth noting that the most cost-effective plywood, typically sourced from local and national lumber yards, often comes from regions where proper forestry practices are ignored, leading to land stripping.
Birch forests, often located in countries with lax forestry regulations, are heavily exploited for plywood production.
As a result, these forests are cleared completely, contributing to significant environmental degradation.
IS YOUR FLEET FALLING BEHIND?
Climate change is undeniably a rising concern for both governments and consumers.
For van fleets, the implications are clear: sustainability is no longer a choice; it’s a necessity.
As governments and consumers alike push for more sustainable practices, fleets that fail to adapt risk being left behind. Regulatory pressures are mounting, with many regions introducing stricter emissions standards and offering incentives for greener alternatives. Companies that do not prioritize sustainability may soon face higher operational costs, penalties, and potential loss of business as eco-conscious clients and partners choose greener competitors.
By choosing products made from 75% recycled materials, you’re not only reducing your environmental footprint but also enhancing the efficiency, safety, and longevity of your vehicles. Whether you’re looking to extend your fleet’s range, reduce maintenance costs, or simply align with global sustainability trends, Legend offers the tools to make it happen.
It was because of these initiatives that Legend was awarded Tillsonburg District Chamber of Commerce Environmental Award for exhibiting outstanding commitment to implementing green solutions in manufacturing and production practices.
Share Article
Related news
View all
Legend meets the sustainability goals of RSK, the UK's largest independent consultancy in the construction sector
RSK is the largest independent consultancy in the residential sector in the UK and have recently made the switch to Legend interior linings.
Greenthumb Lawn Care takes care of their van fleet's wear and tear by bringing on Legend floors
One of the largest work van fleets in the United Kingdom, Greenthumb Lawn Care had a need to eliminate the damage caused to their van floors by the regular, daily work of their industry.
The Vinci Group, one of the largest construction firms in the world, enlists Legend to upfit their global van fleet
A world leader in concessions, energy, and construction, the Vinci Group partners with Legend to upfit their work van fleet.
Why No Ply
The 5 critical things about cargo van plywood floors no one will tell you.