National British supermarket chain ASDA Stores, Limited, has renewed its long-term agreement with XPO Logistics for reverse logistics operations.

Under the new contract, XPO will continue to manage nine ASDA service centers for the Leeds-based retailer. XPO washes millions of units of returnable transit equipment each year for ASDA and repairs them when necessary.

XPO has worked with ASDA to introduce a wide range of innovations in the service centers, including a zero waste to landfill solution that helps ASDA meet its recycling goals for more than 600 stores in the UK. Many of the solutions have been custom-developed through this relationship, reducing costs along the supply chain by bringing more logistics functions in-house. Proprietary XPO technology developed with ASDA tracks the assets and manages hundreds of supplier accounts.

“We’re proud of our longstanding relationship with ASDA and the numerous sustainability initiatives we have put in place at the service centers – for example, rainwater harvesting and intelligent lighting,” said Gavin Williams, business unit director–consumer and reverse logistics for XPO Logistics. “ASDA has recognized our commitment to continuous improvement by honoring our team with the ASDA Supply Chain Collaboration award for the past two years.”

Additional innovations developed through this collaboration include an improved design for crate wash machines that reduces downtime and increases wash speed by 20 percent; an automated baler design that increases efficiency and reduces power consumption by 30 percent; and the automation of food waste processing to improve productivity.

“The renewal of our contract with XPO Logistics reflects our determination to be environmentally sustainable across our entire business,” said Jon Parry, logistics vice president for ASDA. “The strong working relationship between ASDA and XPO has enabled us to deploy significant waste innovations and achieve cost efficiencies.”

XPO’s corporate headquarters is in Greenwich, Connecticut, and its European headquarters is in Lyon, France.