DHL Supply Chain UK has announced that it has partnered with train company Avanti West Coast to introduce new IoT temperature monitoring devices in an effort to reduce the amount of food going to waste on the latter’s onboard food service.
The use of this technology, DHL claims, is a first for the UK rail industry. It is hoped that by using these devices and taking advantage of the IoT, temperatures can be better monitored and regulated to ‘ensure food safety and enable DHL and Avanti West Coast to save a considerable amount of food each week from going to waste’.
The devices can be mounted to individual trolleys, constantly monitoring its condition. Real-time temperature readings can then be accessed by members of staff simply by scanning a QR code. Based on these readings, operators can make more informed decisions on whether or not food should be disposed of.
After what was deemed a ‘successful’ trial, the smart monitors are now are being rolled out across DHL’s entire Avanti West Coast network. The data captured by the IoT monitors is stored and ‘can be easily accessed to evaluate patterns and performance, helping to continue improving the service’.
Philippa Creswell, executive director of onboard at Avanti West Coast, said: “We’re committed to reducing our impact on the environment and tackling our food waste is just one area that will help achieve this.
“Partnering with DHL on this innovative temperature monitoring device is the latest initiative to make our catering operations more sustainable – enabling us to make more informed decisions about items that can be kept or wasted.
“The technology has transformed the way we work, and we’re excited to see how it will support safety, while reducing waste across the West Coast.”
Dan Peacock, managing director at DHL Supply Chain added: “The significant food waste savings achieved through the introduction of smart IoT devices into our Avanti West Coast operation shows the value of innovation and digital solutions. Nurturing and deploying new technology is part of our commitment to both our customers and the environment. I’m incredibly proud of the team for seeing the opportunity for positive change and making it happen.”
This announcement comes aptly during Food Waste Action Week [18-24 March 2024], Love Food Hate Waste’s ‘flagship annual campaign which brings businesses, government organisations and global partners together to support citizens to develop the tools they need to cut food waste in their homes’.
For more on cold chain logistics, look out for a feature on maintaining temperatures within pharmaceutical supply chains in the April issue of Logistics Manager!
