New Study Confirms IFCO Reusable Plastic Containers are the Sustainable Choice for Fresh Produce Packaging
17 March 2017 - 1:00AM
Business Wire
Peer-Reviewed Report Shows RPCs Outperform Corrugated Boxes in
Eight Key Environmental Indicators
IFCO today released the results of its updated report,
Comparative Life Cycle Assessment of Reusable Plastic Container and
Display- and Non-Display-Ready Corrugated Containers Used for Fresh
Produce Applications (LCA), showing IFCO Reusable Plastic
Containers (RPCs) deliver greater environmental savings for
delivering fresh produce in North America than the use of
single-use corrugated fiber containers.
“IFCO has a strong commitment to the environment, and IFCO RPCs
have developed a well-deserved reputation as a sustainable option
for fresh produce packaging,” said Daniel Walsh, president, IFCO
North America. “This study shows that RPCs – across-the-board – are
the most sustainable choice for fresh food packaging compared to
corrugated boxes.”
The LCA reviewed the environmental impact of RPCs and
Display-Ready Corrugated Fiber Containers (DRCs) and
Non-Display-Ready Corrugated Fiber Containers (NDCs) for packaging
apples, bell peppers, carrots, grapes, iceberg lettuce, onions,
oranges, peaches/nectarines, tomatoes and strawberries.
The study concludes, “In all eight examined environmental
indicators (energy demand, global warming potential, ozone
depletion potential, water consumption, acidification,
eutrophication, photochemical smog, solid waste generation), the
IFCO RPCs, as defined in this analysis, provide greater
environmental savings for delivering produce in North America than
does the use of fiber corrugated containers for these
commodities.”
The 2017 LCA shows, compared to display-ready corrugated boxes,
RPCs:
- Produce 31% less global warming
potential (carbon dioxide equivalents)
- Produce 86% less solid waste
- Consume 80% less water
- Require 64% less energy
- Contribute significantly less
environmental pollution (85% lower eutrophication, 78% lower ozone
depletion, 66% lower acidification, and 42% less photochemical
smog)
The LCA released today is an update to the IFCO/Franklin
Associates LCA released in April 2016. Key modeling data –
including the recycled content for corrugated boxes used for fresh
produce packaging – were evaluated and updated as appropriate to
ensure the 2017 LCA was based on current and up-to-date
information.
The LCA was conducted by Franklin Associates (Franklin), a
nationally-recognized life cycle assessment and solid waste
management consulting firm, in accordance with ISO standards 14040
and 14044. Franklin looked at the sustainable attributes of RPCs,
display-ready corrugated fiber containers (DRCs) and
non-display-ready corrugated fiber containers (NDCs) used to
package, transport and display fresh produce. Results were
peer-reviewed by packaging and LCA experts, including experts from
the School of Packaging at Michigan State University, the Center
for Sustainable Systems School of Natural Resources and Environment
at the University of Michigan, and an LCA consultant who is a
former U.S. EPA LCA manager and current editor-in-chief of the
International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment.
“IFCO’s share and reuse business model is an important part of
the drive toward a Circular Economy that results in zero emissions
and zero waste. We will continue to advance the sustainability of
our products and operations in the months and years ahead so that
we can preserve the world’s natural resources for future
generations,” concluded Mr. Walsh.
Additional information
IFCO is the leading global provider of reusable packaging
solutions for fresh foods, serving customers in 50+ countries. IFCO
operates a pool of over 270 million Reusable Plastic Containers
(RPCs) globally, which are used for over 1.4 billion shipments of
fresh fruits and vegetables, meat, poultry, seafood, eggs, bread,
and other items from suppliers to grocery retailers every year.
IFCO RPCs ensure a better fresh food supply chain by protecting
freshness and quality and lowering costs, food waste and
environmental impact compared to single-use packaging. IFCO is a
Brambles Company. For more information visit www.ifco.com.
Brambles Limited (ASX:BXB) is a supply-chain logistics
company operating primarily through the CHEP and IFCO brands.
Brambles enhances performance for customers by helping them
transport goods through their supply chains more efficiently,
sustainably and safely. The Group's primary activity is the
provision of reusable unit-load equipment such as pallets, crates
and containers for shared use by multiple participants throughout
the supply chain, under a model known as "pooling". Brambles
primarily serves customers in the fast-moving consumer goods (e.g.
dry food, grocery, and health and personal care), fresh produce,
beverage, retail and general manufacturing industries, counting
many of the world's best-known brands among its customers. The
Group also operates specialist container logistics businesses
serving the automotive, aerospace and oil and gas sectors. Brambles
has its headquarters in Sydney, Australia, but operates in more
than 60 countries, with its largest operations in North America and
Western Europe. Brambles employs more than 14,500 people and owns
more than 550 million pallets, crates and containers through a
network of approximately 850 service centres. For further
information, please visit www.brambles.com
Franklin Associates, A Division of ERG has provided Life
Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Solid Waste Management consulting
services since it was founded in 1974 by William E. Franklin and
Marjorie A. Franklin. We have provided these services to clients in
the public and private sectors ever since. Franklin Associates'
professional staff is made up of engineers and physical scientists.
In 2003, we became Franklin Associates, A Division of
ERG (Eastern Research Group). This association provided a
great deal of synergy between the two firms, which had worked
together for many years. We take pride in providing objective, well
documented results and advice to our clients. The many clients who
have used our services repeatedly over the years give testimony to
our integrity.
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DSM Strategic CommunicationsSean
McBride202-309-3050smcbride@dsmstrategic.comorHillary FemalVP -
Global Marketing+1 813-463-4124Hillary.Femal@ifco.com
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