Returnable Packaging Solves Key Fresh Produce Supply Chain Challenges

Fresh produce is at the heart of healthy eating. And consumers are increasingly exigent when it comes to the quality and freshness of fruit, vegetables, and leafy greens. Any sign of wilting or crushing makes these products almost impossible to sell – even at a significant discount. Thus, bringing these foods from the farm to the store shelves is one of the key challenges of the fresh produce supply chain.

The good news is that there is a solution that solves all the elements making up this complex challenge. Switching from traditional wooden and cardboard packaging to returnable plastic packaging has already proven effective for many agribusinesses.

Here are the main benefits of using modern reusable plastic crates and containers for storing and transporting fresh produce.

Reducing Truck Trips

Returnable plastic crates are stackable or nestable, so they help save space in the truck. This means that a single truck can be loaded with more products and deliver to more locations on the same trip. They do not have to return to the distribution hub or cold storage facility to unload empty packages and load other produce-filled packages.

The retailer’s staff simply stack or nest the empty crates and place them at the back of the trailer. This reduces fuel consumption, emissions, and overall transportation costs.

Reducing Handling

Large foldable containers and foldable crates for fruit and vegetables are adequate for use at every step of the fresh produce supply chain. From farm to store aisle, the fresh produce can be stored and delivered in the same package, without the need to unload and repackage them.

This has several benefits:

• Reduced risk of damaging the sensitive products during handling
• No need to purchase different types of packaging for each stage of the fresh produce supply chain
• Reduced food miles – the agribusiness can deliver the fresh produce from the farm straight to the store, without any intermediary repackaging point.

Protecting Fresh Produce from Damage

Returnable plastic packaging solutions have a special design to protect delicate produce, such as berries and leafy greens. They have smooth inner walls and rounded corners that prevent crushing and marking.

Also, the foldable crates for fruit and vegetables have perforated sides and bottom. This helps liquids to drain and also ensures proper ventilation. In this way, fruit and vegetables maintain their fresh aspect and are protected from spoilage.

Faster Restocking

The plastic packaging materials for the fresh produce supply chain have an ergonomic design for easy handling. The store employees can quickly lift and stack the crates on pallets or dollies, using the open handles on the short sides of the crate.

Also, the plastic pallets and large foldable containers have feet or skids, ensuring smooth and safe handling by forklift or pallet truck. This helps speed up restocking, while reducing the risk of accidents, resulting in injuries and product damage.

Increased Sustainability

Returnable plastic crates for the fresh produce supply chain are a more sustainable option than traditional packaging. It can be reused multiple times over several years, thus reducing the amount of waste that goes to landfills.

Also, at the end of their lifespan, all reusable plastic packaging materials are 100% recyclable. They are made of polyethylene or high-density polypropylene, two plastic materials with the highest recycling rate.

Moreover, these raw materials are a by-product of crude oil processing. Thus, no natural resources are used specifically to produce plastic packaging. This is significantly more sustainable than felling trees for wooden crates and pallets – which have a short lifespan and are difficult to repurpose.

Logistic Packaging is your trusted provider of returnable packaging solutions for the fresh produce supply chain and any other application. Send us an email today to start discussing your packaging needs with one of our experts!

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