BIG interview: Gianpaolo Mezzanotte explains how to cut CO2 and waste in fresh produce logistics

As sustainability targets tighten and EU regulations grow more complex, the fresh produce industry is under pressure to make packaging smarter, leaner, and greener. But switching from single-use to reusable packaging isn’t always a clear or easy path — especially for smaller operators juggling operational costs and logistics. Tosca, one of the global leaders in reusable packaging and pooling solutions, is tackling these challenges head-on with innovation, scale, and strategy.

We spoke with Gianpaolo Mezzanotte, Managing Director for Italy, France, and Spain at Tosca EMEA, to learn how the company’s latest offerings are helping fruit and vegetable supply chains become more sustainable and efficient — from foldable low bins to smart pooling systems that serve both major retailers and local players.

Fructidor: Tosca is known for foldable crates, reusable pallets, IoT-enabled pooling, etc. Which innovations launched in the past year are gaining the most traction — especially across fruit & produce segments?

Mr. Mezzanotte: This year, we launched foldable Low Bins — an innovative addition to Tosca’s retail product portfolio for fruit and vegetables in Europe. Designed in two sizes with sleek, durable black bases, these reusable bins are ideal for displaying fresh produce like apples, melons, and tomatoes in a more efficient and attractive way for retailers.

They feature a perforated design for airflow, are stackable for easy transport, and come with full traceability options (barcodes, QR, and RFID). Made from recyclable HDPE, they offer both sustainability and operational benefits.

Already adopted by retailers in Italy, they’re helping improve in-store presentation, reduce waste, and optimise logistics. We're now exploring expansion across other EU markets.

Fructidor: The shift from single-use to reusable packaging is gaining ground — but adoption remains uneven. What do you see as the biggest barriers, and how can the industry accelerate the transition?

Mr. Mezzanotte: Certainly, over the last few years, the adoption of reusable packaging has gained significant momentum due to increased awareness of the benefits that reusable packaging, managed in a pooling system, can bring to supply chains in terms of economic, environmental, and social sustainability.

This increased reusable use can vary from country to country due to the existing logistics systems, market dynamics, and product sector. For example, if we focus on the fruit and vegetable sector in Italy (where Tosca is the market leader), we can see that the incidence of reusable packaging (RPC boxes) is around 60%–65% for retailers who have already adopted this virtuous system, and these retailers represent around 90% of the grocery retailer market in Italy.

To continue growing adoption, it’s important to keep communicating the economic and sustainability benefits of reusable packaging at every stage of management and operations to retailers. These include the logistical efficiencies it enables through standardisation (such as the ability to automate preparation at distribution centres), and how it helps reduce speculative, one-off purchases at general markets.

Fructidor: Some argue reusable packaging only works at scale. What’s your response to small and mid-sized operators who worry about cost or operational complexity?

Mr. Mezzanotte: Volumes and economies of scale certainly represent an advantage for effective and efficient management of reusable packaging. However, we have examples such as Italy (characterised by a very high fragmentation of the world of retailers), where Tosca has managed to introduce the pooling activity for fruit and vegetable crates at very small and local retailers. This is thanks to joint and shared verification work that has led to tailor-made and win-win solutions for both the retailer and their suppliers.

Furthermore, the participation in our pooling program by numerous small and local retailers has then allowed us to progressively reach a significant level of aggregation, increasing operational and economic efficiencies even further.

It’s important to have vision and determination — and using these values, Tosca has persuaded many small and medium-sized retailers to switch to pooling, supported by a strategy to expand its local logistics network. This has led to the creation of Service Centres close to retailers, simplifying their operations and creating valuable logistics synergies.

Fructidor: Many of our readers face pressure to reduce CO₂, meet circularity goals, and comply with complex EU regulations. Where should they start — and how can packaging play a strategic role?

Mr. Mezzanotte: Packaging is actually a great place to start. It often flies under the radar, but it plays a big role in both sustainability and compliance. With the updated PPWR regulations coming into effect, there’s now a real push towards packaging that’s reusable or fully recyclable. That’s where smart choices can make a difference.

At Tosca, we work with businesses to replace single-use packaging with reusable solutions that not only help meet those regulatory requirements but also reduce CO₂ and drive efficiency across the supply chain. It’s about turning packaging into a strategic asset rather than just a cost.

Fructidor: Your homepage claims 66% CO₂ reduction, zero-landfill waste, labour gains, better cube utilisation, etc. Can you share real-world examples of improved cost-efficiency and sustainability from retailers or growers?

Mr. Mezzanotte: A great example is Agromark, a Spanish exporter of fresh produce. By switching to Tosca’s custom-designed foldable bins for broccoli exports, they reduced truck journeys. This led to major cost savings and a significant drop in CO₂ emissions, while also preserving product quality and eliminating packaging waste.

Fructidor: Tosca is hosting a webinar on June 17 to explain the EU’s new PPWR and EPR packaging regulations. How are these regulations shaping your business model, and how is Tosca helping clients adapt?

Mr. Mezzanotte: The new regulations are reinforcing the shift toward reusable, circular packaging — reinforcing Tosca’s business strategy and aims. They align closely with our model, and we’re helping clients adapt by offering compliant, reusable solutions that reduce waste and emissions. The webinar was a chance to break down the complexity and show how practical changes in packaging can meet both regulatory and sustainability goals, working closely with our customers.

Fructidor: What will define Tosca's legacy in the next five years, and what are the most exciting markets you're targeting now?

Mr. Mezzanotte: Our vision is to promote increasingly advanced, optimised, and integrated pooling systems, both in terms of product combinations and the creation of a digital ecosystem to develop the traceability of reusable packaging. We will use our internal R&D expertise to develop new products and solutions that will allow us to enter new markets and market segments, both in the world of fresh products (meat and dairy in particular) as well as in other grocery and FMCG sectors. Our ambition at Tosca is to be seen as the end-to-end (E2E) reference partner when it comes to reusable packaging and pooling for all logistics chains and for all applications.

About Tosca

Tosca is one of the global leaders in reusable plastic packaging and performance pooling solutions. Committed to driving sustainability and innovation across industries, Tosca focuses on supplying innovative packaging solutions for a wide variety of industries.

Tosca's end-to-end pooling capabilities offer a smart and sustainable solution for growers, suppliers, and retailers. By utilising reusable containers and pallets, Tosca not only reduces costs but also enhances supply chain performance.

Start reducing waste and cutting costs today. Send your inquiry for a free consultation.