Euro Pool System switches to the newest green folding trays

Euro Pool System, one of the leading logistics providers of reusable packaging in the European fresh supply chain, initiated large-scale transition from blue containers to the latest generation of folding green trays with the aim of making the transport of fruit and vegetables more sustainable.

At most supermarkets in the Benelux countries (Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg), fruit and vegetables are kept in blue trays, which are shipped from supplier to the store. Euro Pool System's blue containers have been the standard for the transport of fruits and vegetables since 1992. From 1 February, the company took the next step towards further improving sustainability and began replacing millions of rigid blue containers with newest folding green trays. Blue trays will be collected and recycled.

According to Dirk Vercammen, regional director at Euro Pool System, the new trays can be folded up after use, so they take up seven times less space on the way back. Accordantly, more empty trays can fit into the freight vehicle. "As a result, we literally transport less air. That translates to 20,000 fewer freight vehicle trips in the Benelux countries each year which, in turn, is an important step in making the transport of fruits and vegetables even more sustainable," he added.

The folding tray is on its way to becoming the new standard in the European logistics sector. Its simple mechanism allows these sturdy trays to be folded and unfolded, making them particularly suitable for automated systems. The service life of these trays is seven years. They are made from high quality HDPE plastic and are 100% recyclable. The newly added barcode on the tray allows scanning the tray upon arrival and departure, making it possible to track the transport of fruit and vegetables.

Euro Pool System expects to complete its enormous operation in mid-2022. The company is working on this large-scale transition with all its partners, from cooperatives and producers to wholesalers and retailers.

Euro Pool System is one of the market leaders in returnable packaging for the fresh supply chain in Europe. The company has a network of approximately 71 service centres in fifteen countries.

For more information, visit company’s website.