IFCO expands study on impact of reusable plastic containers

IFCO Systems, a leading supplier of reusable plastic containers (RPCs) for fresh products, is expanding its life cycle assessment research comparing RPCs and display-ready corrugated boxes used to ship fresh produce to grocery retailers. 

To be out by May, the new study will add human and eco-toxicity impact categories to the areas currently  under review, which include solid waste, energy demand, water usage and more. The report is being produced by Franklin Associates, a Division of ERG, a leading consulting company specializing in life cycle assessment and solid waste management. 

The new research on life cycle analysis of human and eco-toxicity impacts for RPCs is expected to add a layer of information to the analysis, according to Hillary Femal, Vice President of Global Marketing for IFCO. The two impact categories were previously not evaluated in the life cycle assessment released in 2013 due to the lack of scientific consensus regarding methodology in early 2012 when the study made. 

IFCO’s previously released study confirmed RPCs as a sustainable packaging option, revealing that the IFCO solution generates 82% less solid waste, consumes 92% less water, requires 49% lower energy demand, and lowers ozone depletion by 76% for a weighted average of 10 top produce commodities. The study also shows that for every 1,000 pounds of produce shipped in IFCO RPCs instead of display-ready corrugated boxes, growers and retailers save approximately 13 pounds of solid waste, 700,000 British Thermal Unit (BTU) of energy (equivalent to five gallons of diesel) and 360 gallons of water.