IFCO ships 1bn reusable containers each year

IFCO, a Florida-based container manufacturer, offers products for fresh produce, packaged foods, and other items. The supplier has operations in several countries around the world.

Positive news​

Wolfgang Orgeldinger, IFCO’s CEO, told FoodProductionDaily the company’s 20 years of increased sales is a good sign for the financial health of its customers.

“Our growth is a testament to the value IFCO RPCs offer the fresh supply chain in each of IFCO’s 29 countries of operation​,” he said.

Eco benefits​

According to the company, reusable plastic containers (RPCs) offer sustainability benefits by reducing environmental impact, food waste, and supply chain costs. The firm estimates the sustainable benefits attained by the use of 1bn RPCs each year is equivalent to cutting CO2 emissions of approximately 75,000 vehicles, the solid waste generated by 400,000 consumers, and the water consumed by 600,000 people.

Additionally, use of RPCs reduces food waste tied to product damage, according to IFCO. The annual use of 1bn RPCs reportedly eliminates about 4,000 metric tons of food waste—enough to provide more than 2.7m consumers with five servings of fruit and vegetables each day, for a year.

Increased interest​

Jerry Welcome, president of the Reusable Packaging Association, said manufacturers along the food supply chain, and in other fields, are increasingly aware of the benefits of RPCs.

“The demand for reusables and for information about how to increase their adoption and ROI keeps growing​,” he said.

IFCO is one of 37 companies exhibiting in the Reusable Packaging Pavilion at PACK EXPO International 2014, scheduled November 2-5 in Chicago. The specialized show area focuses on reusable containers, sanitation materials, service providers, and others focused on RPCs.

“Attendees tell us repeatedly that the pavilion and our Reusables Learning Center are an ideal one-stop forum for all their educational and product information needs​,” Welcome said.