Gain insight into the potential of reusable packaging at Euro Pool System
Reusable packaging will also become part of the producer responsibility for packaging. This means that companies which import or manufacture reusable packaging will have producer responsibility for this packaging. But reusable packaging is also interesting because it is potentially economically advantageous over the use of disposable packaging. Get inspiration from VANA member, Euro Pool System, who has built a recycling company based on returnable folding boxes.
With their green folding boxes, Euro Pool System is the leading logistics provider of returnable packaging in the European fresh supply chain. And with producer responsibility for packaging on the way in Denmark, the circular properties of folding boxes have gained an even greater focus due to their economic potential in relation to minimising companies' packaging consumption. Especially grocery suppliers will typically be able to reduce disposable packaging volumes – and thus the future costs associated with the producer responsibility – by replacing cardboard and plastic around the individual products with the characteristic green returnable boxes.
200,000 boxes in circulation per day with the help of barcodes
In Denmark alone, Euro Pool System manages 55 million boxes annually. It takes place at a depot-washery at Rema 1000's head quarter in Horsens, where approximately 200,000 boxes are brought in, and the same number sent out, every single day.
The green returnable boxes are the standard in the European fresh supply chain because they are robust, foldable, and foldable with a simple mechanism, and are suitable for handling in automated plants. The reusable plastic boxes, which rotate repeatedly between food manufacturers and stores with an intermediate wash and disinfection between each rotation, have an average lifespan of more than seven years, and are available in nine sizes.
Each box is equipped with a plastic embedded barcode and QR code according to GS1 standard, which makes it possible to locate the box from the time it is sent out (cleaned) of the depot to either a fruit or vegetable supplier in Denmark or abroad, who fills the box and sends it to fresh food warehouses at e.g. Rema 1000, Dagrofa and Salling Group, who then send it on to their stores.
"The boxes' route from manufacturers to stores will thus always be registered, as long as the recipients make sure to scan the boxes; But usually the deposit of DKK 28.75 per box as a rule, usually ensures that. In addition, it will be possible to register information about the box's other packaging contents, which can be used, e.g., in connection with registration of packaging quantities and types when the producer responsibility comes into force – and here it is an additional advantage if you are a member of VANA, whose systems are connected to the GS1 platform", explains Lars Nipper, Nordic commercial manager at Euro Pool System.
Continuous development and testing for new products
The first version of the box was launched in 1992, followed in 2006 by a version with foldable sides, which optimised logistics as less “empty air” is transported when the box is distributed to "fillers" and returned to depot-washeries around Europe. And now a third generation of the boxes is on its way with two-dimensional barcodes according to GS1 standard, making it possible to connect even more information about the box's route and contents.
Danish food companies have traditionally been concerned with safety when packaging is designed – both in terms of food safety itself and in connection with the transport of the goods. Therefore, the boxes are also tested continuously both with existing products, such as meat and convenience products, and new options, such as bananas. Together with a Norwegian fish exporter, Euro Pool System is, for example, testing the boxes in relation to the delivery of fish.
With the upcoming producer responsibility for packaging, it will be an important parameter to take even more account of expanding the use of reusable packaging, which is one of the reasons why Euro Pool System is in the process of developing new and other secondary reusable packaging solutions.
"At European level, our loss is a modest 0.3 per cent, and the boxes that cannot be repaired are melted down into new boxes, which may contain up to 20 per cent recycled plastic. The rest is transformed into garden furniture, so the box can easily be part of the circular economy", explains Key Account Manager Frank Baad.
But even though the company's primary packaging is reusable boxes, it is also important to mention that the system also makes use of pallets, (EUR pallets - recycled) and single-use plastic film, which is wrapped around the boxes during transport from the company to the customers. Thus, Euro Pool System must already register as a company as of 31 March 2024. They must do so because they have the producer responsibility for their single-use plastic film and other transport packaging.
"Therefore, we have joined VANA, so we are guaranteed direct access to advice, guidance, and knowledge about producer responsibility and relevant and timely updates on the Danish implementation."
Nordic Commercial Manager, Euro Pool System
According to the executive order (proposal), companies that EXCLUSIVELY import or manufacture reusable packaging do not have to register their packaging until 1 January 2025.