PULLACH, GERMANY - Since IFCO's 1992 founding, the company’s Reusable Plastic Containers (RPCs) have generated supply chain savings in the amount of $5.2 billion.
“IFCO RPCs have inherent attributes that make them the ideal choice for packaging, transporting, storing and displaying fresh food,” said CEO Wolfgang Orgeldinger in a recent press release. “This impressive data confirms our shared and reusable business model benefits our customers and helps make the world a better place at the same time.”
What is helping to fatten customers’ wallets? Reduced labor and handling costs, reduced product damage rates and equipment, space, and transport efficiencies provided by using RPCs versus one-way packaging have all been major contributors to the cost-savings.
The company’s RPCs have been utilized on 9.5 billion trips since the company’s beginnings, which led to labor and handling savings of over $1.1 billion, a reduction of damaged products that shows a $3.6 billion savings when compared with one-way packaging. Further, RPCs generated $605 million in savings from equipment space and transport efficiencies.
“RPCs are the fastest type of fresh produce packaging because forward-thinking retailers and growers understand they are more efficient, cost-effective and sustainable. We look forward to working with our value chain partners for another 25 years and beyond to build a better supply chain,” said Orgeldinger.
IFCO is celebrating its 25th anniversary throughout 2017 with announcements of the company's successes, events, and a 25,000 € donation to food banks throughout Europe and North America.
According to the press release, additional research shows:
- RPCs are a more effective method for replenishing fresh produce versus cardboard boxes. The study showed RPCs are six times faster for apples and five times faster for peppers, confirming the critical role RPCs play in reducing labor costs.
- IFCO RPCs have had a positive impact on the environment. Over the past 25 years, they have:
- Eliminated 3.4 billion kg of CO2 emissions, the equivalent of removing nearly 500,000 cars from the roads.
- Prevented more than 951,000 metric tonnes of solid waste, enough to fill approximately 104,000 dump trucks.
- Reduced water consumption by 43 billion litres (11 billion gallons).
- Saved 317,982 metric tonnes of produce from damage and waste.
Congratulations IFCO! For more fresh produce news, check back with us at AndNowUKnow.
