Study shows reusable packaging cuts CO2 emissions

IFCO, a provider of reusable packaging containers for fresh products, says an independent life cycle assessment confirms that its reusable packaging containers significantly outperform single-use packaging in key sustainability metrics.

The company said it commissioned the Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics to conduct the peer-reviewed comparative study following international standards. This study updates a study conducted in 2018.

The new study analyzed the full lifecycle to compare IFCO’s reusable packaging containers with single-use to show the reusable packaging have a lower carbon footprint and save natural resources, according to a news release. The results were peer-reviewed by a panel of independent experts, the company said.

IFCO said this study is a part of its environmental, social, and governance strategy and supports its goals of becoming a net-zero, zero-waste business by 2040.

The study said IFCO’s European portfolio of reusable packaging containers:

• Consume 69% less water.
• Generate 96% less waste.
• Consume 59% less energy.
• Generate up to 62% less carbon dioxide equivalent, an improvement from 60% in 2018.

“Providing scientifically verified data on the sustainability of our reusable packaging compared to single-use packaging gives our customers the confidence that IFCO RPCs are the best choice for their supply chains,” said Iñigo Canalejo, vice president of ESG strategic marketing at IFCO. “This latest independent life cycle assessment confirms that our continuous improvements are delivering impactful, measurable results. With up to a 62% reduction in carbon emissions along with significant savings in water use, energy consumption and waste, IFCO RPCs are essential in making the fresh grocery supply chain sustainable.”