Transportation is the spin of every supply chain in the food manufacturing industry. However, it is also one of the biggest contributors to environmental impact. This is largely down to the methods of transportation themselves, whether it be by road, air or even sea, each mode contributes significantly to the carbon footprint of individual businesses and the industry as a whole.
In fact, transportation alone accounts for roughly 11% of the total greenhouse gas emissions in the global food system. In a bid to reduce the environmental impact of food transportation, many businesses within the food sector are employing various tactics to improve sustainability.
This includes the increased utilisation of electric vehicles, optimising transportation routes to reduce fuel consumption, lowering the weight of the freight transported and of course, the adoption of eco-friendly packaging solutions.
The Limitations of Traditional Packaging
Traditional packaging materials, such as single-use plastics and wood pallets, often fall short in terms of sustainability and efficiency.
In the case of single-use plastics, they contribute significantly to plastic pollution, particularly in marine environments as well as their production, transportation and disposal consuming vast amounts of energy and resources. These products also have an exceedingly short lifespan leading to excessive waste. Furthermore, many single-use plastic items are difficult to recycle due to contamination or the presence of multiple materials.
Wooden pallets, on the other hand, are susceptible to damage and decay, limiting their reuse potential and contributing to waste, plus the transportation of heavy wooden pallets can increase fuel consumption and emissions. And the issues don’t stop there, another key disadvantage of wooden pallets for food transportation is that they can harbour contaminants and pests, posing risks to food safety.
These limitations of traditional packaging highlight the need for more sustainable and efficient alternatives, such as returnable transit packaging from PPS Equipment.
The Advantages of Returnable Transit Packaging
Returnable transit packaging by PPS Equipment, provides a sustainable alternative to traditional food packaging. These reusable food pallet boxes and containers can be used multiple times, reducing the need for constant production and disposal.
By minimising waste and reducing the need for new materials, returnable packaging helps to conserve resources and reduce carbon emissions. Also, many of our reusable containers can be stacked and transported more efficiently, leading to cost savings and reduced fuel consumption.
- Cost savings
- Reduced environmental impact
- Improved efficiency
- Enhanced hygiene
Extended Product Lifespan
Our plastic food crates, fish boxes and insulated containers are made from high quality, robust materials. However, to further increase the lifespan of our products, PPS offers specialised washing and repair services.
Washing and repair services from PPS contribute to sustainability by reducing waste, improving resource efficiency and supporting a circular economy.
By providing complete packaging solutions, we help businesses to minimise waste and reduce the need for new production, helping to optimise the use of existing packaging assets, reducing the demand for raw materials and energy.
The Sustainability Benefits of Pallet Renting and Pooling
Renting and pooling pallets is yet another way of promoting sustainability in food supply chains, offering significant sustainability advantages compared to traditional models. This also promotes a circular economy by extending the lifespan of pallets and reducing the need for new production.
- Reduced resource consumption: By renting or pooling pallets, businesses can avoid the upfront costs and environmental impact associated with purchasing new pallets. This reduces the demand for raw materials and manufacturing resources.
- Improved logistics efficiency: Our pallet renting and pooling services provide efficient logistics solutions, including timely delivery and pickup of pallets, optimise transportation routes and reduce fuel consumption.
- Enhanced traceability: Our asset management systems incorporate tracking and tracing capabilities, allowing businesses to monitor the movement of pallets and identify inefficiencies. This can improve supply chain visibility and reduce losses.
PPS Equipment offers comprehensive pallet rental and pooling services that align with these sustainability benefits. By partnering with PPS, businesses can reduce their environmental impact, improve operational efficiency, and contribute to a more sustainable supply chain.
Sustainable Packaging Solutions
Returnable transit packaging by PPS Equipment, provides a sustainable alternative to traditional food transit packaging.
By reducing waste, improving resource efficiency and supporting a circular economy, PPS’s products and services give businesses a significant advantage.
Speak to our team today to discuss your requirements and optimise your operations.
