IFCO has launched a sustainability certification initiative for its retail customers in Europe and North America. The supplier of RPCs (Reusable Plastic Containers) for fresh produce will calculate and certify the energy and resource savings achieved by each individual customer through the use of reusable transport containers. The savings in carbon dioxide, water, energy, solid waste and food waste will be certified. The first certificates, which are based on data from the previous year, were awarded in September 2018.
The IFCO calculations are based on the global values of the Resource savings. RPCs therefore make a significant contribution to the Environmental protection. Compared to Disposable packaging they reduce both the CO2 emissions by up to 60 per cent and energy consumption by 64 per cent. Water consumption can be reduced by 80 per cent. Up to 86 per cent less solid waste is produced and damage to food is reduced by up to 96 per cent.
Abstract values are converted to practical examples
In order to visualise the abstract savings values, IFCO relates them to other conceivable quantities. For example, the CO2-emissions that a retailer generates through IFCO-RPCs is converted into the number of cars that emit this amount of carbon dioxide per year. Savings in water consumption are compared with the number of five-minute showers per year and energy savings with the number of light bulbs that could be operated for a year.
IFCO CEO Wolfgang Orgeldinger is convinced that the new certificates underline „that retailers are tackling environmental challenges in a tangible and measurable way.“
