Last Monday, BelOrta, Belgium’s largest fruit and vegetables corporation, officially launched Euro Pool System’s new tray washing facility in Sint-Katelijne-Waver in the presence of Belgian Minister of Environment Zuhal Demir.
Opening this brand-new tray washing facility in Sint-Katelijne-Waver demonstrates one of Euro Pool System’s pillars in sustainability: the logistics service provider cleans plastic trays to prepare them for reuse. This way, Euro Pool System and BelOrta can guarantee that all fruits and vegetables are transported in clean and reusable trays.
New tray washing facility: a more efficient use of water and energy
An important part of washing the trays is a sustainable and careful use of water. Euro Pool System optimised this process, which leads to impressive results:
- A reduction of 15-20% in water use per tray and innovation in label removal, resulting in a yearly decrease in water usage of around 50.000 m3.
- Rainwater is incorporated within the process, accounting for a 20% of its total yearly water use.
- CO2 emissions are cut by washing trays on a lower temperature.
Unfolding a world of circular value
Later this year, Euro Pool System and BelOrta will start the transition from rigid trays to green foldable trays. Once the washing facility for foldable tomato trays has been added, the facility will process around 90 million trays a year. Using foldable trays drastically lowers the number of rotations needed, thus reducing traffic and CO2 emissions.
“The Flemish industry is an indispensable force in combatting climate change and drought. As a Minister of Environment, I am delighted to see BelOrta pioneering in implementing Flanders legislation: using water more economically, reusing rainwater and lowering CO2 emissions”, says Minister of Environment Demir.
Minister of Environment Demir opening the tray washing facility in Sint-Katelijne-Waver (Photo by David Legrève)
Euro Pool Group and sustainability
Since the launch of their Sustainability Strategy in 2017, Euro Pool Group has been working tirelessly to reduce their carbon footprint by 20% before 2025, compared to 2017 data. Last year the logistics service provider focused on further embedding this strategy, both internally and externally. Reusable packaging and pallets result in lower CO2 emissions in the fresh food supply chain. “Together with our partners, we are always working towards our goal of a circular supply chain. Therefore, we believe that more and more stakeholders will join our pooling formula, which reduces CO2 emissions, avoids food waste and creates a better world for the next generation,” said Gerjo Scheringa, CEO of Euro Pool Group.
For more information:
Annemieke van der Heijde
Euro Pool System International
Tel: +31 6 25 63 24 70
Email: Annemieke.vanderHeijde@europoolsystem.com