Edward Out, Managing Director of OTC Organics states the company has taken the next step for sustainable grapes: “We are proud that we made a significant step in reducing emissions, energy, water use and reduction in carton usage. By doing so we are actively contributing towards reducing the CO2-Footprint of the overseas organic grape.”
In the past two years OTC Organics invested time & money with partners in the supply chain in order to replace a single use consumer packaging which was home recyclable. In close cooperation with our customers OTC Organics successfully tested various carton based alternatives to single use plastic.
“To meet our challenging sustainability goals, it was decided to conduct the first tests with a more sustainable transport packaging for organic grapes. For the first time in our long history of selling organic overseas grapes we have packed our sustainable consumer packaging carton punnet + r-PET lid and loose grapes in paper carry bags in IFCO’s reusable Black Lift Lock crates. The best existing sustainable solution for our customer!”, Edward says.
Replacing the standard carton transport box with a reusable IFCO crate, which is reused several times and fully recycled to make new IFCO crates, led to a wide range of advantages for everyone within the supply chain, like significant cost reduction. Growers in South Africa are confronted with considerable increase in raw materials during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using the reusable crate led also to a more efficient packing- and loading process.
Marthia Botha, CEO of Orex Export (Pty): “Shorten the chain from farm to customer gives the customer the advantage of better-quality fruit as the handling to each packaging will be less. Furthermore, we managed to decrease energy usage during the pre-cooling process after harvesting due to a 25% quicker force cooling process.”
For more information:
Email: sales@otcorganics.com
www.otcorganics.com