Reusable Plastic Container Fact Sheet Reusable Plastic Containers The use of reusable plastic containers(RPC’s) by fruit and vegetable growers has recently become more popular as the push for sustainability increases. As more producers become concerned with decreasing the amount of waste created throughout the supply chain, sustainable options become progressively more relevant. The movement away from corrugated cardboard as the primary containment through transportation and distribution has become a viable RPC Companies option as growers look to RPC There are several different companies companies for a multi-purpose, more that produce and distribute quality sustainable option. RPCs. (Companies not limited to list.) Sustainable Transport Packaging RPCs can be used more successfully Their headquarters are located in St. in different application than Petersburg, FL. with various stocking corrugated cardboard throughout the locations around the U.S. They are supply chain. Growers are able to use a reseller, distributor, and custom RPCs from harvesting the product, manufacturer of various RPCs for a to transportation, to distribution number of applications. and sales as the display making Rehrig Pacific Company their operation more efficient. With their U.S. corporate headquarters This efficiency paired with the Corrugated Cardboard in Los Angeles, CA Rehrig has been sustainability of a product that lasts • Environmental Protection serving the Agriculture industry with for multiple uses, is the very option Agency (EPA) Estimates 30.1 RPCs since the 1980’s. Their products producers are searching for. Million tons of corrugated are designed to help producers safely cardboard are generated each and effectively transport products to RPCs have been around for more year(1) desired markets. than a few years and have always been • In 2013, 89% of those boxes were IFCO a popular choice of packaging for recycled(1) Known for being one of the leading large scale produce manufacturers. • Cardboard is the third largest RPC companies in North America Lately small local producers are disposed-of product by weight(2) the IFCO headquarters is located in turning to RPC companies for a • Second largest item in landfill by Tampa, FL. With 6 service centers more sustainable source of packaging volume (2) located around the U.S. they are working towards creating the most for their Community Supported • Recycled Cardboard uses 76% cost effective sustainable RPCs in the Agriculture (CSA), auction sales, or of the energy needed to produce (3) Market. farmers market vending businesses. new cardboard Agriculture and Natural Resources - Family & Conumer Sciences 4-H/Youth Development - Community & Economic Development Advantages and Disadvantages Advantages • Promotes sustainability. • Reduction of waste (i.e. corrugated cardboard) • Faster and more efficient ventilation • Easier storage capabilities • More stability when stacked • Ease and speed of handling • More efficient • Reduction in energy • Reduction of long term packaging cost • Prompt return on investment • Decrease in post-harvest lost Disadvantages • Initial cost associated with the implantation of RPCs • Cost associated with backhauling Resources to help get the Right Sources • Cost associated with washing/ RPC: • (1) Commercial Recycling | Paper Recycling. (2015, August 29). Retrieved sanitizing July 14, 2015, from http://www.epa.gov/ • Additional storage for unused RPC “Returnable Plastic Crate (RPC) wastes/conserve/materials/paper/setting/ inventory systems can reduce postharvest commercial.htm • Potential loss or damage of container losses and improve earnings for • (2)Miller, C. (2010, September 1). fresh produce operations” - Dr. Lisa Corrugated Boxes. Retrieved July 8, 2015. Kitinoja (April 2013) http://waste360.com/Recycling_And_ http://postharvest.org/RPCs%20 Processing/corrugated-cardboard-201009 PEF%202013%20White%20 • (3) Recycling Facts & Tips. (n.d.). paper%2013-01%20pdf%20final.pdf Retrieved July 12, 2015 http://www. wm.com/location/california/ventura- county/thousand-oaks/recycle/facts.jsp “RPA Issues Guidelines and Best • (4) Fuller, J. (2013, December 26). Level Practices to Strengthen Safety of One Cert Food Safety 101: Cleaning, Returnable Containers in Food Sanitation, Equipment Use and Care - Supply Chains.” (March 2015) Ky DoE. Retrieved July 20, 2015, from http://reusables.org/4627/general/ https://prezi.com/mnlxqy2lumgr/ level-one-cert-food-safety-101-cleaning- rpa-issues-guidelines-and-best- sanitation-equipment-use-and-care-ky- Recommendations for Producers practices-to-strengthen-safety-of- doe/ • Inspections procedures returnable-containers-in-food- • Sustainable Transport Packaging • Store under cover supply-chains http://www. • Cleaning and Sanitation(4) sustainabletransportpackaging.com/ • pre-scape, rinse, or soak “New Food Safety Protocols 111 2nd Avenue NE, Suite 802 • Wash: 1100F with detergent Published for Reusable Grocery St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • Rinse Containers” - James Andrews • Rehrig Pacific Company • Sanitize: 750F with 50ppm chlorine http://www.rehrigpacific.com for 1 minute (12.5ppm iodine or (March 2015) 4010 East 26th St. 200ppmQAC may also be used, ppm http://www.foodsafetynews. Los Angeles, CA 90058 may vary based on product) com/2015/03/new-food-safety- • IFCO • Wrapping clean containers in plastic protocols-published-for-reusable- https://www.ifco.com/na/en/ for protection grocery-containers/ ifco/55dd1ce50ecc41c8 3030 N Rocky Point Dr. • Cover during transportation Tampa, FL 33607 Educational programs of Kentucky Cooperative Extension serve all people regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, disability, or national origin. Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, M. Scott Smith, Director of Cooperative Extension Service, University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Lexington, and Kentucky State University, Frankfort. Copyright © 2006 for materials developed by University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension. This publication may be reproduced in portions or its entirety for educational or nonprofit purposes only. 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