Making logistics resources more sustainable is high on the agenda at Royal FloraHolland, part of which is reducing the amount of waste created by the use of logistics resources. The development and introduction of a low multi-use set-up rack helps with this. It can save at least 100,000 kilos of single-use cardboard a year, says Paul van den Berg, senior Advisor of Packaging at Royal FloraHolland.
We first go back in time with Paul. “Around 2010, we started using cardboard collars, especially for roses. Its popularity grew rapidly, and in 2018, we saw a peak in its use. But at the same time, dissent from the chain also grew. More and more trading companies said they wanted to use less cardboard. We saw a shift from high to low cardboard and even to no cardboard at all.”
These developments are also related to the fact that the chain is changing. Transactions are getting smaller. “Previously, exporters were more likely to send whole buckets to end customers. Now, it is increasingly a bunch here, a bunch there. As a result, the cardboard collars more often go off already at the trading companies, the protective added value of these collars is more limited, and it is immediately waste,” Paul explains. “Waste streams are increasing at these exporters, and it disrupts processes, we hear from those companies.”
Substantial savings on cardboard
The call for less cardboard is entirely in line with Royal FloraHolland’s ambition to be more economical with packaging materials, he says. “We try to encourage as much as possible not to use material if it is not necessary. And if you then want to use packaging, choose multi-use because that is almost always the most sustainable. Based on the wishes of buyers and growers, we previously developed top collars for roses of 70cm and longer, which are placed on a multi-use rack. This is an alternative to the high cardboard collars. This led to a saving of 60% on cardboard. Now we are also developing an alternative to the low collar for roses, suitable for lengths 55 and 60cm. We did this in cooperation with the wholesale users and the FPC Roos, among others. We expect to save 100,000 kilos of one-way cardboard per year with the new multi-use set-up rack.”
This new multi-use rack, with keg code Fc595, fits the multi-use flower bucket Fc588. “This is a deliberate choice because we see that this one is the most used in the meantime and also has the most growth. Most of the market can go with it. In terms of material, color, and design, the set-up rack is in line with the existing pool casks.”
Many positive reactions
Paul toured several prospective users. What are the reactions there? “I hear a lot of positive sounds, both users on the captain’s side and on the buyer’s side are very enthusiastic.”
On the market in June 2024
The multi-use rack for 55 and 60-cm roses is expected to be added to Royal FloraHolland’s range of pool boxes after next year’s peak. “The prototypes have been developed out, and the mold has been ordered. The introduction is now planned around June 2024,” Paul concludes.
For more information:
Royal FloraHolland
www.royalfloraholland.com