The life cycle analysis conducted earlier this year showed that multi-use plant trays score better in terms of sustainability than single-use plant trays. But the auction is seeing a decrease in the use of multi-use plant trays. The survey was used to examine why customers and growers choose a particular packaging.
Most important results
- 80% of the customers and growers consider it important to make packaging material sustainable;
- Customers (2/3) determine more often than growers (1/3) which type of tray will be used;
- The most important aspects for a plant tray are loading, sturdiness and cleanliness;
- According to surveyed customers and growers, the multi-use tray scores better in terms of sturdiness and the single-use tray scores better in terms of loading and cleanliness;
- The administration and the return flow are considered disadvantages for the use of multi-use trays primarily by export-oriented customers.
Both customers and growers envisage many possibilities to make the use of packaging more sustainable. Members could be made more aware of the topic, and the supply of multi-use plant trays could be better matched to the demand. At the start of 2018, Royal FloraHolland are presenting a plan to improve the sustainability of the entire sector, with concrete actions to make the use of packaging as efficient and sustainable as possible. It will be implemented in collaboration with the chain partners and stakeholders.
Source: Royal FloraHolland