Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. has partnered with Arena Packaging to introduce reusable plastic containers, also known as RPCs, for bananas.
The invention aims to transform industry standards for the leading fruit in fresh produce, while significantly reducing food waste, carbon emissions and operational costs and preserving the fruit’s health, according to a news release.
With the introduction of RPCs, banana shipments now have improved airflow and extended shelf life, the release said.
RPCs are not only reusable, with a life cycle of up to 15 years, but are also trackable, according to the release. Each container will be reused approximately five times in a single year, and if damaged, individual parts can be collected, replaced and repurposed, the release said.
“Making produce more sustainable for consumers, from the farms to the shelves, has always been a top priority for Fresh Del Monte,” Hans Sauter, Fresh Del Monte’s chief sustainability officer and senior vice president of research and development, said in the release. “By emphasizing the reuse of packaging materials, we aim to reduce our environmental footprint, while promoting a circular economy of plastics.
“After years of collaborative work, this groundbreaking RPC design not only reduces greenhouse gas emissions but addresses fruit quality and pallet shipping density ensuring sustainable impact at every level of our supply chain,” Sauter continued. “Alliances such as this one serve as another example of how we’re always seeking ways to improve our operations with business partnerships that strive to achieve a more sustainable future.”
For more than 60 years, bananas have traditionally been shipped in single-use cardboard boxes, typically holding up to 40 pounds per box, the release said.
These boxes are then transported to grocery stores, where bananas are air-stacked in the back room — a labor-intensive, manual process that takes between 20 to 40 minutes to complete, the release said. Although cardboard is widely recyclable, developing options where packaging is reused is a first step in fighting climate change, according to the release. Prior to that, bananas were shipped by the stalk hanging from hooks in cargo ships, which led to the bananas arriving at their destinations in poor condition.
The implementation of the Banana RPC has also resulted in an overall healthier-looking fruit on the shelf, with less handling throughout the supply chain, the release said.
“Our collaboration with Fresh Del Monte Produce is set to redefine the entire process of packing, shipping, ripening, storing and merchandising bananas,” Tony Arena, founder and CEO of Arena Packaging, said in the release. “This marks a significant milestone in our shared mission to establish a more sustainable and circular packaging system.
“Arena Packaging’s innovative Banana RPC is the result of years of dedicated design and validation supported by industry veteran Jim Vangelos and Fresh Del Monte’s Sales Vice President Mike Naftel and Senior Director of Global Packaging, Christian Salnars,” Arena continued. “The Arena Banana RPC reduces the carbon footprint by 90% over a traditional corrugated banana carton.”
The Banana RPCs arrived at retail stores in the South Texas region last month, offering consumers an eco-friendly and convenient way to enjoy their favorite fruit, the release said.
Related link: More about Fresh Del Monte’s sustainability efforts
