The fresh produce supply chain is under increasing pressure from rising consumer demand, increasing sustainability expectations, and mounting logistical hurdles. Whether it’s transporting fruits and vegetables across long distances or ensuring minimal environmental impact, the complexity of delivering fresh produce efficiently is ever-growing. However, there are innovative solutions available that can help businesses streamline their operations while minimising their environmental footprint.

In this blog, we will explore some of the key challenges in the fresh produce supply chain and highlight how Tosca’s innovative solutions–such as reusable plastic packaging–can optimise logistics, reduce food miles, and enhance sustainability.

We strive to be at the forefront of transforming the supply chain by addressing these issues head-on, offering a sustainable, cost-effective alternative to traditional methods.

Reducing Food Miles

Food miles refer to the distance food travels from the field to the consumer. These miles impact not only transportation costs but also the environment. The more trips food takes over longer distances, the more fuel is consumed, resulting in increased costs and higher carbon emissions. Inefficient logistics–such as unnecessary truck trips and suboptimal packing–only exacerbate this problem.

Another risk associated with longer food miles is “shrink,” which occurs when fresh produce spoils due to lengthy transit times. Shrink leads to significant financial losses, both in terms of wasted product and reduced sales potential. Optimising transportation is critical for keeping food miles low and ensuring fresh produce reaches its destination in prime condition.

Overcoming Driver Shortages

The logistics industry is currently facing a significant shortage of drivers. In Europe alone, it is projected that the truck driver shortage will reach 2 million unfilled positions by 2026. This shortage leads to delays in the supply chain and also increases operational costs. Perishable goods like fresh produce are particularly vulnerable to these delays, which can increase the risk of shrink and result in financial loss.

The Environmental Impact of Single-Use Packaging

Single-use packaging is a significant contributor to environmental waste. The fresh produce industry, in particular, generates millions of tonnes of plastic waste annually. The growing demand for more sustainable alternatives has created an urgent need for packaging solutions that don’t just reduce waste but also enhance supply chain efficiency.

Tosca’s solutions to supply chain challenges

Tosca’s innovative reusable plastic packaging solutions offer a range of benefits that address these challenges. By improving transport optimisation and enhancing sustainability efforts, Tosca’s solutions are designed to make fresh produce supply chains more efficient and eco-friendly.

Reducing Truck Trips

Tosca’s reusable plastic crates (RPCs) are specifically designed to reduce truck trips optimise cube utilisation during transport. These crates allow for up to 25% more efficient use of space, reducing truck trips and emissions by up to 66%. In addition, our foldable crates allow up to seven times more empty crates to be transported in a single vehicle compared to traditional rigid plastic crates. This reduces transportation costs while also minimising environmental impact.

By requiring fewer trips to transport more items, Tosca’s RPCs alleviate the pressure created by the driver shortage. Fewer trips mean fewer drivers on the road, helping businesses continue to deliver products efficiently, even as driver shortages continue.

Enhancing Sustainability

Tosca’s reusable packaging is designed for multiple uses, offering a sustainable alternative to single-use plastic. Unlike wood pallets, which may only last for a single trip or a few years with repairs, Tosca’s plastic pallets can be used hundreds of times and are 100% recyclable at the end of their life cycle.

By switching to reusable packaging, businesses can significantly reduce waste, support their sustainability goals, and minimise their reliance on materials destined for landfills. Furthermore, Tosca’s durable plastic crates offer superior protection for fresh produce compared to corrugated alternatives, which are prone to absorbing moisture and losing structural integrity. This reduced risk of damage and spoilage translates to less shrink and more savings.

Streamlined Operations

Tosca’s packaging solutions are designed to streamline logistics and improve efficiency throughout the supply chain. Our stackable plastic crates ensure consistent, standardised packaging that simplifies handling and storage. The design of our crates maximises space, making it easier for employees to quickly find and access products, reducing restocking time and allowing staff to focus on higher-value tasks.

The innovative foldable design of Tosca’s crates also reduces labour costs and improves operational efficiency by up to 53%. This makes them an ideal solution for businesses looking to optimise operations while keeping costs low.

Save money while you save the planet with pooling

Tosca offers a cost-effective and sustainable solution through its pooling service. Pooling allows businesses to share a pool of reusable packaging, such as plastic crates, rather than purchasing and managing them independently. This not only reduces capital outlay, but also eliminates the hassle of managing, cleaning, and repairing packaging. Tosca takes care of all the logistics, ensuring that the right assets are always available when and where you need them.

Pooled reusable crates can be used over 100 times, significantly reducing the reliance on single-use packaging. At the end of their life cycle, Tosca’s crates are 100% recycled and re-ground into material used to create new reusable products, supporting a closed-loop system that aligns with businesses’ sustainability goals.

Your fresh produce partner

In today’s competitive environment, Tosca provides businesses with a practical and sustainable solution for optimising their fresh produce supply chains. By utilising foldable, nestable crates, you can reduce storage and reverse logistics costs while enhancing the efficiency of your operations. Tosca’s innovative packaging solutions streamline your logistics and give you a competitive edge by helping you meet your sustainability goals.

As Eisberg, a European producer and client of Tosca, says: “Making the switch to Tosca’s reusable crates was easy and stress-free. We appreciate Tosca’s continuous product innovation and development, such as quicker folding rates and even more durable plastic. We look forward to further growing our partnership into other areas of our business.”

Get in touch today to take the next step in optimising your fresh produce supply chain.

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