Reusable packaging provider Viscount New Zealand says its national reusable crate system has now eliminated the equivalent of more than 200 million single-use cardboard boxes from New Zealand’s produce supply chain.
The milestone reflects the growing scale of circular packaging systems operating across the country’s food logistics network, with 1.5 million reusable produce crates currently circulating between growers, packhouses, transport operators and supermarkets.
According to the company, each reusable crate is designed to complete around 140 trips over its lifespan, replacing the equivalent number of disposable corrugate boxes.
Regan Hill, general manager of Viscount New Zealand, said the scale of reuse now operating across the sector demonstrates how practical packaging solutions can deliver both environmental and operational gains.
“Reusable packaging is one of the most effective ways the produce industry can reduce waste before it’s created,” Hill said.
“When you look at the scale of New Zealand’s produce supply chain, small operational improvements quickly add up to significant environmental outcomes.”
Unlike disposable cartons, the reusable crates are returned after use, washed, sanitised and recirculated through the supply chain. The company says the system supports reduced packaging waste while also improving handling efficiency, product protection and logistics performance.
While the reusable crate model has become well established in fresh produce, Viscount says the same principles are increasingly being applied in sectors such as eggs and poultry, where hygiene, durability and product protection are critical.
Hill said the success of the model in New Zealand demonstrates the importance of collaboration across the supply chain and points to broader opportunities for reuse systems across the food sector.
“This is about preventing waste before it is created. When reuse systems are designed properly and operate at scale, they deliver better outcomes for business, for supply chains and for the environment,” he said.
The company said the milestone demonstrates how circular packaging systems are moving beyond pilot programs to deliver measurable impact at national scale.
