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LCA Report

LCA Report. University of Iceland, published in Journal of Cleaner Production in January 2024. Environmental Impacts of Single-Use and Multi-Use Packaging for Fresh Fish Export

This study underscores the importance of transitioning from single-use to multi-use systems in reducing environmental impacts while maintaining cost and operational efficiency for fresh fish transport.

Yellow iTUB containers Stacked

LCA Report in short

LCA Report. University of Iceland, published in Journal of Cleaner Production in January 2024. Environmental Impacts of Single-Use and Multi-Use Packaging for Fresh Fish Export

Key Findings:

  1. Environmental Impact Reduction
  2. Multi-Use Tubs:
  3. Single-Use EPS Boxes
  4. Design Efficiency


Recommendations and Benefits:

  • Adopting Multi-Use Tubs:
  • Eco-Design Improvements:
  • Future Directions

This study underscores the importance of transitioning from single-use to multi-use systems in reducing environmental impacts while maintaining cost and operational efficiency for fresh fish transport.

LCA Report key findings

  1. Environmental Impact Reduction:
    • Multi-use tubs (made of PE or PUR) have significantly lower environmental impacts compared to single-use EPS boxes when transporting 1,000 tons of fresh fish annually from Iceland to Europe.
    • EPS boxes produce 141 tons of CO2 equivalent per year, whereas multi-use tubs range between 4 and 46 tons of CO2 equivalent depending on size and design.
  2. Multi-Use Tubs:
    • Lifespan: Multi-use tubs are guaranteed to last 8 years but often exceed 12–15 years, further reducing their environmental footprint.
    • Recyclability: PE tubs are fully recyclable, whereas PUR tubs face challenges due to their composite material composition.
    • Cleaning and Reuse: Multi-use tubs require regular cleaning and maintenance, but their reuse over time significantly reduces environmental impact.
  3. Single-Use EPS Boxes:
    • Highest Environmental Impact: EPS boxes result in higher emissions across most environmental impact categories, including global warming and ozone depletion.
    • Limited Recyclability: Recycling rates for EPS boxes vary by region but remain low, with approximately 30% recycled in Europe.
  4. Design Efficiency:
    • Multi-use tubs are optimized for stacking, reducing transport space and emissions. The “Twin Tub” design allows for efficient backhauls by nesting when empty, further lowering emissions and costs.
Yellow iTUB containers Stacked
Yellow iTUB containers Stacked

Recommendations and Benefits

 

  • Adopting Multi-Use Tubs:
    • Businesses can achieve up to an 80% reduction in CO2 emissions by switching from EPS to multi-use tubs.
    • Operational savings through reduced packaging waste and optimized transport logistics.
    • Aligns with sustainability goals, supporting green financing initiatives and circular economy models.
  • Eco-Design Improvements:
    • Incorporating higher ratios of recycled materials in tub production can further lower environmental impact, though food safety regulations require additional measures such as virgin plastic liners.
  • Future Directions:
    • Encourage investment in recycling infrastructure and standardized practices to enhance the circularity of materials.
    • Explore alternative materials, such as bioplastics, for potential long-term sustainability.

Benefits for iTUB tub rental customers

  • Easy handling on land and sea
  • Hygienic design
  • Excellent stacking strength
  • Less direct handling improves product quality
  • Reduced capital expenditures
  • Increased efficiency in handling and storage
  • Enhanced ability to react to peaks in demand
  • Fully recyclable and reusable packaging
  • Improved cash flow

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