Europe’s salmon industry ships over 2 million tonnes of fish each year, mostly in single-use expanded polystyrene (EPS) boxes[1]. EPS boxes have been the go-to for decades due to their light weight and insulation, but their single-use nature brings mounting environmental costs and disposal challenges. Twin Tubs offer a smarter, greener logistics solution – not to replace EPS, but to complement it[2]. By integrating reusable Twin Tubs alongside existing EPS packaging, producers can dramatically cut plastic waste[3] and carbon emissions[4] without sacrificing the proven benefits of foam boxes.
Key Benefits of Twin Tubs vs. EPS
- Up to 80% Lower CO₂ Emissions: An independent life-cycle assessment found that moving salmon in Twin Tubs emits ~80% less CO₂ compared to EPS boxes over the full usage cycle[4]. After ~50 reuses, tubs achieve roughly 72–90% lower carbon footprint than one-way packaging – a major climate win[5].
- 25–50% Cost Savings: Early adopters report significant packaging and transport cost reductions by adding Twin Tubs. In some processing plants, using tubs cut total packaging logistics costs by ~50%[6]. Even under typical conditions, analyses project 20–30% cost savings over time for companies that deploy tubs in their supply chain[7]. The efficiency gains (see below) mean more fish per shipment and lower cost per kg
- ~98% Less Virgin Plastic: Each Twin Tub is reusable for years, drastically reducing plastic consumption. Over 15 years, an all-tub system would use only ~20,000 tonnes of virgin plastic versus >1,000,000 tonnes for equivalent EPS boxes[3] – a 97–98% reduction in new plastic. One robust Twin Tub can replace about 1,800 single-use EPS boxes over its lifespan[7], eliminating piles of waste.
- Long Lifespan (12–15 Years): Twin Tubs are built to last. Each tub can be used for 12–15 years (hundreds of rotations) before recycling[8]. This durability translates to thousands of trips and many tonnes of fish moved per tub, maximising resource efficiency. In contrast, EPS boxes are discarded after a single use.
- No Quality Trade-offs: Crucially, using Twin Tubs does not compromise fish quality. In trials, salmon transported in tubs arrived in equivalent condition and yield as those in EPS[9]. Tubs are engineered for hygiene and temperature stability, preserving freshness every step of the way[10].
By the Numbers – Efficiency Boost: A standard 40-foot container can hold ~13.3 tonnes of salmon in EPS boxes, but about 20 tonnes in Twin Tubs[11]. That’s a 50% increase in payload – translating to fewer trucks and ~49% lower cost per kg of fish transported[11]. In short, each reusable tub lets you ship more fish with less plastic, less CO₂, and lower cost per unit.
Proof of Concept: Successful Adoption in Iceland & Scotland
Real-world use shows that Twin Tubs and EPS boxes work side by side effectively:
- Arctic Fish’s Drimla Facility (Iceland): At Arctic Fish’s cutting-edge processing plant in Drimla, Westfjords, Twin Tubs have been deployed in parallel with EPS packaging. The system has run successfully, demonstrating that reusable tubs can slot into existing operations without disruption[12]. Crucially, Arctic Fish’s year-long trial found no difference in fish quality or fillet yield between EPS and Twin Tub shipments[9], while seeing benefits in handling and waste reduction.
- MOWI Fort William (Scotland): Mowi’s flagship Blar Mhor processing facility in Fort William – one of the UK’s largest salmon plants – now operates tubs alongside traditional foam boxes as well[13]. This parallel use at scale further proves the concept: Mowi and other Scottish processors (e.g. Scottish Sea Farms) report up to 50% lower packaging and transport costs after integrating tubs[6]. The fact that global salmon leaders like Mowi are embracing Twin Tubs underscores their confidence in this solution’s practicality and benefits.
These early adopters illustrate that the Twin Tub system works in the field – maintaining product quality and streamlining workflow, all while cutting waste and cost. The success in Iceland and Scotland paves the way for broader industry uptake.
How the Circular Twin Tub System Works
The Twin Tub model is a circular rental system designed for ease and sustainability. It works as follows:
- Rent & Deliver: Salmon producers and processors simply rent the Twin Tubs from the service provider instead of buying them[14]. Tubs are delivered to the farm or processing site as needed, with no capital expenditure – making them accessible and scalable on demand.
- Pack & Ship: Freshly harvested salmon (head-on gutted) are packed into the durable, insulated Twin Tubs (with ice or slurry as required) and shipped out to processing plants across Europe. The tubs are robust and hygienic, ensuring fish quality is preserved during transit just as well as in EPS boxes[10]. They are stackable and easy to handle, optimising space in trucks and cold stores.
- Unload & Clean: Upon arrival, salmon are unloaded for processing as usual. The now-empty tubs are then promptly washed, disinfected, and inspected at the facility or a nearby service center[15]. Each tub is designed for quick cleaning and turn-around.
- Repair & Return: Any tub showing wear is repaired, and all cleaned tubs are sent back into circulation for the next cycle[16]. The provider’s support team handles maintenance and quality control, so that every tub returned to service meets strict hygiene and safety standards. Advanced tracking (e.g. RFID) is used to monitor tub location and usage[14].
- Recycle at End of Life: After 12–15 years of heavy use, a Twin Tub is retired and fully recycled[14]. The plastic material is reclaimed to produce new tubs, closing the loop. Virtually no tub material goes to landfill. This circular approach means the same material keeps working for decades, unlike single-use EPS which immediately becomes waste.
Overall, the Twin Tub system operates as a closed-loop rental service: you get the tubs when and where you need them, and the provider manages the cleaning, repairs, logistics, and recycling. This takes the burden off producers to deal with used packaging disposal, while unlocking efficiencies in the supply chain.
Aligned with EU & UK Sustainability Goals
Moving to reusable Twin Tubs isn’t just good for business – it also keeps salmon logistics in step with emerging environmental regulations and market demands in Europe. Policymakers and consumers alike are driving change:
- EU Plastics Crackdown: The European Union is aggressively targeting single-use plastics. Under the EU’s Single-Use Plastics Directive (2019), certain throwaway plastic items are being banned or phased out. Notably, the rules ban food and beverage containers made of expanded polystyrene (EPS) in situations where sustainable alternatives exist[17]. While EPS fish boxes have not been completely outlawed yet, the clear direction is to reduce dependency on single-use packaging. Reusable Twin Tubs offer an immediate way to align with this push towards circular, low-waste packaging solutions.
- UK Retailer & Supply Chain Pressure: In the UK, major retailers are demanding lower-plastic, lower-carbon packaging from their seafood suppliers. British supermarket chains and foodservice buyers have already pressed salmon producers to adopt reusable packaging over foam boxes[18]. This has set off a chain reaction across the industry. Embracing Twin Tubs now positions producers to meet customer sustainability expectations and even gain a competitive edge as a forward-thinking supplier. Furthermore, using lighter, space-efficient tubs can help cut down on transport emissions, contributing to companies’ carbon-reduction targets in logistics.
In short, the Twin Tub + EPS combo is future-proofing. It helps salmon exporters stay ahead of regulations aimed at curbing single-use plastics, and it supports the broader climate goal of decarbonising freight. Adopting such innovations signals to regulators, investors, and buyers that your company is proactively reducing waste and emissions in line with EU Green Deal ambitions and the UK’s net-zero commitments.
Ready for Smarter, Greener Logistics – A Call to Action
The salmon industry’s packaging paradigm is changing. Now is the time to rethink the box and add Twin Tubs alongside your current EPS setup[19]. This isn’t about throwing out what already works – EPS isn’t going away, and it will remain useful for certain routes – but by integrating Twin Tubs you can make every shipment smarter, cleaner, and more cost-efficient[19]. The Twin Tub system has proven its value in real operations and is fully scalable for wider use[20]. Industry leaders like Arctic Fish and Mowi are already on board, piloting this solution and reaping the benefits. You can be part of this sustainable logistics revolution, too[21].
By embracing Twin Tubs as a complement to EPS, you take a proactive step toward lowering your carbon footprint, reducing plastic waste, and saving money – all while delivering the same high-quality product to your customers. It’s a rare win-win opportunity for both profitability and sustainability.
Join the movement today: start with a trial run of Twin Tubs in your supply chain, see the results for yourself, and scale up from there. By adding reusable Twin Tubs to your logistics toolkit, you’ll help future-proof your operations and lead the salmon industry into a smarter, more circular future. The Salmon Solution is here – it’s tested, it’s practical, and it’s the future of fish transport. Let’s reduce plastic, cut emissions, and boost efficiency – together[21].
[1] [2] [3] [4] [7] [15] [16] [19] [20] [21] 97% Less Plastic: The Twin Tub Revolution in Salmon Transport – iTub Rental
https://itub-rental.com/he-salmon-solution-reinventing-salmon-transport-for-a-sustainable-future/
[5] [6] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [18] Beyond the Box: The Salmon Transport Revolution – iTub Rental
https://itub-rental.com/beyond-the-box-the-salmon-transport-revolution/
[17] Single-use plastics – European Commission
https://environment.ec.europa.eu/topics/plastics/single-use-plastics_en
