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Colourful plastic crates stacked on top of each other

ISF conducted a comparative study on behalf of CHEP, a global leader in sustainably moving goods, to quantify the true cost of single-use cardboard cartons/boxes (SCCs) versus reusable plastic crates (RPCs), with a focus on fresh produce. The true direct economic cost considers all costs along the supply chain, rather than simply unit and disposal cost.

Through taking a full economic approach – considering all hidden costs such as labour, fuel, and waste disposal – ISF was able to establish that it would be highly cost-efficient to switch from single use cartons to reusable crates. A number of cost-saving opportunities across the supply chain were established, including lower labour, shipping, and disposal costs, reduced product damage, and fewer workers compensation claims due to better ergonomic design. These savings outweighed the increased costs in other logistical aspects of reusable crates.

ISFs contribution to the project was invaluable since no other peer reviewed study had adopted a comparative economic cost approach across the full supply chain before.

RESEARCH OUTPUTS

 

The true cost of cardboard cartons (2021) (Report)

Researchers

Year

  • 2019

Location

  • Australia

Client

  • CHEP

Services and capabilities

Outline the world with magnifying glass and dollar sign in the middle

Economic assessment

SDGs  

Icon for SDG 12 Responsible consumption and production

This project is working towards UN Sustainable Development Goal 12.

Read about ISF's SDG work

Contact us

t: +61 2 9514 4950
e: isf@uts.edu.au

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