Reusable food packaging solutions provider IFCO has announced a strategic collaboration with Rimi, a retailer operating in the Baltics, to drive sustainable change in the region's fresh grocery sector.

With the transition to IFCO's reusable plastic containers (RPCs), Rimi eliminates the use of the one-way cardboard boxes that previously serviced 95% of their fresh fruit and vegetable supply chain flows. It also removes the need to manage individual crate fleets with local growers.

The remaining 5% replaces rigid crates, further unifying the process, simplifying administration and delivering additional environmental and operational efficiencies in reverse logistics due to the collapsible nature of the IFCO crates.

Rimi is the first retailer in the Baltics to adopt RPCs for both import and export flows. It operates four chains and employs 12,000 people.

Rimi Baltic corporate responsibility and communications director Zanda Sadre commented: “The switch to sustainable packaging ensures that we are future-proofing our business, by already aligning with the upcoming EU [European Union] PPWR regulation.”

IFCO vice-president Daniel Schellenberg added: “With this collaboration, we have the opportunity to inspire positive change and pave the way for a greener supply chain in the Baltics.”

IFCO recently acquired BEPCO, a reusable packaging pooling company based in Tallinn, Estonia, further strengthening its presence in the region.