CORAL GABLES, FL - Sustainability is more than a mindset—progress can only be achieved through action. The actions of Fyffes were recently recognized with the Certificate of Sustainability from solutions provider CHEP. The achievement was earned through Fyffes’ successful implementation of CHEP’s pooling method between July 2020 and June 2021.

“Over the last decade, we have significantly reduced our carbon footprint through different initiatives that support Fyffes Global Sustainability Strategy. One of these is the use of CHEP pallets, reused and recycled to transport millions of boxes of our fruit around the world,” mentioned Luis Anchia, Regional Manager of Materials and Procurement at Fyffes. "Obtaining the Certificate of Sustainability is a recognition that makes us proud and motivates us to continue working for a better future."

The pooling method, a press release noted, consists of reusing pallets throughout the supply chain, which decreases the consumption of materials such as wood, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and sustains the development of the share and reuse industry.

Fyffes’ implementation of this method helped the two organizations achieve the following savings in the operations of bananas, pineapples, and melons:

• 399,944 dm3 of wood
• 3,422,543 kg of greenhouse gas emissions
• 321,358 kg of waste

An environmental impact study was derived from the use of CHEP pallets compared to market alternatives to determine this recognition. CHEP uses specific software to perform a Life Cycle Analysis of its products, which considers materials’ environmental impact following the methodology of the ISO-14044 standard to certify their quality and ensure they have the lowest environmental impact possible. During the last two years, CHEP has delivered more than 25 certificates in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Mexico based on the results of its Life Cycle Analysis.

“As strategic allies of Fyffes, it is a great satisfaction for us to see the progress made in key countries and regions throughout Latin America. We hope that this positive collaboration will continue to be successful for many years to come, along with the continued strengthening of our commitment to positively impact our planet,” said Erick Pinot, Central America Country Manager and Commercial Director Mexico at CHEP.

Back in 2016, Fyffes first began using CHEP pallets to transport melons from Honduras and Guatemala to North America and bananas from Costa Rica to Europe. The success led Fyffes to expand the use of CHEP pallets further in Central America, the United States, and Europe, and the company recently added Colombia and Guatemala to the list. Since 2019, 100 percent of the melons sent to North America are transported on CHEP pallets.

We hope to see many more news updates from these two sustainability champions.

Fyffes CHEP