Continuous innovation and collaboration make floriculture logistics more sustainable
March 11, 2025
Every day, Royal FloraHolland focusses on making logistical processes and transport packaging in the floriculture industry more sustainable. In this first part of a two-part series, COO Leendert-Jan Plaisier explains more about the challenges and the steps already taken.
"What I love about logistics is that it is tangible," says Leendert-Jan. "By pushing the right buttons, we see an immediate effect. This also applies to making our logistics more sustainable. The initiative to enhance the sustainability of our logistics operations has significantly accelerated in recent years. We have been proactively implementing sustainable solutions without waiting for legislation to mandate it. That makes me proud."
Logistical standardisation: efficient and sustainable
"Traditionally, one of our spearheads has been logistical standardisation throughout the chain, both in terms of process and transport packaging,’ Leendert-Jan continues. "Our reusable, beige flower buckets are a familiar sight at markets and florists throughout Europe, and our plant trays can be found in many garden centres. Standardisation with this packaging allows for optimal use of load carriers such as rolleys and CC containers, resulting in a more efficient chain."
Moreover, using one or a few standard packaging types (such as buckets, boxes, and trays) for each product type enhances efficiency. Sustainability is a key focus area in this. "We are therefore continuously working with growers, buyers, our suppliers and other chain partners to make our transport packaging more sustainable."
More flowers per moment of transport
For example, as part of its sustainability efforts, Royal FloraHolland introduced new flower buckets that increase the loading capacity of trolleys by 11%. Leendert-Jan: "Previously, nine flower buckets would fit on a layer, we can now fit ten. That may not seem like much progress, but ultimately we are talking about the huge volumes we process every day."
If the chain can transport more flowers per moment of transport, this will directly contribute to lower costs per flower, a smaller carbon footprint and a more sustainable chain. "These kinds of developments are only possible through collaboration with growers, wholesalers, exporters and retailers. It is very important that they have a say and are aware of their own role in making the chain more sustainable."
Packaging legislation
With the new European packaging legislation (PPWR) coming into force 11 February 2025, we as a sector face a major challenge in the coming years. This legislation aims to reduce packaging waste. The single-use packaging that is still in use today, such as boxes and plant trays, will have to be replaced by reusable solutions in the chain. Leendert-Jan: "At Royal FloraHolland, we have been preparing for this for some time now by developing reusable boxes and trays. We are also working with other parties on the development of the Euro Plant Tray. This is how we can move forward together."
Reduction of packaging waste
"Reducing packaging waste is high on our agenda," Leendert-Jan continued. "Flower growers now use cardboard collars or plastic sleeves to protect their flowers and to help them stand out on the auction clock or in direct sales. In many cases, buyers then throw away the cardboard and plastic at their location before the flowers are distributed within and outside of Europe. They have made it known that they would like to make this more sustainable. We at Royal FloraHolland are helping with this, such as by developing a chain solution."
Reducing packaging waste requires awareness throughout the chain and close collaboration with all parties involved, taking into account different interests, emphasises Leendert-Jan: "Together with growers and buyers, we have critically examined where we can eliminate cardboard protective collars and plastic. One solution is the use of reusable support shelving. Fresco Flowers is one of the parties that now uses our new low, reusable rack for flower buckets."
"What I love about logistics is that it is tangible," says Leendert-Jan. "By pushing the right buttons, we see an immediate effect. This also applies to making our logistics more sustainable. The initiative to enhance the sustainability of our logistics operations has significantly accelerated in recent years. We have been proactively implementing sustainable solutions without waiting for legislation to mandate it. That makes me proud."
Logistical standardisation: efficient and sustainable
"Traditionally, one of our spearheads has been logistical standardisation throughout the chain, both in terms of process and transport packaging,’ Leendert-Jan continues. "Our reusable, beige flower buckets are a familiar sight at markets and florists throughout Europe, and our plant trays can be found in many garden centres. Standardisation with this packaging allows for optimal use of load carriers such as rolleys and CC containers, resulting in a more efficient chain."
Moreover, using one or a few standard packaging types (such as buckets, boxes, and trays) for each product type enhances efficiency. Sustainability is a key focus area in this. "We are therefore continuously working with growers, buyers, our suppliers and other chain partners to make our transport packaging more sustainable."
More flowers per moment of transport
For example, as part of its sustainability efforts, Royal FloraHolland introduced new flower buckets that increase the loading capacity of trolleys by 11%. Leendert-Jan: "Previously, nine flower buckets would fit on a layer, we can now fit ten. That may not seem like much progress, but ultimately we are talking about the huge volumes we process every day."
If the chain can transport more flowers per moment of transport, this will directly contribute to lower costs per flower, a smaller carbon footprint and a more sustainable chain. "These kinds of developments are only possible through collaboration with growers, wholesalers, exporters and retailers. It is very important that they have a say and are aware of their own role in making the chain more sustainable."
Packaging legislation
With the new European packaging legislation (PPWR) coming into force 11 February 2025, we as a sector face a major challenge in the coming years. This legislation aims to reduce packaging waste. The single-use packaging that is still in use today, such as boxes and plant trays, will have to be replaced by reusable solutions in the chain. Leendert-Jan: "At Royal FloraHolland, we have been preparing for this for some time now by developing reusable boxes and trays. We are also working with other parties on the development of the Euro Plant Tray. This is how we can move forward together."
Reduction of packaging waste
"Reducing packaging waste is high on our agenda," Leendert-Jan continued. "Flower growers now use cardboard collars or plastic sleeves to protect their flowers and to help them stand out on the auction clock or in direct sales. In many cases, buyers then throw away the cardboard and plastic at their location before the flowers are distributed within and outside of Europe. They have made it known that they would like to make this more sustainable. We at Royal FloraHolland are helping with this, such as by developing a chain solution."
Reducing packaging waste requires awareness throughout the chain and close collaboration with all parties involved, taking into account different interests, emphasises Leendert-Jan: "Together with growers and buyers, we have critically examined where we can eliminate cardboard protective collars and plastic. One solution is the use of reusable support shelving. Fresco Flowers is one of the parties that now uses our new low, reusable rack for flower buckets."
Returnable deposits for consumers?
For a reusable packaging pool to be effective, it is important that the items in the pool continuously rotate. "They need to be returned so that we can use them for a new rotation. To achieve this, you need a working system that motivates the user to return them. In this context, we have also considered a deposit system for consumers on plant trays, as is the case with plastic bottles and cans. However, this is more complex than it seems. A consumer usually only visits a garden centre a few times a year, which would be the most logical collection point. It then becomes very difficult to achieve sufficient rotation, and a lot of extra trays would be needed."
Trays and plastic plant pots would then also have to be stored at home for a longer period of time, to be returned on the next visit. "The question is: is this what consumers want? Are there more efficient alternatives for collection points, and how can we logistically arrange for the trays to be returned? These are broad issues, which we are discussing within Royal FloraHolland and with chain partners, but do not yet have answers to."
Recycling packaging
"When we introduce new reusable packaging, we recycle the old buckets and trays, which then become a raw material for new production," Leendert-Jan continues. "Our single-use plant trays are made of more than 95% recycled plastic. For our reusable packaging, that figure is around 30%, so there is room for improvement. Incidentally, more than 90% of our flowers are transported in the familiar beige reusable buckets. These buckets last for years - we recently found one from 1983!"
Royal FloraHolland's commitment to quality maintenance is a key factor in the longevity of their buckets. "For example, it is very important for the sector that we clean the flower buckets after each rotation in the chain to ensure that diseases don't have a chance to spread. Of course, cleaning requires water and energy, which is another area of focus for us in making our own process more sustainable. For example, we are committed to cleaning at increasingly lower temperatures,’ says the Chief Operational Officer, who believes strongly in the benefits of collaboration.
"By working closely with chain parties in the sector, we are making a difference towards increasingly sustainable logistics, I am 100% convinced of that. Even when it comes to questions which we cannot yet find a straightforward answer to."
Looking ahead to part 2
In the second part, Leendert-Jan will discuss the role that mechanisation and robotisation play in sustainable operations on Royal FloraHolland's logistics platform. He will also explain the necessity of peak absorption in view of shortages in the labour market and cost control.
For a reusable packaging pool to be effective, it is important that the items in the pool continuously rotate. "They need to be returned so that we can use them for a new rotation. To achieve this, you need a working system that motivates the user to return them. In this context, we have also considered a deposit system for consumers on plant trays, as is the case with plastic bottles and cans. However, this is more complex than it seems. A consumer usually only visits a garden centre a few times a year, which would be the most logical collection point. It then becomes very difficult to achieve sufficient rotation, and a lot of extra trays would be needed."
Trays and plastic plant pots would then also have to be stored at home for a longer period of time, to be returned on the next visit. "The question is: is this what consumers want? Are there more efficient alternatives for collection points, and how can we logistically arrange for the trays to be returned? These are broad issues, which we are discussing within Royal FloraHolland and with chain partners, but do not yet have answers to."
Recycling packaging
"When we introduce new reusable packaging, we recycle the old buckets and trays, which then become a raw material for new production," Leendert-Jan continues. "Our single-use plant trays are made of more than 95% recycled plastic. For our reusable packaging, that figure is around 30%, so there is room for improvement. Incidentally, more than 90% of our flowers are transported in the familiar beige reusable buckets. These buckets last for years - we recently found one from 1983!"
Royal FloraHolland's commitment to quality maintenance is a key factor in the longevity of their buckets. "For example, it is very important for the sector that we clean the flower buckets after each rotation in the chain to ensure that diseases don't have a chance to spread. Of course, cleaning requires water and energy, which is another area of focus for us in making our own process more sustainable. For example, we are committed to cleaning at increasingly lower temperatures,’ says the Chief Operational Officer, who believes strongly in the benefits of collaboration.
"By working closely with chain parties in the sector, we are making a difference towards increasingly sustainable logistics, I am 100% convinced of that. Even when it comes to questions which we cannot yet find a straightforward answer to."
Looking ahead to part 2
In the second part, Leendert-Jan will discuss the role that mechanisation and robotisation play in sustainable operations on Royal FloraHolland's logistics platform. He will also explain the necessity of peak absorption in view of shortages in the labour market and cost control.
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