The accolade, for an “extended folding large container”, was received in the environmental improvement category of the Packaging Industry Awards 2001. The container is used to pack and transport Ford’s Focus components and has removed large quantities of packaging material from the waste stream. Linpac and Ford beat off competition from Safeway and Sainsbury’s.
Rodney Salmon, manager of Linpac’s automotive business unit, said: “We are proud to have scooped this prestigious award. Linpac is committed to developing innovative returnable packaging solutions which remove packaging waste across a wide range of industries.”
Linpac produced the container in a response to Ford’s desire to eliminate one-trip packaging and waste packaging materials from its supply chain. The plastic folding container has reusable internal fittings and is used to accommodate oversize trim parts. These were previously packaged in a combination of wood, cardboard, polystyrene and plastic bags which were discarded after each trip.
Bruce Swift, vice president purchasing, Ford of Europe, said: “We are an environmentally focused organisation which is committed to removing packaging waste from the environment, but is also enjoying the ergonomic, logistical and “total cost” economic advantages that a move to reusable packaging brings.”
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