Returnable, washable packaging offers 40 per cent reduction in costs

PS, a company headed by two Scots that supplies and washes plastic sustainable crates to fish, poultry, fruit and vegetable suppliers, believes the aquaculture sector in Scotland can greatly reduce its carbon footprint through the use of returnable plastic boxes instead of single-use, polystyrene ones.

The message follows a PPS-commissioned study showing that the carbon footprint of the company's plastic crates was: 52 per cent smaller than single-use cardboard boxes, 89 per cent smaller than polystyrene boxes

"Businesses such as fish farms can transport their goods with reusable-boxes, crates and pallets," said PPS director, Iain McArthur.

"We deliver these products, collect them after delivery, wash them and then return them for another round of use.

"We have a solid track record and experience in the returnable crates sector. If the aquaculture industry ­and any fresh food producers for that matter in Scotland can be persuaded to switch from polystyrene to re-usable plastic crates it will benefit them financially and reduce their carbon footprint.

"Of that, there is no doubt and, as our report shows, switching to returnable packaging could result in a cost saving of around 40 per cent.

Edinburgh-registered PPS recently won its first contract involving a Grieg Seafood Hjaltland salmon farm.