Reusable and single-use packaging in fresh fruit distribution: thresholds of environmental convenience from an LCA perspective

This study presents a comparative Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of four packaging systems used in the Italian fresh fruit supply chain: single-use polypropylene (PP) crates, reusable collapsible PP crates, expanded polystyrene (EPS) crates, and corrugated cardboard crates. The assessment was carried out according to ISO 14040 and ISO 14044 standards, considering production, transport, reverse logistics, washing operations, and end-of-life management. Results show that reusable PP crates represent the most environmentally favourable option, achieving substantial reductions in impacts related to human health, ecosystem quality, and resource scarcity compared with single-use alternatives. Sensitivity analyses were performed to evaluate the influence of reuse cycles and transport distances, identifying the threshold conditions under which reusable systems maintain their environmental advantages. The findings support the principles of the European waste hierarchy and highlight the strategic role of reusable packaging systems in promoting circular economy practices within fresh fruit distribution.