IFCO European Lift Lock reusable packaging containers (RPCs) have been recertified with Cradle to Cradle Certified® Full Scope Silver under the Version 4.1 standard. The recertification confirms that the RPCs continue to meet requirements for material health, product circularity, clean air and climate protection, water and soil stewardship, and social fairness. They remain the only fresh produce reusable crates to hold this Full Scope Silver certification.
In addition, the Lift Lock RPCs achieved Silver certification for both Circularity and Material Health. Together, the three certifications provide third-party verification of the sustainability, health, and circularity of IFCO’s SmartCycle model.
© IFCO
The recertification follows recent Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) studies, which found that IFCO reusable packaging containers generated lower greenhouse gas emissions, reduced water use, and less solid waste than single-use packaging.
IFCO first received Cradle to Cradle Certified Silver for its European Lift Lock RPCs in 2021 and renewed the certification in 2023. The 2026 recertification was completed under the updated Version 4.1 standard.
“Retailers and producers want independent verification in the areas that matter most to them: material health and circularity,” says Iñigo Canalejo, Chief Sustainability Officer and VP, Strategic Marketing. “That is why we pursued the C2C Certified Material Health and Circularity certificates alongside our Full Scope certification: we aim at strengthening the transparency and verification of specific performance areas within the IFCO SmartCycle model.”
The Cradle to Cradle Certified Products Program assesses products across multiple sustainability categories, including material composition, production, product use, recycling, climate, water, soil, circularity, and social responsibility.
Canalejo says the latest recertification was completed under stricter requirements than previous versions of the standard.
“The program is always pushing for true sustainability and circularity that works in practice across the board, not just on paper. That mission resonates with us. We’re proud of our certification, and we also see it as a challenge to keep improving our portfolio of reusable packaging and upgrading our services.”
According to IFCO, the certification provides retailers and producers with third-party verification of its closed-loop share, reuse, and recycling system for reusable fresh produce crates.
© IFCOFor more information:
IFCO Systems
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