Replacing polystyrene fish boxes with a more sustainable solution
Fish wholesalers Bröderna Hanssons show the fish industry how sustainability and automation benefit both business and customers.
A journey towards sustainability
For fish wholesalers Bröderna Hanssons, the sea is their livelihood. People have been enjoying fish and shellfish from them since 1880. To ensure future generations can enjoy delicacies from the sea, Bröderna Hanssons focus not only on the fish, but also on sustainability.
One step in taking better care of the sea was to replace the polystyrene box with a fiber-based fish box made of corrugated board.
The challenge: Replacing polystyrene
Bröderna Hanssons care about the climate, and are constantly looking for more eco-friendly ways of producing and distributing.
Products are closely stacked to make sure that as few trucks as possible are needed. They’re always working to shorten transportation routes, and have upgraded equipment to that pack fish in a more sustainable way. They’re also striving to reduce the use of plastic.
The industry's wide use of polystyrene boxes remained a challenge for Bröderna Hanssons
Daniel Thunberg
Head of marketing Bröderna Hanssons
“We want to take responsibility for fish and shellfish production, in order to preserve the ecosystem and make sure that future generations can enjoy the fruits of the sea too. And we welcome our customers and partners to join us.”
The solution: EcoFishBox
Made from up to 95% renewable materials, climate-friendly and leak proof - EcoFishBox provided the ideal solution towards achieving greater sustainability.
Customer demand shaped their decision
Daniel Thunberg
Head of Marketing
Bröderna Hanssons
The grocery trade is constantly working to reduce the use of plastic throughout the value chain. Many of Bröderna Hanssons’ customers have trouble dealing with all the waste and no longer accept polystyrene.
“We were forced to find a different solution with the same properties as polystyrene. We needed a box that maintains moisture and temperature well, but is also made of a material that makes handling and recycling easier for our customers. EcoFishBox meets all these demands, so it was an easy choice.”
Automated packing machines save time
Automated folding machines for the boxes and automated ice packing save even more time for employees.
Tray erector & IcePacker
The complete EcoFishBox solutions includes automated packaging machines that adds efficiency. Meaning quicker packing times and greater hygiene. A tray erector quickly builds the packaging, and an IcePacker creates waterproof ice bags added to the box.
Automated folding machines for the boxes and automated ice packing save even more time for employees.
Less time handling packaging
For both Bröderna Hanssons and their customers
Daniel Thunberg
Head of marketing Bröderna Hanssons
“We used to get big deliveries of polystyrene boxes, which kept half or sometimes all of our staff busy receiving them, carrying them in and finding space. Now the boxes come directly into our packing stations, right where we need them.”
“The customers are happy as it’s easier for them to handle and store their seafood products. Also, the boxes are easy to recycle and have better durability than the polystyrene ones. If a polystyrene box gets too heavy it can break, while a corrugated board can take the weight. We are of course happy too, and I’m convinced that this could be a good solution for everyone in the industry.”
Bröderna Hanssons can now also have more pallets of boxes delivered at once, because EcoFishBox takes up less space since it’s delivered flat rather than ready-folded.
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