Florida-based IFCO, a manufacturer of reusable packaging containers, plans to open another warehouse in Mesquite.
The $4.5 million project is a “new tenant improvement” at the 240,000-square-foot property on Military Parkway, according to a state filing. Construction is scheduled to begin in May and delivery is expected in September.
Headquartered in Tampa, IFCO uses its packaging system to preserve fresh grocery products, including eggs, meat, fish, and other items, to create more sustainability in the market.
“With over 70 models and counting, our display-ready reusable packaging containers (RPCs) come in a wide range of sizes and can safely transport fresh fruit and vegetables, meat, fish and seafood, eggs, baked goods, and deli and convenience products,” according to the company’s website.
Single-use packaging contributes to waste at a “staggering” scale globally, an IFCO press release shows.
“Today, our throwaway culture produces around 400 million tons of plastic waste every year. The United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) estimates that approximately 85% of all single-use packaging ends up as waste in landfills and in our natural environment. The full impact of this on human and planet health remains unclear, but it’s not good.”
That is why the United Nations Environmental Assembly wants to introduce a treaty to stop plastic pollution.
“The negotiators should feel encouraged in their goals by the positive conclusions of a study by UNEP, titled Turning off the Tap: How the world can end plastic pollution and create a circular economy,” according to the IFCO press release. “Its authors argue that it will be possible to reduce global plastic pollution by over 80% by 2040. But this will require a rethink in many industries and an integrated approach to restrict single-use packaging, promote reusable packaging, and strengthen single-use packaging waste legislation in general.”
IFCO’s retail partners include Walmart, Whole Foods, Kroger, Aldi, Sprouts Farmers Market, Hello Fresh, and dozens of other companies. The container company operates offices in San Antonio, as well as in Georgia, Oregon, Indiana, Pennsylvania, and California. It employs more than 1,755 employees worldwide. Its other Mesquite warehouse is on Big Town Boulevard.