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Welcome the new European Industry Standard of Plant Trays.

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You too can position yourself in terms of sustainability and European cooperation!

Become a partner

Euro Plant Tray

Improving together for more sustainabilty - this is certainly how the goal of the Euro Plant Tray System could be summarised. Since 2021, companies and associations from the European Green Sector have been working together to develop criteria for the design and handling of reusable plant trays.

Unique in Europe, the various green supply chain professionals are working together for a standardised industry solution, not only realising their goal of reducing plastic waste through the use of reusable trays, but also opening up new opportunities in process automation and supply chain efficiency. 

From 2024, the Euro Plant Tray will be available for supplies from the producer via wholesalers to garden centres, DIY stores, the retail trade.

Reusable vs. Disposable

Ecological advantages

More than 95 per cent of plant trays are currently on the market as disposable solutions (Weschnowsky 2021; Deutsche Umwelthilfe e.V. 2021). Deutsche Umwelthilfe estimates that the annual amount of waste generated by the use of disposable plant trays is around 150 million trays in Germany alone, which corresponds to approx. 21 million kilograms (Deutsche Umwelthilfe e.V. 2021). 

A study by the Fraunhofer Institute for Material Flow and Logistics/Dortmund in cooperation with the Fraunhofer Institute for Environmental, Safety and Energy Technology/Oberhausen found that reusable plant trays have a cumulative energy input that is about 25 percent lower and thus better than that of disposable trays.

About the study

40,000 t 

less plastic waste across Europe.

Comparable to 220,000 t CO2 eq/year 

Economic advantages

The intended tax on single-use plastic as well as the CO tax within the various European countries resulting from the Green Deal agreement adopted by all EU countries - will be an additional cost disadvantage in the future. The Taxonomy Regulation also leads to a shift of financial flows towards companies that operate sustainably.  The Euro Plant Tray is not only an environmentally sustainable solution, but also ultimately holds a cost advantage in itself.

  • Complying with the EU Packaging Directives
  • Adding value throughout the supply chain
  •  Independence from the raw material market

Milestones

08/22
Foundation of Euro Plant Tray eG

On 23 August 2022 Euro Plant Tray eG was founded in Cologne.

01/23
Launch of the EPT Test Trays

At the IPM in Essen, Euro Plant Tray eG presents the newly developed trays to the trade public with much positive feedback. 

01/24
Market launch

You can now order  EPT 400 Trays for delivery as of summer 2024. Get ready to maximize your waste reduction!

Partner

Helmut Rödiger
Head of Buying Garden
BAUHAUS

"We are proud to be a co-initiator of an industry-wide reusable system that makes it possible to demonstrably reduce plastic waste significantly and thus actively make a sustainable contribution in terms of the circular economy."

Thomas Fischer
Director Circular Economy
Deutsche Umwelthilfe e.V.

"DUH clearly demonstrated the importance of ecological solutions in horticulture at a symposium in 2021. We are therefore very pleased to see that EPT is following this path, which is necessary for climate protection and waste avoidance, and is implementing reusable packaging as a European industry solution. We very much welcome the decision of the industry participants and can only appeal to all market participants to follow this path."

Jens Oldenburg
Managing Director
STIFTUNG INITIATIVE MEHRWEG

"As a European industry solution, Euro Plant Tray eG is an absolute beacon for the idea of reusable packaging. In view of growing mountains of waste and a looming climate catastrophe, this commitment from the Green Sector for a sustainable use of resources is exemplary. I very much hope that other market participants will also join this initiative."

Matthijs Mesken
Managing Director
VGB

"VGB, as the representative of Dutch wholesalers, is a member of Euro Plant Tray eG as we are convinced that we have to work together across Europe for a clear positioning on sustainability. This is the only way we can break the flow of plastic waste and work responsibly towards a green future."

Werner Thielen
Managing Director
Intermarkt Thielen

"We are pleased that we, as a plant system logistics provider and sought-after partner, can help develop the supply chain between the producers and the sales outlets throughout Europe for an industry-wide reusable system."

Christian Müller
Managing Director
Mvb Plants Worldwide

"Being part of the decision-makers in this project is very close to our hearts. Only in a large community can we take the right steps for more sustainability in the future."

Jutta Lehmann
Group Purchasing Manager Garden
HORNBACH Baumarkt AG

"We are a sustainable company, so it was clear to us from the very beginning that we want to be actively involved in an industry-wide reusable system to significantly reduce plastic waste. For me it is also a matter close to my heart to actively participate."

Georg Weber
CEO
Dehner Holding

"Inherently inspiring – Dehner can only fulfil this promise if we also take special care of nature. By joining Euro Plant Tray eG, we are taking a big step closer to this goal. Together with our alliance partners, we want to actively participate in the development of a reusable system that makes plant sales more sustainable and resource-efficient."

Martin Engler
Managing Director
EPS GmbH

"We are pleased to be part of the industry's path towards a standard reusable system. It is quite clear to us that the future must belong to reusable systems. It is essential to walk this path with many other market participants. The opportunity for the green sector to bring the issue of reusable packaging to the finish line has never been so realistic before."

Timo Huwer
Management spokesman
Globus Fachmärkte

"With our participation in this initiative, we want to significantly reduce single-use plastic waste. The responsible use of resources and environmental protection are of utmost concern for us. Corresponding measures are implemented as part of our sustainability strategy."

Dr. Peter O. Wüst
Managing Director, 
BHB - Handelsverband Heimwerken, Bauen und Garten e.V.

"A contemporary answer to a real environmental issue is: Euro Plant Tray eG. The DIY and garden center sector has joined forces with the BHB and is working intensively to move away from single-use waste. The next steps in EPT are clear and I am looking forward to its progress towards European and nationwide implementation."

Felix Thun-Hohenstein
Managing Director
Bellaflora

"Sustainability concerns us all and together we can achieve much more. As the green number 1 with nature, bellaflora has long been committed to sustainable gardening. The introduction of reusable trays is the next essential step in environmental protection. We are pleased to be able to effect change on an international level together with our project partners."

Marc Goudzwaard
Manager Supply Chain & Logistic Means
Royal FloraHolland

"Royal FloraHolland has decided to join Euro Plant Tray eG in order to contribute with our expertise and experience to the introduction of a functioning reusable pool system. We are at the beginning of the transition from single-use plant trays to reusable trays with the aim of a sustainable supply chain in horticulture. It is important for us to represent the interests of our members in the development of this new European industry standard." 

Hans-Gerd Cox
Managing Director
Gebrüder Cox GmbH

"Euro Plant Tray represents a collaborative solution for the whole industry, not another isolated stand-alone solution. We feel responsible and want to make our contribution to sustainability and plastic savings within the cooperative and thus actively collaborate with our producers and customers."

Michiel de Haan
Managing Director (until Ocotober 2023)
Royal Lemkes

"From the beginning of EPT we have supported the initiative  via the VGB as Dutch Accelerators as it supports Royal Lemkes’ dream towards “Positive Plants” which includes drastically reducing singular plastics towards a circular sector."

Benoit Strauven
Managing Director
Floréac

"Joining this EPT initiative is evident for Floréac, due to our intrinsic motivation to make the world a better place. We count on all sector partners to make this transition to a sustainable sector."

Johannes Kronenberg
Managing Director
Landgard Blumen und Pflanzen

"Landgard has joined Euro Plant Tray eG to support the further development towards an industry-wide reusable tray system. We have been in close contact with Euro Plant Tray eG and the previous working groups from the beginning, so we are now taking this step to support a joint industry solution. As part of Euro Plant Tray eG, Landgard will play an active role in shaping the development and will also contribute existing know-how from its intensive involvement with the topic of reusable trays."

Steffen Vahldiek
Boardmember
Vahldiek AG

"In the future, there will be no way around sustainability, consequently we also want to contribute to the protection of our environmental and join in order to make the green industry more sustainable. The best way to achieve results is doing this together, just like the Euro Plant Tray team is tackling this."

Gudmund Baustad
CEO
AS Blomsterringen Engros

As the first Scandinavian partner, Blomsterringen will contribute together with leading European partners in Euro Plant Tray eG to standardize a system for reusing trays. This will contribute to a significant reduction in the use of disposable plastic trays, which significantly saves the environment and resource use.

Peter Pohl
Boardmember
Sagaflor

"We are proud to be a part of Euro Plant Tray. Sustainability is one of three core focus points of our corporate culture. Thus, it was clear to us from the very beginning to contribute actively tomake  the green industry more climate-friendly through a Europe-wide reusable system. This is a responsibility we have towards ourselves and we are happy to take part in this."

News

Becoming a Partner at Euro Plant Tray

Be part of the Euro Plant Tray family and help shape the future of plant cultivation! Become a member and discover exclusive benefits, innovative solutions and a vibrant community. Together we turn ideas into growth.

Become a Partner

Contact
Would you also like to position yourself cleary for more sustainability? Please contact us for further information.

Euro Plant Tray eG
Taubenstr. 26
10117 Berlin

info@europlanttray.com

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