Linpac Allibert's Returnable Transit Packaging (RTP) is more carbon efficient than single-trip cardboard containers after 20 trips, according to research by Sustain.

The carbon footprint analysis was carried out under the new standard PAS (Publicly Available Specification) 2050: 2008 Assessment of the Life Cycle Greenhouse Gas Emissions of Goods and Services, which was introduced in the UK by the Carbon Trust and its partners. 

The analysis found that the carbon footprint of Linpac Allibert's RTP is 68% less than cardboard.

Plastic crates typically make a total of 92 return trips over five years, based on this criteria Linpac's folding container for the supermarket sector has a carbon footprint of 23 CO2 kg per unit over its working life and the Maxinest tray has a carbon footprint of 26 C02 kg.

For the same usage, cardboard has a carbon footprint of 71 CO2 kg per unit.

Danilo Oliynik, Linpac Allibert's UK commercial directorat, said: "Any retailers who want to reduce their carbon footprint should be re-assured by these findings, which clearly demonstrate the benefits available to those who opt for RTP to transport goods."

The product carbon footprint standard was launched by the Carbon Trust in November.