JTC Plastic Crates – Best for Agricultural Use in Sri Lanka

Using plastic crates for the agricultural industry has many benefits especially in the case of Sri Lanka. The adoption of plastic crates for the harvesting, transportation and storage of locally grown produce leads to cutting down of wastage of damaged produce and has many health benefits too. Plastic crates are also safer to use, are cost effective and can be reused many times. JTC produces the best quality plastic crates in a wide range of choices, available for delivery all across Sri Lanka.

CUTTING DOWN WASTAGE

Plastic crates are a must for the Sri Lankan agricultural industry as according to the Ministry of Agriculture about 25% to 40% of locally grown vegetables and fruits are damaged when they are not packed properly during harvesting, transporting and storage. Local farmers in Sri Lanka traditionally use woven(gunny) bags to transport locally grown produce to the market which results in a large amount of agricultural produce being wasted.

As per the current situation in the country with the news of upcoming food shortages, JTC strongly promotes the usage of plastic crates for the transportation of agriculture. This is because plastic crates reduce bruising, crushing, and other post-harvest losses of fresh fruits and vegetables that might happen when product is transferred. Compared to cardboard or wood containers, which can also absorb product moisture, plastic containers are less fragile.

Research was conducted regarding the cost-benefit of using crates as opposed to traditional baskets or woven bags. To compare the advantages of using plastic crates vs woven baskets for the transportation of tomatoes in Rwanda, researchers working on this project conducted a cost-benefit analysis. Post-harvest losses were minimized by using crates from 40% with woven bags to 5% with crates. The average lifespan of woven bags is two uses, however the plastic crates have a longer lifespan. The plastic crate‘s purchase price would be recovered in full after just one use.

The researchers also compared the use of plastic crates to the use of traditional baskets in a cost-benefit analysis also focused on tomatoes. The crates reduced post harvest transportation losses from 30 percent with traditional baskets down to 5 percent with plastic crates. The cost for the crates would be fully repaid after just one use.

HEALTH BENEFITS

Plastic crates are essential to the agricultural sector since they make transportation clean and effective. Due to the resistance of plastic crates to the growth of fungi within them, they make ideal substitutes for their conventional wooden and cardboard counterparts. As a result, plastic crates and bins are frequently chosen to transport agricultural products on a big scale, along with soil and seeds. Furthermore, plastic boxes are resistant to severe weather, which helps with the safe delivery of perishable agricultural goods. Because of the nature of the items transported in the agro-industry, extra care must be taken to maintain hygienic standards. The use of plastic as a component makes the supply and transportation of these goods more effective.

SAFETY

Handling the plastic crates requires solid, long-lasting handles free of splinters or nails. This makes plastic crates superior to cardboard, which lacks durability, and superior to wooden crates, which pose a risk of injury when handled by humans or when products are damaged by nails.

COST EFFECTIVE

Plastic crates can be reused for less money than new ones. It does away with the need to buy limitless quantities of cardboards, which have a very short lifespan, as well as hardwood crates, which have a longer lifespan but still cost 15 times as much as plastic crates. The empty plastic crates are nestled inside of one another, taking up less room and weighing less during transportation, saving money on return distribution. The cost of the containers is frequently what dictates whether to transport perishable items in reusable plastic crates or disposable cardboard boxes. However, this is false: The actual cost might increase by up to four times when associated expenses like packing, shipping, and storage are taken into account.

REUSE & RECYCLE

Reusing plastic crates helps decrease global warming by decreasing the need for cutting down trees to make wooden or cardboard boxes.

Particularly in nations with scarce resources, recyclable plastic crates help minimize rising disposal costs.

We, JTC, offer all types of plastic crates, especially for usage in the agricultural industry. Visit our website and browse through our extensive range of plastic crates!