Dole Food Company is set to expand the use of its recyclable Oxifilm® stretch film across its banana and pineapple operations in Latin America, aiming for greater sustainability in its supply chain. Beginning in late April 2025, the initiative will replace traditional palletizing materials, including corner boards, straps, and clamps, cutting down on plastic waste by 85%. This move is projected to save an additional 15,800 kg of plastic weekly, bringing the total plastic reduction to more than 27,000 kg across both fruit lines.
The innovation also enhances operational efficiency, automating part of the palletizing process, improving ergonomics for workers, and allowing them to focus more on quality control. Importantly, Oxifilm® maintains ventilation levels comparable to the traditional system, ensuring product integrity.
Since launching Oxifilm® in banana operations in June 2023 and in pineapples in August 2024, Dole has already seen notable reductions in plastic waste, with weekly savings of 2,200 kg in bananas and 5,280 kg in pineapples. This expansion will increase those figures significantly, with the company aiming to reduce 686,400 kg of palletizing material annually in 2025. Additional wrapping equipment is expected to arrive in packhouses across Guatemala and Ecuador in the second quarter of 2025.
The use of Oxifilm® aligns with Dole’s ongoing sustainability goals, offering a practical, recyclable alternative that supports both environmental and operational efficiency.