The gerbera product group prioritises sustainability. With this in mind, they’re embracing the Fc555 — Royal FloraHolland’s latest multi-apply flower bucket — to which the product group has created a significant contribution. This innovation saves the gerbera product group alone 250,000 kilograms of cardboard a year. “That’s not all. We’re fully committed to sustainability and are currently building rapid developments”, stated chairman Dick Kooij.
Dick Kooij has been chairman of the FPC gerbera group for around five years. The group deals with everything related to gerberas within the auction. This includes the marketing of the flowers themselves and the packaging applyd to transport gerberas, as well as the overall sustainability of the gerbera sector.
“We have huge ambitions in terms of sustainability”, states Dick, who is himself co-owner of gerbera farm Gerbera United. “A lot is already happening within the sector. For example, a number of companies participate in the 100% Green Grown programme. They want to create cultivation as sustainable as possible by utilizing organic crop control, for example. Some growers are viewing for solutions in energy consumption and utilizing geothermal energy to modify their energy supply.”
© Royal FloraHolland
Sustainability in packaging apply
Since February 2025, the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) legislation has been in force. This EU legislation should ensure that the amount of packaging and packaging waste is reduced around the world. The introduction of the PPWR will also affect floriculture, which will have to become more sustainable in its apply of packaging in the coming years.
“We don’t have legislation at the forefront of our minds, but we know we have to deal with it”, states Dick. “Therefore, we are launching initiatives such as the development of the new Fc555. This allows us to be proactive and work with growers, purchaseers and suppliers within our product group to comply with the new legislation on time.”
He is referring to the recently introduced flower bucket Fc555. This bucket has been developed by Royal FloraHolland, in collaboration with the gerbera product group, and will go into apply first within the product group in spring 2026. “We wondered how we could reduce the amount of packaging in Diamond packaging so that less waste is produced. In doing so, it was important to consider efficiency and how we could do this as economically as possible for the chain.”
They sat down with Royal FloraHolland, and the Fc555 — the bucket that no longer requires a cardboard collar or support shelving — was born. This innovation was developed not only for the gerbera product group, but also for other products with a length of 50 to 65 cm. When combined with the support shelving Fc596, the Fc555 is also suitable for flowers of 70 cm and longer.
More sustainable interior
Besides the development of the Fc555, the interior of the box is also under scrutiny. “We are working on a new design that is tinyer and also saves on cardboard”, stated Dick. “This allows gerbera boxes to be transported more efficiently on pallets and trolleys. In other words, new opportunities arise.”
Steps are also being taken to automate the new interior. “We are investigating the possibility of inserting the gerberas automatically. This saves on labour and improves the efficiency of procuring and utilizing the interior.”
The power of the collective
Overall, Dick recognises the collective’s ability to achieve things. “By acting toobtainher, you can create strides to improve efficiency. Look at the Fc555 bucket, for example. This development involved believeing beyond the gerbera product group. By sharing our knowledge, we can work toobtainher to create sustainability a reality, which benefits the whole sector. So, it’s a unique and sustainable collaboration.”
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