Dole Food Company is continuing its sustainability journey by expanding the commercial use of Oxifilm® in its banana and pineapple operations in Latin America. This innovative, macro-perforated, 100% recyclable stretch film will replace traditional palletizing materials, reducing waste by 85% and eliminating approximately 2.2 kg (4 lbs.) per pallet. With this expansion set for late April 2025, Dole expects to see a significant reduction in plastic waste, packaging materials, and shipping weight.
Currently, Dole is reducing 2,200 kg of plastic per week across bananas and 5,280 kg of plastic per week across pineapples. Once the scale-up program is implemented in week 18, these reduction numbers will increase to 7,920 kg per week for each of these core products, totaling more than 15,800 kg per week in total. This shift towards Oxifilm® will not only reduce plastic usage but also improve operational efficiency by automating part of the palletizing process in packhouses, enhancing ergonomics for workers and allowing them to focus on quality.
Ana Cristina Obregon, Vice President of Logistics at Dole Tropical Products, highlighted the benefits of scaling up pallet wrapping, stating, “We’re significantly reducing the use of plastic while also enhancing efficiency in our supply chain and fruit quality. It’s another step forward in Dole’s commitment to innovation and sustainable agricultural practices.” The adoption of Oxifilm® demonstrates a scalable, high-impact solution to reducing waste and aligns with Dole’s broader goals of reducing waste, enhancing efficiency, and driving sustainability across its global supply chain.
Dole first launched pallet wrapping commercially in bananas in June 2023 and pineapples in August 2024 at farms in Costa Rica and Honduras. With this implementation, the company is on track to achieve a dramatic reduction in palletizing material, estimated to be 686,400 kg (1.5 million lb.) in 2025. Additional wrapping equipment is scheduled to be delivered to packhouses in Guatemala and Ecuador in Q2 2025.
For more information on Dole’s sustainability initiatives, visit www.dole.com. Dole Food Company, part of Dole plc, is one of the world’s largest producers and marketers of high-quality fresh fruit and fresh vegetables. Dole is an industry leader in many of the products it sells, as well as in nutrition education. Visit www.dole.com for more information.
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