Box Laundry

For vegetables and fruit, many reusable crates are used to store, transport, and trade them efficiently. EPS (Euro Pool System) crates are either green (foldable) or blue (star). After use, they must of course be cleaned properly. From sorting to water recycling, every detail is considered.

What is the crate washing facility?

The crate washing facility, part of Euro Pool System (EPS), is the silent force behind the logistics of the food industry, where sustainability and efficiency meet. Located in Sint-Katelijne-Waver, Zellik, and Roeselare, the laundries ensure that the crates transporting vegetables and fruits remain in top condition. How? Through a combination of smart technology and craftsmanship. Whether it's the green, black, or blue (tomato) crates, after a thorough wash they are ready for their next adventure.

What does the crate washing facility do?

The crate washing facility ensures that used transport crates are as good as new. Thanks to a thorough cleaning, from pre-wash to rinsing, the crates start fresh. This is essential for hygiene and reuse. 

Automation

The crate washing facility in Sint-Katelijne-Waver is fully automated, allowing crates to be cleaned quickly and efficiently. Forklifts place unsorted pallets onto the machine, after which the crates go through the washer and come out cleaned back on pallets. Forklift drivers then pick up up to four pallets at a time, speeding up the process and minimizing manual work.

Rental and deposit system

At BelOrta, we mainly work with Euro Pool System crates. Their use is accompanied by a deposit system. The system works as follows:

  • Deposit: crates are sold with a deposit that is refunded when they are returned correctly
  • Crate rental: the buyer pays a rental fee for the use of the crates.

The process

Pre-wash

First, the crates are thoroughly rinsed with cold water without detergent to remove coarse dirt and remnants of vegetables or fruit. This way, they start fresh for the rest of the cleaning process.

Main Wash

Then comes the actual work: the crates are sprayed under high pressure with warm water and a chlorine-containing cleaning agent. This removes all stubborn dirt and bacteria, ensuring the crates are thoroughly cleaned.

Rinsing

After that bath, the crates undergo a thorough pressure rinse, where any residues and stickers are removed.

Visual Inspection

The crates receive a final check using a visual inspection system.

Sorting

After the inspection, the crates move to the sorting machine where they are sorted by type. They then go to the next machine where they are folded and stacked. This allows them to be neatly integrated back into the logistics chain, ready for their next trip.

Drying

Finally, the crates go into the centrifuge, where the water is spun out, so they dry quickly and are fully prepared for use. They can then re-enter the logistics chain, ready for their next journey.

Why all this care?

Because clean crates are essential for food safety. They ensure that vegetables and fruit can be transported and traded safely, and contribute to sustainable logistics. Reusing crates saves costs and reduces our ecological footprint, all while ensuring the highest quality for every load.

Sustainability and efficiency in the washing process

It's all about combining sustainability and top quality. Through biological water treatment and reusing purified water, the crates remain clean, with consideration for a more sustainable environment.

Biological water treatment

The wastewater from the laundry doesn't go to waste. It is first purified via a biological water treatment plant, so the water is clean and safe for reuse. The best part? The purified water is reused in the pre-wash, saving water.

Folding crates

By working with foldable crates instead of rigid crates, the crates can be folded back once empty. This reduces transport space by up to  80% on return trips. This results in a significant reduction in the carbon footprint.