Fruit and vegetable packaging: the trends of 2025

Staff Cart-One 17/06/2026 0

The world of fruit and vegetables is changing. In 2025, fruit and vegetable packaging will indeed become a true communication tool. Health and sustainability will be the two great drivers of change, guiding increasingly conscious consumption choices throughout the entire supply chain. Fruit and vegetable packaging: the trends of 2025. This is confirmed by the Bestack consortium, which brings together some of the main producers of corrugated cardboard packaging for the agri-food sector. According to the latest analyses, lifestyles are pushing towards innovative, natural, and environmentally friendly packaging solutions. Read also: “News on packaging regulations: towards safe, sustainable, and circular packaging”

Food and well-being: the new dietary habits

At the root of this evolution is a growing attention towards food as a source of health. According to the Flavor and Color Outlook 2024 report published by ADM, the idea of food as medicine is growing. Foods like citrus fruits, berries, and green leafy vegetables are increasingly chosen for their beneficial properties. Alongside health consciousness, a strong environmental awareness is also emerging. Plant-based, for instance, continues to spread thanks to the desire to reduce meat consumption and lower climate impact. At the same time, the search for value remains a determining factor. More and more people choose non-branded products capable of offering quality, taste, and an experience similar to that of premium brands. This behavior, known as “dare to dupe”, is one of the most interesting trends of the moment.

Between colors, flavors, and identity: the consumer is changing

Food choices have become a form of personal expression. Consumers want to live an authentic and engaging experience through food as well. Fermented, spiced, exotic, or intensely colored ingredients, such as kimchi, turmeric, or chili pepper, are in increasing demand. Not only for the taste, but for what they represent: energy, health, personality. This transformation also involves the concept of sustainable luxury. Eating well, choosing healthy and visually appealing foods, becomes a way to communicate one's lifestyle. In this context, packaging takes on a central role in enhancing the product and telling a story.

The new role of fruit and vegetable packaging

In a market that is increasingly sensitive to both form and content, fruit and vegetable packaging must serve multiple functions: protecting the product, informing, communicating values, but also evoking emotions. Sustainable materials, refined design, smart labels, and intelligent solutions make packaging a fundamental touchpoint between the brand and the consumer. Technologies like QR codes, RFID, or interactive labels allow access to additional content, improving transparency regarding:

  • product origin
  • nutritional values
  • storage methods
  • environmental impact

All of this fits into a logic defined as "health without stealth", where the message of health and sustainability is clear, explicit, and always accessible.

Corrugated cardboard as a winning choice

In the landscape of sustainable packaging, corrugated cardboard confirms itself as one of the most suitable materials for fruit and vegetables. Besides being sustainable and resistant, it adapts perfectly to transport and distribution needs, protecting the product and reducing waste. According to Bestack, it is the ideal solution to combine functionality and aesthetics, while contributing to reducing environmental impact along the entire supply chain.

Cart-One: packaging solutions for tomorrow's fruit and vegetables

Cart-One supports companies in the fruit and vegetable sector with corrugated cardboard packaging solutions designed to be sustainable, high-performing, and communicative. We offer tailor-made packaging that respects the environment, protects the product, and enhances every detail of the brand. From customized design to the integration of information tools, our packaging accompanies fruit and vegetables all along the way: from production to the table. Want to make your fruit and vegetable packaging more modern, sustainable, and engaging? Tell us about your project: we will be happy to develop the most suitable solution together. To learn more: “Packaging Cost Optimization 2025: strategies for efficiency, sustainability, and savings”

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Staff Cart-One 18/06/2026

Warehouse humidity: the main enemy of your boxes
An efficient storage system is essential for any warehouse, whether it is a manufacturing company, a retail store, or a logistics firm. For this reason, great attention must be paid to humidity, one of the most common issues affecting warehouses. Warehouse humidity: the main enemy of your boxes. Humidity can cause damage to both boxes and the products inside, leading to significant financial losses. In this article, we will explore the importance of humidity management in warehouses and provide strategies to protect your boxes from dampness. To learn more: “Cardboard warehouse boxes: the best features” The problems caused by humidity Warehouses play a crucial role in the supply chain of any business. They are the hubs where products, materials, and goods are stored and distributed before reaching end customers. However, an invisible enemy threatens the integrity of these storage spaces: humidity. This natural phenomenon can be highly damaging to stored items, especially when dealing with cardboard boxes or moisture-sensitive containers. Humidity is an atmospheric condition characterized by an excessive presence of water vapor in the air. In warehouses, dampness can be caused by various factors, such as weather changes, insufficient insulation, or water infiltration. Cardboard boxes, frequently used for storage and packing, are indeed particularly vulnerable to moisture. Among the problems caused by warehouse humidity, we find: Box warping: cardboard is a highly absorbent material, and moisture can cause boxes to swell and warp, making them less suitable for storage and stacking; Mold: a damp environment provides the ideal habitat for mold growth, which can develop on the surface of the boxes. These fungal substances can damage internal contents and compromise the structural integrity of the boxes themselves; Deterioration of contents: if moisture penetrates the boxes, it can damage the goods inside. This is particularly problematic for sensitive items, such as electronic products or organic materials; Financial losses: damage caused by moisture can result in the loss of merchandise and materials, leading to additional replacement costs for the company. Solutions to protect boxes from humidity Fortunately, there are several solutions to protect cardboard boxes from moisture in warehouses: Environmental control: keeping the warehouse at a controlled temperature and using dehumidifiers can help reduce airborne moisture, thus protecting the boxes and their contents; Ventilation control: proper air circulation can help prevent condensation and moisture build-up inside the warehouse; Waterproof packaging: utilizing waterproof films and coatings to protect boxes can be an effective measure against dampness; Use of sealants: or moisture-resistant adhesive tapes to seal boxes. This can help prevent moisture from entering the box and shield the stored products; Elevated storage: keeping boxes off the floor prevents the transfer of ground moisture to the cardboard. Using shelving units or pallets serves as an excellent solution; Constant monitoring: installing humidity sensors in the warehouse and regularly tracking moisture levels can help prevent hazardous conditions. Investing in moisture protection is a key way to preserve product quality, reduce financial losses, and guarantee customer satisfaction. Do not underestimate the destructive power of humidity, and adopt preventive measures to protect your boxes and assets from its harmful effects. If you are looking for a highly reliable partner for your packaging, choose CART-ONE. You will receive comprehensive 360-degree consulting to guide you in choosing the right product to fully satisfy your needs. Contact us for more information. You might also be interested in: “Packaging in e-commerce strategy: the new frontiers”
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Staff Cart-One 19/06/2026

Print4All: what emerged from the International Circular Economy Summit
The circular economy concerns everyone, from individual citizens to the entire industrial sector. It represents a choice that is not only ethical and social but one that influences long-term business decisions, driven by the increasing sensitivity and awareness of the final consumer.  This is what emerged from the International Circular Economy Summit and The Innovation Alliance, which was held in May alongside Fiera Milano Ipack-Ima, Print4All, GreenPlast, and Intralogistica Italia. These successful, in-person trade fairs were united in showcasing the most innovative solutions for various industrial production sectors. At the same time, they addressed the looming challenges that the industrial world is called upon to face today: from the circular economy to Industry 4.0 A new concept of doing business Numerous corporate realities have currently chosen to embrace new production models and invest in the continuous training of their internal resources. This has led to manufacturing improvements aimed at safeguarding the planet's future and reducing the impact on upcoming generations. This new way of doing business, in order to accelerate change and definitively materialize, requires common standards, support from European and local legislation, and a greater level of culture and awareness. All of this is aimed at transforming production waste from a critical issue into an economic opportunity. As recalled by William Neale, DG Environment’s Directorate B-Circular Economy at the European Commission, this is a fresh approach, implemented in the first European Action Plan in 2015, which saw a significant increase in recycling targets. The next step focuses on the value chain: making sustainable products the norm in Europe rather than the exception, thereby standardizing the minimum requirements for a product's admission into the European market. Another crucial element is focusing on the digital product passport, with the aim of tracking all product data, thereby contributing to its recycling or repair and allowing its average lifespan to be extended. The National Strategy on Circular Economy and the National Waste Management Plan Promoting shared local policies and boosting recycling and waste management monitoring are the directions toward which NRRP-related funds are targeted, points out Laura D’Aprile, Head of the Department of Ecological Transition and Green Investment at the Italian Government's Ministry of Ecological Transition. In Italy, 2.5 billion euros have been allocated to support the circular economy, aiming to definitively bridge the gap between northern and southern regions by especially incentivizing proper waste management. Additionally, 600 million euros have been allocated to create specific disposal hubs for different sectors: electronic waste, paper and cardboard, plastics, and the textile sector. To encourage the construction of recycling plants that facilitate the achievement of European objectives, common criteria and strategic guidelines must be defined based on the targets for each individual region. Read also: Urban Waste Report 2021. The 3 pillars to grow the circular economy The speeches at the Summit highlighted the 3 fundamental pillars for the growth of the circular economy. It is necessary to focus on: Legislation: both in terms of cross-border waste trade and international management. Training: greater culture and shared awareness bring about better recycling management. Ecodesign: product sustainability starts at the very moment of its conception. Design must take into account product lifespans, aiming for greater durability, the possibility of reuse, and the future deployment of processing scraps. In this way, within a circular vision, waste materials from wine or chocolate, for instance, become the foundation for producing energy or innovative packaging. Innovation, sustainability, technology, and training: the pillars that have always distinguished our corporate reality. Stay updated on all our news and follow us on LINKEDIN.
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Staff Cart-One 04/09/2026

PPWR: What Changes for Corrugated Packaging
Since 12 August 2026, a new phase has begun for the packaging industry: the European Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) has become applicable and is set to progressively replace Directive 94/62/EC, which for more than thirty years has been the main European regulatory reference for the sector.The new Regulation is part of the European Union’s broader efforts to protect the environment and achieve climate neutrality by 2050. In this context, packaging is one of the areas where action is needed to reduce resource consumption, limit waste generation and minimise the environmental impact of production activities. The PPWR also aims to prevent potential risks to human health arising from the presence of certain substances in packaging and to make the materials used safer.The PPWR therefore introduces new rules that will guide packaging towards a more circular model, addressing aspects such as design, recyclability, reduction of materials used, reuse and end-of-life management. The First Operational Changes With the application of the PPWR, some responsibilities are also changing for those who manufacture and place packaging on the European market. Manufacturers must verify that their packaging complies with the requirements set out in the Regulation, prepare the relevant technical documentation and draw up an EU Declaration of Conformity.The importance of information exchange is also increasing throughout the supply chain: suppliers of materials and packaging must provide the data and documentation required to demonstrate their compliance.This is one of the first tangible effects of the PPWR: alongside packaging performance, the traceability of information and the ability to document its characteristics are becoming increasingly important. Many of the more specific requirements, from recyclability to the new European labelling system, will instead come into force according to the deadlines established for the coming years. The Role of Corrugated Board In this emerging scenario, corrugated board starts from a favourable position: it is recyclable, can be customised through design and allows material, weight and volume to be optimised according to the product and the logistics chain. In addition, the European fibre collection and recycling system is already well established.The PPWR introduces new obligations for all packaging materials, but it also highlights some of the inherent characteristics of corrugated board. The ability to adapt format, structure and performance makes it possible to reduce waste and improve transport and distribution efficiency. Furthermore, cardboard boxes are exempt from certain reuse targets applicable to transport packaging.Corrugated board is not automatically compliant, however: fibre-based packaging will also have to meet the new design-for-recycling criteria and the future recyclability performance classes. For the industry, the PPWR therefore represents both a set of requirements to be met and an impetus to develop solutions that are more efficient, recyclable and aligned with the principles of the circular economy.
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