GLOBALG.A.P. welcomes CAPEC: Strengthening sustainability through circular-economy initiatives

GLOBALG.A.P. welcomes CAPEC: Strengthening sustainability through circular-economy initiatives 

CAPEC: Innovating sustainable solutions in Spain 

GLOBALG.A.P. is pleased to welcome CAPEC (Cajas y Palets en una Economía Circular) as a GLOBALG.A.P. Associate Community Member. Based in Valencia, Spain, and founded in 2018, CAPEC is a national non-profit association that emerged from the voluntary collaboration of manufacturers, packers, and recyclers in the fruit and vegetable industry. Their primary focus is the development of a closed-loop recycling system for plastic crates used in the sector. CAPEC’s mission to advance sustainability is clear, and by joining GLOBALG.A.P. in 2024, they continue their commitment to fostering a more responsible agricultural supply chain. 

Revolutionizing recycled packaging for a circular economy 

Since its inception, CAPEC has worked diligently to introduce 100% recycled plastic crates into the Spanish market. These crates, certified by the European Food and Safety Authority (EFSA), adhere to strict food safety standards and are marked with a quality symbol that signals their compliance with Environmental Quality technical manuals. This solution ensures that fruit and vegetable packaging is not only safe for food use but also promotes the principles of a circular economy by reducing waste and conserving resources. 

Aligning goals for environmental impact 

“CAPEC’s mission to create an innovative circular reuse system for plastic crates is a prime example of how the whole supply chain has a part to play in more sustainable practices,” said Elmé Coetzer-Boersma, Managing Director of GLOBALG.A.P. c/o FoodPLUS GmbH. “We are excited to welcome CAPEC to our membership community and look forward to collaborating with them.” 

Lucia Pablo Gil, Food Safety Manager at CAPEC, underscores the organization’s commitment to Food Safety as the foundation of its sustainability efforts: “True sustainability, when it comes to recycled plastic in contact with food, requires a commitment to Food Safety. There is no sustainability without Food Safety.”  

Collaborating for lasting change 

As a GLOBALG.A.P. Community Member, CAPEC benefit from exclusive opportunities to collaborate with other community members on critical industry challenges. CAPEC has joined the GLOBALG.A.P. Environmental Sustainability Working Group and will lend its expertise in packaging and recycling, helping to drive further innovation and improvement in agricultural practices.  
This partnership underscores the importance of collective action in creating a more sustainable future for the agricultural sector. 

To find out more about membership opportunities, please visit our community membership webpage.