As sustainability pressures continue to reshape the horticulture and retail packaging sectors, Schur and Blackmore Company have collaborated to develop an innovative carton-based retail sleeve designed to replace traditional plastic plant pots in supermarkets and garden centers.
The solution combines a customized packaging machine with a recyclable carton sleeve system, offering growers and retailers a more sustainable and operationally efficient alternative for packaging plants measuring 13 cm and above.
Reducing Plastic Waste in Horticulture Packaging
Traditional horticulture retail packaging relies heavily on plastic pots, many of which are discarded immediately after purchase. Schur and Blackmore developed the new Retail Sleeve concept to significantly reduce this dependency on single-use plastic while maintaining product presentation and handling efficiency.
According to the companies, the solution can reduce plastic use in retail plant packaging by up to 95%, helping growers lower packaging waste and improve sustainability performance.
The carton sleeve is designed as a customizable and recyclable alternative that integrates directly into automated packaging operations while maintaining strong branding and retail visibility.
On-Demand Printing Enhances Production Flexibility
One of the key innovations behind the system is the integration of Schur’s packaging machinery with digital printing technology from its labeling division. This allows growers to print customer-specific branding and labels on demand during the packaging process instead of pre-printing large packaging inventories.
The approach significantly improves production flexibility while reducing unnecessary waste caused by canceled or changed orders.
“With our machine solution it is now possible to print labels on-demand,” Schur explained in the project announcement.
This means growers no longer risk disposing of thousands of pre-labeled plastic pots if retail requirements change late in the supply chain.
Automation and Labor Efficiency
The system was also developed with automation in mind. The packaging machine can initially operate manually while remaining fully compatible with robotic handling systems for future automation upgrades.
According to the companies, the automated setup can reduce manual labor requirements by up to 70%, improving production efficiency while supporting scalability for growers.
Blackmore emphasized that sustainability alone is not enough to drive industry transformation and that operational improvements must also create measurable economic benefits.
“We must focus on improving labor efficiency, reducing costs, lowering CO₂ emissions and minimizing plastic waste,” said Lars Jensen of Blackmore Company.
Supporting Circular Packaging Innovation
The Retail Sleeve concept reflects a broader shift toward fiber-based and recyclable packaging systems within horticulture and retail markets. Schur’s expertise in carton packaging, automation and integrated packaging systems played a central role in enabling the transition away from conventional plastic pots.
The packaging system is fully customizable, supports high-quality printing and integrates seamlessly into growers’ existing automation workflows, enabling both branding flexibility and improved sustainability performance.
As regulatory pressure and consumer demand for sustainable packaging continue to grow, innovations such as the Schur and Blackmore Retail Sleeve demonstrate how integrated packaging design and automation can help reduce plastic dependency while improving operational efficiency across the horticulture industry.