CBL Crates Product information

CBL crates are made from food-grade, high-density polyethylene, which is cadmium-free and fully recyclable. Broken crates are crushed to be used as regranulate for new crates. CBL crates are black and are available in six different sizes (types). See below for detailed product specifications per CBL type.

Download overview

CBL Contract

The VersFust Foundation (SVF) owns the packaging and sets the policies and playbook of the VersFust pool. Pool Service is the pool manager and conducts all operational work. This includes managing contracts, issues, validations and the VersFust pool.

Long Term Hire
At Pool Service, you can rent CBL packaging based on a long-term rental agreement, known as a Long Term Hire (LTH) contract. An LTH contract is agreed upon with Pool Service on behalf of SVF and includes a starting fee (depending on the type of CBL). Upon collection or transfer to another party, you will receive a partial refund of this starting fee.

Annually, Pool Service charges a 10-cent pool fee on behalf of SVF, which finances CBL management and the replacement of broken CBL crates. This is managed on a non-profit basis in collaboration with retailers and suppliers.

See the CBL rental prices, rental conditions, and application form above.

Short Term Hire
Within the CBL VersFust pool, it is also possible to rent CBL for a short term (Short Term Hire (STH)). Requests are processed through one of the logistics service providers affiliated with the VersFust pool.

For the current prices, services, and conditions for STH contracts, please visit the logistics service providers’ websites.

Collaboration

In the early 1990s, the VersFust Foundation (SVF) replaced single-use and various packaging with a more sustainable system. SVF was founded by the Central Bureau Levensmiddelen (CBL) and the Federatie Nederlandse Levensmiddelen Industrie (FNLI). The board consists of delegates from retailers and food suppliers.

SVF has outsourced national management to IPP Poolservice B.V. This collaboration aims to manage the national flow of CBL crates sustainably and efficiently. KPIs have been set up to identify key insights and opportunities. These KPIs are continuously measured and analysed:

Delivery reliability
Service level
Rotation speed
Transit time
Stock retailer

CBL VersFustpool

By August 2024, 18 retailers in the Netherlands have joined the CBL pool. Pool Service currently manages thirty-three depots or distribution centres on behalf of Stichting VersFust.

Download an overview of all locations and opening hours:

Opening hours affiliated depots Holidays 2024 - Openinghours retail

TrackOnline

For data management and placing CBL orders, we use the ordering system ‘TrackOnline.’

Instructions

Frequently Asked Questions

At Pool Service, CBL crates are available only through long-term hire agreements or LTH contracts. An LTH contract is agreed upon with Pool Service on behalf of Stichting VersFust and includes a start-up fee and an annual contribution of EUR 0.10 (2021) per crate. Depending on your needs, renting CBL crates offers long-term benefits, such as low costs and high national availability. View the current LTH prices and rental conditions for Stichting VersFust on this page. CBL crates can also be rented on a short-term basis within the CBL pool. To do this, you can request an STH contract from one of the logistics service providers affiliated with the CBL pool. For current prices, services, and conditions for short-term hire, please visit the websites of the following logistics service providers: HB RTS, Interhaven and Kuehne + Nagel.

You can apply on our website using the LTH application form (on this page). Another option is to send your contract request to [email protected]. In your request, please include your Pool Service customer number (if available), along with the type and number of crates needed. We will review your request and, once agreed upon, arrange for crate collection at the Stichting VersFust depot, typically within 14 days.

When an LTH contract is terminated, the CBL crates must be returned to a VersFust Foundation depot. To minimize costs, the crates are first listed on the CBL Marketplace for four weeks before return. Within this period, another affiliated pool participant can take over the offered CBL crates and agreement. Agreements on matters such as price, physical transfer, location, and the condition of the crates are negotiated and settled directly between the parties without the involvement of Pool Service. To report your LTH contract termination, please email [email protected] and include your PS customer number and the relevant contract number.

Depending on your situation, there are several methods for reporting CBL deliveries. Our preferred method is EDI messaging. For specific questions about reporting deliveries and building CBL balances for ordering (or returning) your crates, please email [email protected].

If you have any other specific query or questions please email us. For general questions CBL pool: [email protected], For operational matters (planning, retail, crate swaps): [email protected]. For CBL transactions and data flows (deliveries, CBL balances, EDI): [email protected]. For LTH contracts: [email protected], For financial matters: [email protected].