Have a Quick Catch Up With Our Top 3 Blogs You May Have Missed

GW Containers have over 30 years of experience in the food, and plastics industry.  We are one of the UK’s leading specialists in supplying plastic fish boxes, and a number of insulated containers.  All of our products have been able to successfully meet the requirements of our customers.  Our fish boxes in particular are a popular choice.  They work extremely well when it comes to storing fish fresh from the sea, and they are also very reliable when it comes to transporting them back to land, as the fish remain all in one piece.

Recently on our blog, we have been discussing a number of related topics.  If you have missed out on these, you no longer need to worry as we have summed up our recent top 3 posts for you to catch up on.

1.   Why Plastic Fish Boxes are superior to Traditional Fish Baskets – find out how fish boxes have changed over the years, and why plastic is an increasingly popular material for fish boxes.

 2.       Why the fishing industry thinks plastic is fantastic – Discover how the fishing industry is embracing the advantages of plastic fish boxes, to use when they are out at sea.  Design elements, a smooth surface and the fact that it is easy to clean, make plastic boxes a favourable choice.

3. Plastic containers used in the Food Industry – we look at how strong containers are an essential requirement within the food industry.  Plastic containers are the preferred way to safely transport, and protect food items when they are being transported – we have even included a great video!  Find out more about plastic containers for the food industry.

You will be pleased to hear that we work with some of the leading suppliers in the plastics industry, such as the Promens Group (formally Saeplast).  We are their sole UK distributor for fish boxes, and are able to source other products from worldwide manufacturers.  This enables us to meet the demands of our customers and help them find exactly what they are looking for.

GW Containers stock a range of plastic boxes, including Saeplast insulated containers. For more information, you can give us a call on 01543 279 122.

Why Plastic Fish Boxes are superior to Traditional Fish Baskets

Traditionally containers made from bamboo, cane and grasses were used to transport fish from when they were caught, to where they would be sold or consumed.  With the continued industrialisation of the fishing industry, however, came an increasing need for insulated fish boxes that would protect the fish during transit, so that they could be sold in perfect condition.

Plastic is probably the most common material now used for the humble fish box.  Why?  Because it is very effective at keeping the fish at the right temperature when filled with ice, as the plastic delivers good insulating properties and low ice meltage rates.

Plastic fish boxes are easy to get hold of as ready-made items, and offer a number of advantages to the fishing industry, namely:

·         Making the handling of fish products easier by reducing the need to frequently handle

·         Protecting the fish from damage during transit – the smooth internal base ensures that the fish is not marked under the weight of the ice

·         Insulating and chilling the fish for longer, meaning that fishing trips can be extended to increase catch, and reduce costs

·         Once emptied and thoroughly cleaned, the fish box can be used again

As you would expect of any plastic product, these fish boxes are lightweight and strong. They can be easily stacked and stored, so that they don’t get in the way when not in use – which is paramount within the confines of a fishing vessel, and also during transportation.

It is not just freshly caught fish that needs to be transported during this way but also prepared fish – in terms of fillets and portions that are ready to go to restaurants and supermarkets.  Fish boxes made from plastic are the ideal storage container in this instance, as they will protect the fish and ensure it arrives at the retail or food outlet in a perfectly fresh condition.

Will we ever go back to bamboo or cane fish baskets?

These traditional items are still used by certain people around the world – such as the tribes of Jharkhand in India, who use local bamboo to make their fish baskets – and it is worth remembering that the construction of these items provides a much needed income for the local people.  However, in the industrial age of fishing where time is of the essence, wastage must be kept to a minimum and high quality provided to the end consumer, this is where insulated plastic fish boxes really are the best option.

Why Saeplast Insulated Containers Keeps Your Catch Cool

There is a long process from getting fish to plate; a key element in achieving this is finding a suitable place in which to store the fish. Insulated fish boxes has been a proven method in the safe storage of fish for many decades and is the first choice method in countries such as Iceland.

There is a bit more to buying an insulated fish box than you may think. The first question is which size insulated container is suitable for me?

In answer to this, is depends on several variables including the type of fish you are catching, the size of your boat and how you prepare the fish in the insulated container when it is caught. For smaller day boats our Saeplast range of 70 litre through to 220 litre are the most popular containers, often with one being used as storage for ice and the other for laying the fish side by side mixed with seawater and ice to create a slurry.

For larger vessels the size of insulated container will depend on the species of fish, more delicate species would use our 460 litre or new 340 litre insulated containers to ensure damage to the fish does not occur. Larger vessels catching more robust fish could use the Saeplast 660 or 1000 litre insulated containers.

The second question is are all insulated containers the same quality?

The simple answer is no, as with most products there are higher quality and lower quality of insulated containers. The Saeplast brand is world renowned for being the market leader in quality, value for money and durability making it the most economical container and delivering the highest level of ROI.

Many companies have gone on to copy the Saeplast insulated containers producing a cheaper product which after several years has failed to meet the same standards as our Saeplast containers have proven over a long history. Cheaper products use less insulation, cheaper insulation and quicker production cycles to reduce cost. All these factors mean you get a cheap product which does not carry the same insulation properties, is less durable and will most likely only last a few years due to poor strength.

Finally; Why use Saeplast products?

Put simply Saeplast has been producing and leading the way in insulated containers for many years, The quality of the products, the strength, durability all combine to offer the best quality product which has been proven to last years and improve the quality of your catch.

For more details visit www.gwcontainers.co.uk or see our YouTube channel. 

Why The Fishing Industry Thinks Plastic Is Fantastic!

The United Nations Fisheries and Aquaculture Department (FAO) says “fish boxes (for the transportation of fresh fish) made from HD-polyethylene are superior to those made from other materials”. The FAO cites several reasons for favouring plastic fish boxes, including durability; they have an expected lifespan of between five and seven years “when properly handled”.

The FAO also states in an evaluation report that plastic material is “impervious to liquids, which facilitates cleaning and reduces opportunities for bacterial growth”.

It is not surprising then, that the fishing industry is increasingly using plastic boxes, right from the boat to the docks, through to the holding tanks and beyond. Our grandfathers may have sworn by the use of wooden crates, but time marches on and modern technology is pervading the industry. Today, wooden fish boxes are touted as “vintage” memorabilia on eBay, and some resourceful folk artists are even reproducing them as nostalgic reminders of the past.

The fishing industry has embraced the advantages of plastic fish boxes, which are hard to beat when it comes to distribution.

Design is all-important, particularly when it comes to capacity, handling, stackability on pallets, drainage and cleaning. With their smooth plastic surface, fish boxes avoid the hazards of loose nails and splinters, and are easy to open and close. They are also lighter to handle, reducing shipping costs, and are less porous than wood, cardboard or polystyrene, containing melt-water from packing ice and/or seawater added to keep a catch fresh for as long as possible.

Another advantage of plastic fish boxes is the fact that they float well, a distinct benefit for fishermen reliant on dragging their catch to shore.

The stackability of plastic fish boxes is ensured by moulding, making them identical and uniform, taking up as little space as possible on a fishing boat and therefore allowing a bigger yield. Once the catch is loaded into the plastic fish boxes on board, it can stay there until it reaches its destination.

Plastic crates are impervious to bacteria and fungal growth in the short-term, and are easy to clean and re-use, especially with a high-pressure washer. Fish and seafood require the most hygienic conditions possible.

Other advantages of using plastic crates are that they are resistant to weather conditions; let it rain, shine or snow! The plastic fish boxes will withstand temperature variations and moisture levels far better than wood, cardboard or polystyrene.

For more information on different types of fish boxes, you can visit the GW Containers website.

The Importance of Strong Plastic Baskets in the Fishing Industry

44 litre plastic basket

Well-made plastic baskets have a huge variety of uses, but they are very commonly used in the fishing, meat, vegetables and food processing industries. Food items such as fish, fruit and vegetables can be conveniently moved from place to place whilst remaining protected from harm.

Most plastic baskets have a pattern of holes in the side so that air can reach the food, and sturdy handles are a must for transporting large quantities of food as it can be very heavy. Baskets come in many sizes, though a 44 litre plastic basket is commonly used within the fishing industry. The baskets are designed to be easy to stack so as to be easily stored when not in use.

As well as plastic fish baskets, stacking boxes and nest stack boxes are also commonly used in the fishing industry. These can be filled with ice before freshly caught fish are added, helping to keep the fish fresh whilst they are sold at fishing markets. Once a box is emptied of fish, the ice can then be disposed of and the box cleaned out and stacked ready for the next day’s catch.

Some fish may stay in plastic fish boxes in order to be transported. Fish boxes meant exclusively for this purpose can be fitted with a tracking device, so their location can be tracked to ensure that fish arrives at the right destination on time, and the box can then be returned to their owner once they have been used for transportation. To further prevent boxes from being lost or misplaced, they can also be branded.

Fish baskets, for example, a 44 litre plastic basket, must be durable and sturdy, as they can get thrown around at fishing markets, or during transportation. Strong integrated handles help to give baskets a longer span of use, as they will be less likely to break or be damaged when dragged or thrown around, often when stacked or carrying cargo.

In addition to plastic baskets and boxes, buggies are also commonly used at fish markets. Buggies are equipped with wheels, allowing for larger loads of fish to be moved around relatively easily. These buggies usually feature a drainage hole and plug, meaning that they can be easily cleaned and sterilised ready for the next fishing catch that they will transport.

For more information on plastic fish baskets and boxes, look no further than GW Containers, who specialise in baskets boxes and buggies for the fishing industry.

Plastic Containers used in the Food Industry

Strong plastic containers are vital in the food industry and many producers rely on boxes such as these to protect their food items during transportation.  The triple wall design gives the plastic containers extra strength to survive mishaps.  Boxes can be rotated and dumped safely and even if they do get damaged, can be easily repaired.

The boxes that you see in the video are just an example of some of the plastic containers we supply to the food industry, to sectors such as fishing, meat and poultry and food processing.

Please visit our GW Containers website for more information on the containers we supply and what industries and purposes they are best suited for www.gwcontainers.co.uk.