This study compares the environmental, economic, and social impacts of three common European fruit and vegetable transport packaging systems: single-use wooden and cardboard boxes, and multi-use reusable plastic crates. Using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), Life Cycle Costing (LCC), and Life Cycle Working Environment (LCWE) methodologies, the paper finds that plastic crates generally have lower impacts in several categories compared to cardboard boxes, though wooden boxes and plastic crates perform similarly in others. Plastic crates are the most cost-effective overall and show a lower accident rate compared to wooden and cardboard boxes. The study highlights optimisation opportunities for all systems and stresses the importance of integrating economic and social dimensions into sustainability assessments.