Recognizing the Key Drivers and Industry Implications of Sustainable Packaging Design: A Mixed-Method Approach

Giovanni Mattia,Alessio Di Leo,Carlo Alberto Pratesi

doi:10.3390/su13095299

Abstract

Sustainable packaging design plays a strategic role across several industries. Using the Italian market as the perimeter of the analysis, this paper aims to broaden the knowledge of corporate attitudes, perceptions, and behaviors toward sustainable packaging along the entire supply chain. A mixed-method approach was used, integrating qualitative and quantitative data collected from 33 in-depth interviews and a survey on a sample of 462 companies. The results revealed that a challenging goal will consist of reconciling technological advances and marketing instances, and that the entire supply chain should be synergistically involved in packaging sustainability. It was also found that larger companies consider sustainability as part of a broader business strategy, whereas smaller ones possess a tactical vision. The study provides valuable insights to better comprehend and manage a complex ecosystem such as that of sustainable packaging.

Highlights

Sustainable packaging is a topic not univocally represented since it involves numerous actors, namely the manufacturers and users from different industrial and commercial sectors, through a rather complex system of interactions [1]
It is reasonable to say that any sustainable packaging strategy aims to increase its value by reducing unsustainable consumption and the environmental degradation induced by industry [2]
Since 2015, when the United Nations created the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) [3], the commitment to sustainability has become the key to future competitiveness and an essential element of the policy-making agenda [4]

Summary

Introduction

Sustainable packaging is a topic not univocally represented since it involves numerous actors, namely the manufacturers and users from different industrial and commercial sectors, through a rather complex system of interactions [1]. Several researchers have analyzed it from a consumer perspective [7,10], while others have studied the overall environmental impact of packaging, deepening the life-cycle assessments (LCAs), and new technologies and materials [11]. Alongside these, another stream of literature has concentrated attention on the opportunities and effects of package sustainability [12,13]. Another stream of literature has concentrated attention on the opportunities and effects of package sustainability [12,13] In this respect, packaging-related issues should not be treated tactically, but with a long-term vision [14]

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion