Packaging Life Cycle Research Articles

Quantifying the environmental impact of transportation for plastic film packaging end-of-life: Landfill, incineration, physical recycling, or chemical recycling

This study assesses the often-overlooked environmental impact of waste transportation in the life cycle of polymer-based multilayer packaging (PMP) in New York State (NYS). Analyzing greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) and energy consumption, the research includes various waste management scenarios, including landfilling, incineration, material recovery facilities (MRF) with chemical recycling (CR), and retail return with CR. The study maps existing waste management facilities, calculates travel distances, and introduces a proposed central CR facility. Findings reveal that compared to landfilling, transportation GHG emissions are higher for incineration (64 %), MRF with CR (264 %), and retail return with CR (158 %). The research highlights the importance of well-distributed landfill locations over sparse CR and incineration sites, hindering plastic film recycling advancement in the US. The model introduces three new incinerators, reducing transport energy (28 %) and GHG emissions (31 %). This study stands as the most comprehensive assessment of transportation impacts on plastic film waste, offering a versatile model for research, policy, and facility siting.

Plastic Versus Bioplastic as Packaging for Sanitary Products: The Environmental Impacts Comparison

ABSTRACTPlastic or bioplastic? Which is the least impactful flexible packaging solution for the environment? In literature, few works try to answer this question, and most of them are focused on food packaging applications, comparing only polylactic acid (PLA) with polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or other virgin plastics. Besides these lacks in the literature, this work aims at contributing to the scientific knowledge, helping in the meanwhile packaging companies to choose the best solution also for hygienic and sanitary applications as far as the environmental impact is concerned. The study is focused on the life cycle assessment of four solutions made of maize starch, PLA and polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT), low‐density polyethylene (LDPE) and a recycled LDPE (R‐LDPE). The functional unit was a flexible packaging containing 10 sanitary towels. Primary data were retrieved thanks to an Italian company, whereas secondary data were extracted from the Ecoinvent 3.7 database. The SimaPro 9.4 software has been used to calculate the global warming, water consumption, acidification and abiotic depletion of elements and fossil fuels of each packaging solution. The results show that the raw materials and packaging production are the most impactful phases during the life cycle of plastics and bioplastics packaging, if compared to the distribution phase, the auxiliary materials involved and the final disposal. Great benefits could be gained using recycled plastics, which allow to reduce the extraction of virgin materials and overall appear as the best solution from an environmental point of view to package also sanitary products.

The material selection method for functional packaging of electromechanical products based on low carbon and cost constraint

Abstract Packaging is an important but easily overlooked part of the study of low-carbon lifecycle of electromechanical products, but with the significant growth of the express delivery business, the carbon emissions caused by packaging are increasingly noteworthy. In order to explore the carbon emissions of packaging lifecycle, the electromechanical products are used as the packaging object to discuss the connotation of functional packaging, low-carbon design boundary and research methods of packaging lifecycle and establish the calculation models of carbon footprint and cost of packaging lifecycle and the evaluation method of material selection. The case study of gasoline engines shows that material selection plays a decisive role in the packaging of electromechanical products based on low carbon and cost constraints.

CIRCULARITY IN THE STEEL PACKAGING SECTOR: AN ANALYSIS OF THE MAIN BARRIERS AND OPPORTUNITIES

AbstractPaper aims: Map the life cycle of metal packaging, investigate the barriers and enablers to the adoption of circular practices in the steel packaging sector in Brazil.subject of study: Consist of adoption of a circular model of production and consumption, in which post-consumer raw materials are reintegrated into their respective value chains.Research method: A literature review is combined with qualitative research involving key sector experts to examine how the Brazilian steel packaging sector can transition to a more circular value chain.Main findings: This research indicate that steel packaging has the potential to join a group of products with closed-loop production cycles and that steel can be recycled indefinitely without losing the original properties. Implications for theory and practice: If endless recycling of steel raw materials, there will be no need to mine new ore for new steel packaging.

State of the art and future scenarios for bio-packaging market transition: evidence from Poland

PurposeThe purpose of this article is twofold. First, this study characterises the current state of the bio-packaging market's development. Second, it identifies key factors influencing and possible scenarios of the bio-packaging market transition to increase the market share of compostable packaging.Design/methodology/approachThe results of 29 in-depth interviews (IDIs) with representatives of the key groups of bio-packaging supply chains' (SCs') stakeholders were the input for the consideration of the research problem.FindingsThe main economic, legal, social and technological enablers and barriers to the bio-packaging regime transition are recognised, and their impact at the market level is explained. The authors recognised the hybrid transition scenario towards an increase in the market share of compostable packaging related to the three traditional pathways of transformation, reconfiguration and technological substitution.Originality/valueThis study contributes to a better understanding of the socio-technical system theory by examining interdependencies between landscape (external environment), market regime (bio-packaging market) and niche innovations (compostable packaging) as well as system transition pathways. The findings and conclusions on bio-packaging market developments can be important lessons learnt to be applied in different countries due to the same current development stage of the compostable packaging lifecycle worldwide.

The Legal Transition Towards a More Circular Plastic Packaging ChainA Case Study of the Netherlands

The production and generation of plastic packaging waste in the EU continues to increase, which is accompanied by several negative externalities. At the same time, reuse remains limited and recycling rates of plastic packaging are stagnating, resulting in a significant loss of materials and value to the economy. The transition towards a more circular plastic packaging chain is proposed as a solution: both plastics and packaging are highlighted as key product groups in the EU’s Circular Economy Action Plans. However, by looking specifically at the legal framework governing the life cycle of plastic packaging – EU chemicals, product and waste legislation – this research has identified barriers to the transition towards a more circular plastic packaging chain, as well as untapped solutions and incentives to stimulate this transition. It is argued that changes to the legal framework governing the life cycle of plastic packaging are therefore necessary to enable and stimulate the transition towards a more circular plastic packaging chain. Besides improving both the alignment with and the actual contribution of the provisions and instruments of the legislation to the achievement of Circular Economy (CE) objectives, the inherent interlinkages between the different life cycle stages and the legislation governing them need to be better taken into account to not only create a legal framework that is fit for purpose, but also to avoid negative effects and unlock synergies in pursuance of CE objectives. Circular Economy (CE), plastic packaging, EU chemicals legislation, EU product legislation, EU waste legislation

Comparison of life cycle assessment for takeout meal packaging (kraft paper bowl and plastic bowl) based on Simapro

Purpose This study aims to compare and analyze the impact of the commonly used takeout packing (Kraft paper bowl and plastic bowl) through life cycle assessment, then certain suggestions for the development of green packaging could be provided. Design/methodology/approach In this study, Simapro software was used to calculate and analyze the whole life cycle of takeout packaging from the stage of raw materials, production and processing and waste disposal. Findings Twelve environmental categories were used to quantitatively analyze the environmental impact of the two different bowls. The results showed that the impact of Kraft paper bowl on the environment was less than that of plastic bowl, regardless of raw material, processing or waste stage. Kraft paper bowl was better than plastic bowl. Research limitations/implications This study compared and analyzed the progress of 750-mL bowls made with different materials and specific specifications. Practical implications Green packaging is the development trend of the future packaging and follows the principle of reduce, resue, recycle, degradable. According to the calculation results, corresponding suggestions can be put forward from production, processing, use, waste and other aspects, and make corresponding contributions to the development of green packaging. Originality/value The contribution and impact of each stage of the product on the environment can be studied. The environmental impacts, such as global warming potential and water scarcity, can be reduced through different solutions, such as the use of green materials, good processing techniques and higher recycling rates.

Integrating the latest biological advances in the key steps of a food packaging life cycle.

This literature review provides a focus on the potential of integrating the latest scientific and technological advances in the biological field to improve the status of the key steps of a food packaging life cycle: production, usage, post-usage, and long-term fate. A case study of such multi-biological food packaging is demonstrated based on the use of PHAs (polyhydroxyalkanoates) polymer, a microbiologically produced polymer from non-food renewable resources, activated by the use of bioactive components to enhance its usage benefits by reducing food loss and waste, displaying potential for reusability, compostability as post-usage, and finally, being ultimately biodegradable in most common natural conditions to considerably reduce the negative impact that persistent plastics have on the environment. We discuss how designing safe and efficient multi "bio" food packaging implies finding a compromise between sometimes contradictory functional properties. For example, active antimicrobials help preserve food but can hamper the ultimate biodegradation rate of the polymer. This review presents such antagonisms as well as techniques (e.g., coatings, nanoencapsulation) and tools (e.g., release kinetic) that can help design optimized, safe, and efficient active food packaging.

Packaging journey from retail to home: how the meaning of sustainability for colour transforms

Purpose Research has largely disregarded consumer–packaging interaction in contexts other than retail. Focusing on the powerful cue of colour and consumers’ pleas for sustainability and drawing on the customer journey and moments of consumption, this study investigates how packaging colour meanings are redefined from retail to home and how the meaning of sustainability for colour transforms.Design/methodology/approach A qualitative methodology was employed with 27 informants, who were interviewed in pairs or in small groups of three.Findings First, colour meanings emerge outside the retail context, confirming the idea of the packaging journey. Colours are dynamic, as meanings are redefined throughout the voyage. In retail, colour conveys brand, product, environmental and origin-related meanings, while at home it conveys product, food- and health-related meanings. At the end of the journey, colour communicates disposal, environmental, health and origin-related meanings. Second, the meaning of sustainability for colour transforms during the voyage from being conveyed by a colour hue to being perceived as a material and, therefore, as a waste and recycling concern.Originality/value The study adds insight into the role of colour in the packaging life cycle, wherein colour transforms from a visual packaging cue to an issue of materiality. The recyclability of colours is a prevailing sustainability issue that deserves attention within the packaging industry. The study argues that although the consumer–packaging interaction in the retail context is essential, managers should recognise that the interaction continues with colours from in-store purchase decisions to consumers’ homes (use and recycling).

On the Selective Enzymatic Recycling of Poly(pentamethylene 2,5-furanoate)/Poly(lactic acid) Blends and Multiblock Copolymers.

Among novel renewable furanoate-based polyesters, poly(pentamethylene 2,5-furandicarboxylate) (PPeF) shows outstanding gas barrier properties and high flexibility. PPeF blending/copolymerization with another well-known bio-based polymer, poly(lactic acid) (PLA), leads to considerably better mechanical and gas barrier properties of the latter, making it suitable for flexible food packaging applications. In this work, enzymatic depolymerization of PLA/PPeF blends with different compositions (1, 3, 5, 20, 30, and 50 wt % PPeF) and a PLA-PPeF block copolymer (50 wt % PPeF) by cutinase 1 from Thermobifida cellulositilytica (Thc_Cut1) was investigated as a possible recycling strategy. Based on quantification of weight loss and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis of released molecules, faster hydrolysis was seen for PLA/PPeF blends with increasing PPeF content when compared to neat PLA, while the block copolymer (P(LA50PeF50)) was significantly less susceptible to hydrolysis. Surface morphology analysis (via scanning electron microscopy), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and NMR analysis confirmed preferential hydrolysis of the PPeF component. Through crystallization, 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid was selectively recovered from the depolymerized films and used for the resynthesis of the PPeF homopolymer, demonstrating the potential of enzymes for novel recycling concepts. The possibility of selective recovery of 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid from the completely depolymerized films with a 75% yield could bring further evidence of the high value of these materials, both in the form of blends and copolymers, for a sustainable whole packaging life cycle, where PPeF is potentially enzymatically recycled and PLA is mechanically recycled.

Methods for Life Cycle Evaluation and Design of Packaging

The current use of packaging provokes significant environmental impact. This impact comes from all stages of the packaging life cycle. In order to help in the design and development of packaging with minimal or no environmental impact, this article proposes a hybrid use that integrates descriptive and prescriptive methods. While descriptive methods aim at investigating and describing the environmental impact of packaging, prescriptive methods help to work on the planning and design of product packaging with environmental responsibility. Two descriptive assessment methods and three prescriptive design methods are proposed as viable options to be used in a hybrid approach to packaging design projects. Future work would inquire about case studies of the hybrid use proposed in real world or hypothetical packaging design projects.

The Key to Solving Plastic Packaging Wastes: Design for Recycling and Recycling Technology

Confronted with serious environmental problems caused by the growing mountains of plastic packaging waste, the prevention and control of plastic waste has become a major concern for most countries. In addition to the recycling of plastic wastes, design for recycling can effectively prevent plastic packaging from turning into solid waste at the source. The reasons are that the design for recycling can extend the life cycle of plastic packaging and increase the recycling values of plastic waste; moreover, recycling technologies are helpful for improving the properties of recycled plastics and expanding the application market for recycled materials. This review systematically discussed the present theory, practice, strategies, and methods of design for recycling plastic packaging and extracted valuable advanced design ideas and successful cases. Furthermore, the development status of automatic sorting methods, mechanical recycling of individual and mixed plastic waste, as well as chemical recycling of thermoplastic and thermosetting plastic waste, were comprehensively summarized. The combination of the front-end design for recycling and the back-end recycling technologies can accelerate the transformation of the plastic packaging industry from an unsustainable model to an economic cycle model and then achieve the unity of economic, ecological, and social benefits.

Replacing plastic with corrugated cardboard: A carbon footprint analysis of disposable packaging in a B2B global supply chain—A case study

Industry is increasingly committed to reduce its ecological footprint. One specific area of increased industrial interest is the use of plastic-free packaging. Plastic packaging is efficient from a supply chain perspective, but as waste risks causing disastrous environmental effects. This case study assesses the environmental impacts (from cradle to grave) of plastic cushioning inserts vs. corrugated cardboard cushioning inserts. The cushioning options have different measurements requiring different box sizes. The carbon footprint calculation covers the main phases of the packaging life cycle: manufacturing, transport and end-of-life processes. Calculation results show that the corrugated cardboard option has the highest carbon footprint, due to weight increase along with long transport distances and high dependence on airfreight. The results reinforce the importance of developing alternatives to plastic packaging without increasing packaging weight. Managerial implications and suggestions for policymakers are presented and discussed.

Environmental properties of packaging: the life cycle is like a vicious circle

The article discusses the environmental properties of packaging, new functions, the life cycle of packaging on the market, international, interstate and national environmental standards that recommend the best practices for handling packaging waste.

Emerging Technologies for Advanced 3D Package Characterization to Enable the More-Than-Moore Era

The line between packaging and silicon interconnect technology is blurring due to a reduction in package interconnect dimensions, which drives an increase in image resolution requirements. It is becoming more difficult to localize and image defects and structures throughout the packaging life cycle, from materials selection, through package and silicon design co-optimization, development, production, and field failure diagnostics. Characterization and failure analysis (FA) solutions must provide fast results for rapid development of packages meeting the required electrical, mechanical and reliability specifications with high yield and quality. Heterogeneous integration and complex packages containing multiple die drive new approaches to rapidly characterize structures, defects and processes. This paper presents new artificial intelligence (AI) developments in 3D X-ray microscopy (XRM) for non-destructive submicron-resolution imaging of packages. It also introduces the latest developments in focused ion beam (FIB) microscopes adapted with an integrated fs-laser for precise and fast analysis of deeply buried features in advanced packages.

Beyond the eco-design of case-ready beef packaging: The relationship between food waste and shelf-life as a key element in life cycle assessment

This study aims to compare the environmental impact of three food packaging systems (Overwrap: OW, High Oxygen Modified Atmosphere Packaging: MAP and Vacuum Skin: VS) currently used in beef meat market, including the potential waste effect that derives from shorter shelf-life in the inventory and assessment. The Life cycle Assessment method was used, and a “cradle-to-grave” approach was applied for both packaging and meat chains. The functional unit was defined as one unit of packaging containing 500 g of sliced beef. Considering only the packaging life cycle, the OW system has the best environmental performance in most of the environmental impact categories, while considering the potential food waste effects, results showed that the packaging system with the longest shelf-life (VS) represents the best environmental solution. Future eco-design approaches for packaging solutions for food products should consider the ability of reducing potential food waste, as a direct consequence of improved shelf-life.

Food Polymeric Packaging Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)

The Article Abstract is not available.

Smart Material Choice: The Importance of Circular Design Strategy Applications for Bio-Based Food Packaging Preproduction and End-of-Life Life Cycle Stages

This article provides a systematic literature review on the integrated approach of bio-based plastic food packaging in a circular economy. It focuses on the following key areas: (1) the role of bio-based plastic food packaging in a circular product design strategy and material choice in the preproduction life cycle stage; (2) the role of bio-based plastic food packaging in circular resource management systems and the product disposal life cycle stage; and (3) an optimal bio-based plastic food packaging application in regard to prioritising end-of-life treatment. While there are dedicated publications on the role of packaging in a circular economy, circular packaging design, packaging waste management, and bio-origin plastic applications in food packaging, this article aims to provide an integrated review and recommendations on the best bio-based plastic food packaging material selection, applications based on a circular economy, and scenarios on waste/resource management that prioritise end-of-life treatment. Three of the current most popular bio-based plastic materials in the flexible and rigid food packaging categories were selected: starch blends, bio-PE, and PLA for flexible food packaging and PLA, bio-PET, and bio-PE for rigid packaging. This article highlights the fact that a smart material choice in the circular design strategy is a key factor that has a direct impact on the last packaging life cycle stage (disposal), and concludes that bio-based plastic materials are a way to close the food packaging loop, either by re-use or recycling. This article also provides recommendations on the best bio-based plastic food packaging material selection, and applications based on the circular economy and waste management that prioritise end-of-life treatment. The research results indicate a research niche for the application of re-usable biodegradable materials in food packaging. The findings of this research allow product designers and packaging companies to advance the understanding of the most efficient bio-based plastic food packaging integration into the circular economy via decision making of product material choice and end-of-life treatment. Based on the results of this article, scholars can develop new themes for further research.

Circular Economy of Packaging and Relativity of Time in Packaging Life Cycle

This paper introduces a new methodology for the analysis of the time of recycling to compare different life cycle assessments (LCA). We apply the three variables that define the value creation principles in the Ellen MacArthur Foundation's definition of circularity: material, energy and time. Including time in the LCA methodology improves understanding of the system under study, especially for products that have a relatively short usage time compared to their recycling time. We developed a formula that includes the time necessary for obtaining the secondary material needed for "n+1" product. The paper shows that we need to consider the production of additional packaging products, quantity of which depends on the time needed for recycling, to develop comparative LCAs between systems that serve same function. The proposed approach to packaging LCA contributes to the scientific debate over the allocation of credits and burdens between several consecutive life cycles of a material.

Research and development of public service platform for integrated circuit test

Integrated circuit (IC) test is a key technical part of IC chain, which works through the entire life cycle of IC design, manufacturing, packaging, and application. Based on the increasing requirements of IC test, this paper analyzes the breakthrough point to promote the development of IC test and puts forward an accurate and feasible programme of public test platform construction so as to achieve long-term sustainable development of IC industry.