Packaging Recycling Research Articles

Market success through recycling programs: Strategic options, consumer reactions, and contingency factors

Environmental problems caused by waste are drawing growing concern worldwide. Such waste problems are even worse in many emerging markets, where waste is frequently mismanaged and thus causes significant environmental problems. To alleviate such waste problems and address stakeholders' growing environmental concerns, firms have launched recycling programs as one specific corporate social responsibility initiative. While past studies examine recycling programs from a technical perspective, very little research investigates the marketing benefits of such programs. This study draws on signaling theory to develop hypotheses about how firms can strategically design and market a recycling program to trigger positive consumer reactions. Using hierarchical linear modeling of survey data on mobile phone recycling programs across multiple brands, it finds that multiple strategic options of a recycling program (i.e., a product buyback program, product recycling convenience, and packaging recycling) differentially influence consumers’ brand attitudes, which consequently affect brand loyalty. Furthermore, an analysis of contingency factors (i.e., brand switching risk, public self-consciousness) suggests that a product recycling program affects brand attitudes only when the brand switching risk is low, and that packaging recycling affects brand attitudes more for consumers with higher public self-consciousness.

Editorial and News

Editorial and News

Influence of ecological cognition on consumers’ willingness to participate in beverage packaging recycling

Whether or not consumers participate in beverage packaging recycling is based on their ecological cognition to make the best choice under the comprehensive influence of rationality and perceptuality. After careful research, we shows that: ①ecological cognition has a significant role in promoting the willingness of consumers to participate in the recycling of beverage packaging; ②attitudes toward behavior, subject norms, and perceived behavioral control all have a significant impact on consumers’ willingness to participate in beverage packaging recycling; ③the exemplary norms have greater driving demonstration effects on consumers’ participation in the recycling of beverage packaging than the mandatory norms. Therefore, it is necessary to give full play to the guiding role of the media, increase the publicity of relevant policies such as protecting the ecological environment, and improve the supervision and management system of the urban ecological environment, actively mobilize consumers' willingness to participate in beverage packaging recycling.

Effect of Basalt Fibres on Thermal and Mechanical Properties of Recycled Multi-Material Packaging

The low-density polyethylene (LDPE)/aluminium mix obtained after the recovery of cellulose from multilayer aseptic packaging used in the food and beverage industry is generally destined for energy recovery. In this work we propose it as a matrix for value-added composite materials. A commercially available material (EcoAllene) obtained from multilayer packaging recycling was reinforced with short natural basalt fibres up to 30 wt.% by twin screw extrusion, aiming at improving the mechanical profile of such material and widening its applications. Thermal characterizations by thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry showed that the material is indeed a complex mixture of LDPE, HDPE, PP, and aluminium. Basalt fibres did not modify the melting and crystallization profile as well as the global degradation behaviour. Composites were then subjected to tensile, bending, Charpy impact tests and the fracture surfaces were investigated by scanning electron microscopy. Results highlighted a beneficial effect of basalt fibres to stiffness and strength in both loading conditions, with improvements by 107% and 162% for tensile and bending strength, respectively, which were linked also to a 45% enhancement of impact strength. This increased mechanical performance is promising for their use in automotive interiors and outdoor decking applications.

Bioactive Films Based on Starch from White, Red, and Black Rice to Food Application.

Packages from renewable sources have been the focus of many studies, due to the consumer needs for high-quality food, environmental concern related to the inadequate discard of packaging, low percentage of packaging recycling, and starch application by a viable method. Thus, this work aimed to develop bioactive packages based on white, red, and black rice starch and analyze the influence of macromolecule and plasticizer type, even its blends, on the characteristics of films. Films were characterized by color, opacity, thickness, water solubility, water vapor permeability, and bioactive properties. The use of rice starch in the development of edible and/or biodegradable films was feasible, with all the formulations tested presenting a homogeneous matrix and the films obtained varying in hue, to the naked eye, as a function of the starch used. Variation of the type of starch and plasticizer, as well as the concentrations of the same, resulted in films with differences in all studied properties. Films prepared with 5% of starch and 30% of sorbitol showed phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity, using the DPPH and ABTS methods, indicating that these can be considered bioactive packages and also suitable for food application.

Sustainable marketing innovation and consumption: Evidence from cold chain food online retail

As reports on the gap between consumer awareness and behaviors in sustainable consumption increase, the effects of sustainable marketing innovation services on alleviating this gap are attracting more and more attention. This study integrates innovation diffusion theory, perceived value theory, and planned behavior theory to study the impact of online retail food cold chain recyclable express package marketing innovation. Specifically, it explores the antecedents, consequences, and mediating factors of sustainable marketing innovation in guiding consumers to participate in express packaging recycling. Survey data were obtained from 581 individuals in the area of Seoul, South Korea, and they were analyzed using structural equation modeling. This study found that the five innovation diffusion characteristics of sustainable marketing innovation services (comparative advantage, compatibility, complexity, trialability, and observability) each have a significant impact on consumers' participation in express packaging recycling. In addition, consumer's perceived value and satisfaction are effective mediators for promoting consumers' participation in express package recycling. This study enriches the literature on enterprise sustainable marketing innovation services using a theory-driven approach and provides practical insights into the effectiveness of using a marketing innovation service to achieve cleaner production for enterprises.

Proposal of a hybrid decision-making framework for the prioritization of express packaging recycling patterns

Proposal of a hybrid decision-making framework for the prioritization of express packaging recycling patterns

The impact of packaging recyclable ability on environment: Case and scenario analysis of polypropylene express boxes and corrugated cartons

With the push for sustainable design strategies, recyclable packaging is widely favored by the public in the express delivery industry due to its potential for lowering environmental burden and solving climatic challenges. The goal of this paper was to quantify and integrate the environmental footprints of polypropylene hollow board express box (PPH-EB) and establish evaluation model between the recyclable ability and environment performance (EMRE) based on life cycle assessment. This work was carried out by multiple indicators to avoid environmental problem-shifting, and corrugated cartons express box (C-EB) was taken as control objects. The results show that integrated index of PPH-EB is 94.42% lower than that of C-EB. Industrial Water Use (IWU), Primary Energy Demand (PED) and SO2 are major factors affecting results of PPH-EB, which mainly come from polypropylene particles and water resource consumption from recycle process. The most obvious advantage of PPH-EB compared with C-EB is the nearly 1700 times difference in normalized COD index caused by direct emission of paper preparation process. Scenario analysis showed that integrated index of PPH-EB was lower than that of traditional corrugated cartons after more than twice of use, but if the recycling times of PPH-EB continued to increase, the effect on reducing environmental burden was no longer significant. Therefore, although the recyclable times plays a role in decreasing the environmental impact, it is not a permanent strategy. In the design stage of the recyclable express box, the recyclable ability should be reasonably designed through EMRE, so as to minimize the environmental burden.

Lifocolor expands recycling product range and offers NIR-detectable masterbatches on recyclate basis

Masterbatch manufacturer Lifocolor is expanding its LifoCycle product range. The product line designed to improve the recyclability of plastic components and packaging will get additions of white and NIR-detectable black concentrates, as well as a content protection additive, based 100 percent on recycled polymers.

Multi-criteria Group Decision-Making Approach for Express Packaging Recycling Under Interval-Valued Fuzzy Information: Combining Objective and Subjective Compatibilities

Multi-criteria Group Decision-Making Approach for Express Packaging Recycling Under Interval-Valued Fuzzy Information: Combining Objective and Subjective Compatibilities

Quantity- and quality-oriented scenario optimizations for the material recycling of plastic packaging in Japan

In Japan, the material recycling (MR) of plastic packaging waste faces several problems. Almost half of the collected waste plastics become residue, and the quality of recycled resins is not high because the mixture of various types of plastics makes sorting by resin type difficult. Therefore, an appropriate combination of source separation targets and sorting processes based on plastic type needs to be explored to increase the quantity of waste plastics recycled and enhance the quality of recovered plastics. Furthermore, the acceptability of recovered plastics as raw materials for use in plastic products needs to be assessed by matching the quantity and quality of recovered plastics with the demand and quality requirements of resin users. In this study, we evaluated the purity and quantity of plastics recovered by resin type for 80 combinations of source-separation targets and sorting processes based on the results of a sorting experiment using an actual optical sorter. Then, we developed recycling scenarios that optimized the quantity and/or quality of plastics recovered for MR by allocating waste plastics to the 80 source-separation/sorting schemes using linear programming with the upper limit of the acceptable amounts of recovered plastics and quality constraints. We found that the recycling target established by the Japanese government could be reached, if resin users proactively accepted recycled resin. On the other hand, the current rate of MR could be maintained solely with high-quality recovered plastics, if the collection rate for recycling and the acceptable amounts of the high-quality recovered plastics were significantly boosted.

User centred design and energy efficient packaging collection infrastructure supporting circular future lifestyles

The collection and recycling of packaging and life cycle assessments have traditionally been developed from a technical perspective, not including the actors in the chain. How recycling should be done depends on who you ask, and whether you look at the issue from an energy, material, legal or user perspective. FTI, the Packaging and Newspaper Collection organization is responsible for better circularity and collecting these fractions in Sweden’s municipalities. When recyclable materials end up in the wrong place, it causes problems leading to increased energy use in the life cycle. The ongoing project Tjårven, aims to reduce energy use in connection with packaging collection, as well as potential energy gains in the second stage of the packaging life cycle, by redesigning packaging collection from a user centred perspective. To do this, design interventions are developed based on observed and self-reported user behaviour, a literature review of state-of-the-art collection infrastructure and an understanding of the system developed using actor-based LCA methodology. The latter methodology is used to show the energy use in the lifecycle, including the actions of the actors in the chain. The interventions developed will be tested through a case study that will be evaluated to see if it helps to achieve more energy efficient collection infrastructure, allowing for better circularity and therefore more sustainable future lifestyles. The present article presents the first part of the project, summarizing the results from the user centred observations, literature review and initial actor-based LCA model.

Quantification of food packaging generation and material loss from major retailers in Taipei, Taiwan.

Packaging accounts for the largest demand for global plastic consumption and around 60% is for food and beverage packaging. The amount of packaging is increasing rapidly due to the expansion of retailer industries, especially in supermarkets and convenience stores. Plastic recycling strategies for food packaging in retailer industries need to be developed, but the current consumption and recycling status is not clear. To address this knowledge gap, this study quantifies the food packaging generation from major supermarket and convenience store chains in Taipei, Taiwan. We focus on the composition, recycling habit, and the recycling status to evaluate the packaging recyclability and major pathways for material losses. Based on our field survey and analysis, the total amount of plastic packaging generation was 21846.04 tons in 2020 with 64.99% of it being recycled. We defined the recycling rates as the continued product of Recyclable Content Ratio of the packaging itself, Sorting Accuracy Ratio of consumers, and Re-granulated Ratio in the final treatment facilities. These three ratios for major food categories were also presented to identify the hotspots of material losses. Our results suggest that to promote plastic food packaging recycling, identifying the limitations in different stages and designing corresponding strategies is crucial.

Development of New Thermosetting Resins from Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Wastes

In an attempt to cover the needs and requirements of consumers, packaging without good recyclability is sometimes introduced in the market. This is more evident in the case of polyethylene terephthalate (PET). PET is a highly recyclable material that results in a recycled product with enhanced quality. However, there are other type of PET multilayered packaging that are being introduced in the market. These packaging products include additional materials such as other type of polymers, metals, paper, etc., as well as different type of pigments, colouring agents and impurities confering a critical colour to the packaging. When this new packaging arrives to the recycler it generates problems, resulting in low quality products or even rejected, being deposited in landfill. This implies an important environmental reduction (mainly in the CO2 emissions) and in the economic affairs. For this reason, the recycling companies and, in general, waste management companies, are interested in alternatives that allow these residues to have a viable outlet. This development is presented as a solution to the problem of these particular PET multilayered residues. The main objective is the industrial development of thermosetting resins (alkyds and unsaturated polyesters) that include in their composition materials obtained from the chemical recycling of these multilayered packaging, at an affordable price and with reduced environmental impact.

Delamination of polyamide/polyolefin multilayer films by selective glycolysis of polyurethane adhesive

Sustainable solvent mediated recycling of plastic multilayer packaging by splitting of polyurethane adhesive glue.

SAFETY OF CONSUMER GOODS AS THE MAIN PROBLEM OF MODERN COMMODITY SCIENCE

The problem of the safety of consumer goods and the way they are stored is relevant in the modern world. Particular attention is paid to the issue of packaging, namely the choice of this type of packaging, which will not harm the health of consumers. the issue of reducing the negative impact on the environment is also important. Currently, one of the main directions in the development of commodity science is the problem of the safety of consumer goods. With the development of scientific and technological progress and the globalization of production, the number and scale of goods produced are constantly increasing. In these conditions, control over the complete quality control of the product itself is lost. Therefore, the issue of product safety is becoming increasingly important. The main task of product quality control is to provide consumers with products that will not harm their physical and psychological health. Harmful substances pose a danger not only to humans, but also to the environment. The packaging of goods also has a negative impact on nature. It is necessary to ensure the ability to decompose in nature or to introduce systems for the recycling of such materials (recycling). Today, the pollution of the environment in Ukraine with harmful substances is quite high, but modern science is able to minimize this problem as much as possible. The article discusses the existing types of dangers from low-quality food products, the negative impact of some types of packaging on human health. The main possible ways of processing the packaging of goods after their consumption are considered. The authors believe that in Ukraine it is necessary to strengthen the quality control of goods, introduce and stimulate the development of recycling and disposal of packaging to ensure the preservation of the health of citizens and reduce the impact on the environment of negative factors of human existence. The authors noted that in order to minimize the negative impact on the environment, manufacturers need to use safe materials for packaging. Consumers are encouraged to support those manufacturers who produce quality products and promote innovative recycling systems. The production of ecological, safe goods, their safe processing and disposal, ecological packaging do not lose their relevance and have become one of the main directions of development of modern commodity science.

Automotive Hazardous Waste Management in Automotive Shops of Indonesia’s Metropolitan City. Case Study: Bandung City, West Java Province

Abstract The number of vehicles in Bandung City continues to increase every year in line with the growth of motorized vehicle repair shops, thereby increasing the generation of hazardous waste from automotive shop activities. Based on Indonesia’s Governmental Decree 101 of 2014, vehicle maintenance and repair activities are one of the businesses that produce hazardous waste. This study focused on licensed and unlicensed automotive shops in Bandung City using stratified sampling methods by determining waste generation and composition, evaluating existing management systems, followed by developing management system alternatives. In determining the generation and composition of hazardous waste from automotive shop activities, a sampling of 42 unlicensed automotive shops and 11 unlicensed automotive shops in 3 areas of Bandung City was conducted. Sampling results of hazardous waste generation are 1.83 kg/vehicle/day for motorcycle automotive shops and 6.90 kg/vehicle/day for car automotive shops. The largest composition of hazardous waste produced in licensed shops is used oil with a proportion of 29.60 % and metal scrap component with a proportion of 35.83 % for unlicensed automotive shops. The projection results of hazardous waste generation in 2021 are around 774.26 tonnes/day. If the hazardous waste generated is not properly managed it can pose a risk to human health and the environment. An integrated management system for hazardous waste consists of packaging activity, storage activity, collection, transportation, and recycling activity.

Research on the Design of Intelligent Recycling System for Cosmetics Based on Extenics

To solve the contradiction between the high cost of recycling cosmetics and the low selling price of materials in the market, improving the efficiency of recycling, reducing the cost of recycling, and promoting the recycling of packaging, the extension innovation method is applied to the design of an intelligent recycling system for cosmetics. We first analyze the unmet needs of the recycling party, establish the extenics model of the contradictory problem, and determine the functional affair-element, the property feature-element, and the substantial feature-element of the recycling system. We then perform expansion analysis and topological transformation on the conjugate part, obtain multiple design solutions, judge whether the contradictory problem is solved, and derive the optimal solution by the superiority evaluation method. Finally, we deepen the innovation scheme and verify the prospect of the application of extenics innovation method in the field of cosmetics recycling.

Synergistic reinforced superhydrophobic paper with green, durability, and antifouling function

Among the various paper-based technologies that exist today, superhydrophobic paper has attracted considerable attention owing to its incredible repellency and antifouling behavior against both water and oil based liquids. However, its practical applications are limited due to its poor durability and the use of fluorochemicals during the preparation process, which are harmful to both humans and environment. Herein, we developed a synergistic reinforced superhydrophobic paper (SRSP) using green-based waxes as an adhesive for grafting hydrophobic nanoparticles, thereby reducing safety and environmental concerns as well as improving durability. The resulting paper exhibits strong durability to sandpaper abrasion, finger-wipe, knife-scratch, tape-peeling, bending, folding, and sustained exposure to corrosion media. Additionally, not only does the SRSP surface directly prevented adhesion of water-based contaminants (e.g., muddy water, coca cola, or milk), but also indirectly repelled solid contaminants (e.g., hydrophilic or hydrophobic particles) upon washing with water, thereby demonstrating highly efficient antifouling ability. Intriguingly, the silicone oil-infused SRSP surface could easily repelled low-surface-energy droplets such as hot water, oil, or fouled oil. It is envisioned that the SRSP developed in this study can find potential applications in microfluidics, recyclable packaging materials, paper-based flexible electronics, and new sophisticated membrane-type materials.

Smart-City Regulation

Consider that 26.3 million people live in Shanghai and 20 million live in Beijing as of 2019. Now consider that these 46.3 million people live within an area of approximately 23,000 km². By comparison, Canada’s population in 2019 was 37.6 million and the area of Canada is approximately 10 million km². China is on the leading edge of smart-city projects because population density gives it little choice. China must take bold steps in terms of both technology and regulation to cope with the demands for social management, which these megacities create. Accordingly, about half of the Smart City Projects globally are in China. 
 Many smart cities pilot projects are underway across China addressing many infrastructures and other organizational concerns. One such organizational concern is coping with the solid waste generated in cities. China produces more than 300 million tons of solid waste per year, and much of it comes from its cities.
 
 This research project explores China's food and beverage delivery online platforms and the waste they cause. In 2019, this industry has developed rapidly, generating economic activity valued at ¥ 653.6 billion that year ($CAD 121 billion). Out of a total population of 1.4 billion, 460 million people are currently consumers of these online platforms. Most of these consumers live in China’s megacities. This consumption is not projected to decrease post-pandemic. The problem is that solid waste from this industry in 2019 weighed approximately 2.7 million tons.
 
 This paper analyzes reasons why the online food take-out industry has caused a plastic waste surge from the perspective of China's environmental legislation, law enforcement efficiency, and recycling subsidies. At the same time, through the case study of the German Packaging Law, this paper suggested on the management and recycling of Chinese take-out packaging were put forward.
 
 The Chinese government has issued national standards for the design and construction of smart cities. This paper explores how to use legal governance and supervision in smart city design and operation to assist in implementing environmental regulations to control the take-out waste. The take-out waste problem does not only exist in China. Almost all major cities in the world are facing this problem. China's experiences may provide a new path for the city's solid waste disposal and other environmental issues and lead the cities to explore more environmental protection possibilities.