Reducing Packaging Waste Research Articles

Food packaging technology considerations for designers: Attending to food, consumer, manufacturer, and environmental issues.

Food packaging is essential for preserving food safety and quality while also addressing environmental concerns. Designers are at the forefront of developing packaging solutions that not only meet functional requirements but also align with evolving consumer preferences and sustainability concerns. To inform designers, this paper discusses fundamental principles of food packaging technology, encompassing aspects such as food preservation, distribution, marketing, usability, and disposal. It provides examples of innovations in active and smart packaging, nanotechnology, material biodegradability, and recyclability, as well as strategies to reduce packaging waste. By providing future food packaging designers with this essential knowledge and these insights, we hope to encourage them to contribute to future innovations that meet the needs of consumers and the environment.

Green Logistics 5.0: a review of sustainability-oriented innovation with foundation models in logistics

PurposeThe paper uses foundation models to integrate the green approach in Logistics 5.0. Such integration is innovative in logistics and leads to a more sustainable and prosperous future. By harnessing the power of foundation models and incorporating sustainable principles, this paper can systematize the logistics industry’s environmental framework, increase its social responsibility and ensure its long-term economic viability.Design/methodology/approachGeneralizing environmental sustainability goals requires a multi-layered innovation approach incorporating corporate philosophy, products, processes and business models. In this paper, this comprehensive approach is not just a strategy but a necessity in the current global context. This paper uses the sustainability-oriented innovation (SOI) method, crucial for achieving explicit environmental, social and economic impacts.FindingsArtificial intelligence, especially foundation models, can contribute to green logistics by optimizing routes, reducing packaging waste, improving warehouse layouts and other functions presented in the paper. At the same time, they can also consider social, economic and governance goals.Research limitations/implicationsArtificial intelligence algorithms present challenges such as high initial investment, regulatory compliance and technological integration.Practical implicationsThe paper contains implications for developing environmentally sustainable logistics, which is currently one of the most significant challenges. The framework presented can apply to logistics companies.Originality/valueThis paper fulfills an identified need to study sustainability in logistics. The framework is entirely original and not present in the literature. It is essential to help design and implement innovative logistics approaches.

Scheduling of e-commerce packaging machines: blocking machines and their impact on the performance–waste tradeoff

AbstractTo streamline their fulfillment processes, many e-commerce retailers today use automated packaging machines for their outbound parcels. An important performance–waste tradeoff is associated with these machines: To reduce packaging waste when handling different sized goods, packaging machines should be able to handle different carton sizes. However, more carton sizes lead to a more involved scheduling process, so that the throughput performance deteriorates (and vice versa). To investigate this tradeoff, this paper develops scheduling procedures for a specific type of packaging machine, called blocking machines. These packaging machines provide multiple back-to-back packaging devices, each continuously processing a dedicated carton size, but blocking each other whenever incoming goods are not properly ordered according to carton sizes on the infeed conveyor. To reduce the resulting throughput loss, we derive various scheduling problems for optimizing the inflow of goods, provide a thorough analysis of the computational complexity, and derive an exact dynamic programming approach that is polynomial in the number of orders to be packed. This allows us to solve even large real-world instances to proven optimality with which we can analyze the performance–waste tradeoff of blocking machines.

Управління відходами упаковки: європейські стандарти та законодавство України

The article is devoted to the study of the current state and prospects of implementation into national legislation of the normative provisions of the European Union in the field of waste management, in particular the Directive of the European Parliament and the Council “On packaging and packaging waste” (1994, December 20) No. 94/62/EU. Ukraine undertook to implement a number of Directives in the field of waste management. After the enactment of the Law of Ukraine “On Waste Management”, which takes into account European approaches based, in particular, on the provisions of the Framework Directive of the European Parliament and the Council No. 2008/98/EU of November 19, 2008 “On Waste and Repeal of Certain Directives”, a draft law on packaging and packaging waste has been developed. This draft law is aimed at determining the legal, economic and organizational principles in the field of handling packaging and packaging waste. The main European approaches involve significantly reducing packaging waste, adopting mandatory re-use targets, limiting unnecessary packaging and minimizing packaging, restricting certain types of packaging and using reusable packaging etc. Compliance with European standards in the field of packaging and packaging waste management means not only the adoption of a special law, but also the implementation of an effective mechanism, tools that ensure the organization of the system for preventing the generation of packaging waste, their processing and reuse. Packaging waste management is an important and complex area of waste management that requires the implementation of various measures, including development of infrastructure for separate collection of packaging waste, carrying out information and educational campaigns to raise public awareness of handling packaging waste, implementation of scientific research work in the field of progressive technologies of processing and production of products from secondary raw materials, introduction of a system of obligations and incentives for business entities and citizens that contribute to the prevention and minimization of packaging waste generation, prosecution for violations of packaging waste management rules.

Development and characterization of cranberry pomace extract incorporated and vitamin E fortified edible films as an edible separation sheet for fruit leather.

The separation sheets for fruit leather are traditionally made of plastic film or wax paper, which not only leads to environmental issues but also is inconvenience to consumers. This study evaluated edible fruit leather separation sheets using food polymers, including hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) and incorporation of cranberry pomace water extract (CPE) for providing natural fruit pigment, flavor, and phenolics. HPMCCPE film was then further improved by incorporating hydrophobic compound (oleic acid, OA) and vitamin E (VE) via cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) Pickering emulsion (CNCP) for enhancing film hydrophobicity and nutritional benefit, respectively. The CNCP-HPMCCPE film exhibited reduced water vapor permeability (∼0.033gmm/m2dPa) compared to HPMCCPE film (∼0.59gmm/m2dPa) and had the least change in mass and moisture content when wrapping fruit leather for up to 2 weeks of ambient storage. The fruit leather wrapped by CNCP-HPMCCPE film showed lower weight change than those by films without CNCP due to low mass transfer between film and fruit leather. CNCP resulted in controlled release of VE into a food simulating solvent (ethanol). The developed colorful and edible fruit leather separation sheet satisfied the increased market demands on sustainable food packaging. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Colorful and flavorful edible films made of edible polymers, fruit pomace water extract, and emulsified hydrophobic compounds with vitamin E were created. The films have the satisfactory performance to replace the conventional fruit leather separation sheet made of plastic or wax paper. The edible films can be eaten with packaged fruit leather for not only reducing packaging waste but also providing convenience and nutritional benefit to consumers. These functional edible films may also be utilized to package other food products for promoting packaging sustainability and nutritional benefit.

An analysis of conventional and modern packaging approaches for cut flowers: a review article.

Fresh-cut flowers are considered to be one of the most delicate and challenging commercial crops. It is important to take into consideration how to minimize loss during storage and transportation when preserving cut flowers. Many impinging (bad effect) forces can interact to shorten the flowers' vase life. In the flower industry, effective methods need to be developed to extend freshly cut flowers' life. Fresh-cut flowers' vase life can be shortened by a variety of interlocking causes. The flower industry must develop new techniques to extend the flowers' vase lifespan. This review provides comprehensive, up-to-date information on classical, modified atmosphere packaging (MAP), and controlled atmosphere packaging (CAP) displays. According to this review, a promising packaging technique for fresh flowers can be achieved through smart packaging. A smart package is one that incorporates new technology to increase its functionality. This combines active packaging, nanotechnology, and intelligence. This technology makes it easier to keep an eye on the environmental variables that exist around the packaged flowers to enhance their quality. This article offers a comprehensive overview of creative flower-saving packaging ideas that reduce flower losses and assist growers in handling more effectively their flower inventory. To guarantee the quality of flowers throughout the marketing chain, innovative packaging techniques and advanced packaging technologies should be adopted to understand various package performances. This will provide the consumer with cut flowers of standard quality. Furthermore, sustainable packaging is achieved with circular packaging. We can significantly reduce packaging waste's environmental impact by designing reused or recyclable packaging.

MONITORING OF MODERN CARBON FRACTION IN DISPOSABLE PACKAGING

ABSTRACT Radiocarbon (14C) methodology was used to investigate the presence of biocarbon in different bio-based disposable packaging products. Packaging waste contributes to a municipal solid waste, which is increasing environmental concerns and resulting in the enhancement of EU regulations that aim to reduce packaging waste. The 14C amount in samples reflects how much of the biocarbon has been used. In this study, the concentration of 14C was determined in commonly used types of disposable packaging, such as cups, plates, straws, cutlery, and baking paper. Samples were made of materials such as paper, wheat bran, sugarcane, and wood. The mean concentration of the 14C isotope, measured by the accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) technique, is greater than 100 pMC in all tested samples, indicating that the samples are modern. The relatively high 14C concentration values in the waterproof layer of the sample indicate that bioplastic, rather than plastic, was used in its production. The highest 14C isotope concentration values were measured for samples that used the oldest biomass (wood and paper), and the lowest for products from current crops (sugarcane and wheat bran), which is consistent with the trend of changes in 14C concentration in the biosphere. The study also addresses the problem of heterogeneity and representativeness of subsamples.

Analisis Penyebab Cacat Pada Kemasan Di Perusahaan Farmasi

With the increasing era of globalization today, competition in the industrial sector is becoming increasingly fierce and competitive. With the development of modern technology for the better but on the other hand raises problems for the environment. Every business actor who wants to win the competition must pay full attention to the quality of the products or services produced, at a low cost, the right time and quantity, and safe conditions. This study aims to analyze and reduce waste of packaging waste at PT XYZ, a manufacturing company engaged in the manufacture of medicines and vaccines. In the last 7 months, there were 1,906 pcs of defective packaging out of a total of 204,940 pcs used. The defects were caused by mold, misprinted information, faded colors, and lack of glue on the packaging. The methods used in this research are Pareto diagram and fishbone diagram. Pareto diagrams are used to identify dominant product defects, while fishbone diagrams are used to identify the causes of defects. It is expected that the results of this research can help PT XYZ reduce packaging waste and improve the quality of their products. By reducing packaging waste, PT XYZ can also contribute to reducing negative impacts on the environment.

Packaging Waste in the Supply Chain: A Systematic Literature Review

Packaging plays an important role in daily life, such as protecting the product during the transport process and extending the shelf life of the food. While people enjoy the convenience that packaging brings to our lives, packaging waste also has caused huge impacts on the environment. With the increasing awareness of the environmental impacts of packaging, reducing packaging waste is expanding rapidly across the sectors. It is found that nowadays, people’s lives are inseparable from packaging, and each person generates a large amount of packaging waste every day. In Chapter Three, options for reducing the packaging waste are discussed, including reduction, recycling, and reusing packaging. Although these methods are effective in reducing packaging waste, they still cannot completely eliminate packaging waste. In the discussion, the author presents some suggestions for reducing the environmental impacts by reducing packaging waste in the future.

Developing a Prolamin-Based Gel for Food Packaging: In-Vitro Assessment of Cytocompatibility.

Growing environmental concerns drive efforts to reduce packaging waste by adopting biodegradable polymers, coatings, and films. However, biodegradable materials used in packaging face challenges related to barrier properties, mechanical strength, and processing compatibility. A composite gel was developed using biodegradable compounds (prolamin, d-mannose, citric acid), as a coating to increase the oxygen barrier of food packaging materials. To improve gel stability and mechanical properties, the gels were physically cross-linked with particles synthesized from tetraethyl orthosilicate and tetramethyl orthosilicate precursors. Additionally, biocompatibility assessments were performed on human keratinocytes and fibroblasts, demonstrating the safety of the gels for consumer contact. The gel properties were characterized, including molecular structure, morphology, and topography. Biocompatibility of the gels was assessed using bioluminescent ATP assay to detect cell viability, lactate dehydrogenase assay to determine cell cytotoxicity, and a leukocyte stimulation test to detect inflammatory potential. A composite gel with strong oxygen barrier properties in low-humidity environments was prepared. Increasing the silane precursor to 50 wt% during gel preparation slowed degradation in water. The addition of citric acid decreased gel solubility. However, higher precursor amounts increased surface roughness, making the gel more brittle yet mechanically resistant. The increase of precursor in the gel also increased gel viscosity. Importantly, the gels showed no cytotoxicity on human keratinocytes or fibroblasts and had no inflammatory effects on leukocytes. This composite gel holds promise for oxygen barrier food packaging and is safe for consumer contact. Further research should focus on optimizing the stability of the oxygen barrier in humid environments and investigate the potential sensitizing effects of biodegradable materials on consumers.

Fruit Grading System

Fruit grading systems are critical for ensuring the quality, consistency, and efficiency of fruit production and distribution. These systems utilize advanced technologies such as computer vision and automation to accurately identify and classify fruit based on various quality parameters such as size, colour, and blemishes. The use of automated grading systems reduces the need for manual labour, increases throughput, and improves accuracy by minimizing human error. This results in a faster and more efficient grading process that can handle large volumes of fruit quickly and consistently, reducing the time and cost of fruit grading. Additionally, fruit grading systems play a crucial role in reducing waste and promoting sustainability in the fruit industry. By accurately grading fruit, less high-quality fruit goes to waste, and resources are used more efficiently. Grading systems can also identify opportunities for optimization, such as reducing packaging waste or identifying areas for process improvement. Overall, fruit grading systems are essential for ensuring high-quality fruit that meets the demands of the industry while also promoting sustainability and efficient distribution. Key Words: Object Detection, Computer Vision, Machine Learning, Deep Learning, Fruit Grading, TensorFlow.

Switching to reuse? An exploration of consumers’ perceptions and behaviour towards reusable packaging systems

Reusable packaging systems (RPSs) can significantly reduce single-use packaging waste. However, knowledge about consumers’ adoption of this kind of packaging is scarce. We adopted a qualitative approach using in-depth interviews with consumers (n = 27) who had actually used an RPS and follow-up phone interviews to capture consumer behaviour at home. This exploratory study examines how packaging and system design not only influence usage by consumers but also serve as enablers and barriers for consumers at different stages of the consumption process. Our findings uncover that although consumers generally exhibited positive attitudes and good feelings about reducing packaging waste by using an RPS, they also raised concerns, such as about product quality, safety, contamination and financial investments, and they expressed scepticism about the environmental impacts through using the system and reported inconveniences at different stages. These results provide a comprehensive understanding of consumers’ perceptions of RPSs and can facilitate further development.

CHOOSING PRODUCTS WITH SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING: ANALYSIS OF FACTORS INFLUENCING CONSUMER BEHAVIOUR

Managing waste is a challenge both globally and locally. Sorting and recycling alone are not enough to reduce waste. Consumers’ mindset should change to buying less, using what they already have for longer, avoiding disposable tableware containers and reducing the purchases of packaged foods. The aim of the study is to understand consumer attitudes and engagement in the improving waste management, and to find out what factors influence consumers' behaviour when choosing products with sustainable packaging. Used methods: questionnaires and an interview with a representative of a zero-waste store. The results indicate that nearly 90% of respondents are aware of the issue and are already taking action to reduce packaging waste. The main factors influencing consumers' purchasing behaviour towards package-free products are income level and product price.

Bibliometric Mapping Analysis of Nanocrystalline Starch in Food Packaging Application using VOSviewer

Biodegradable materials needed to reduce packaging waste and extend food shelf life. Starch nanomaterials are one of the promising alternatives as environmentally friendly sustainable food packaging for single-use products. This study was to conduct a bibliometric analysis of starch nanocrystal research in food packaging applications using mapping analysis on VOSviewer software. Data was obtained from Google Scholar search which is integrated with Publish or Perish as a reference application. The data search was based on the keywords “nanocrystalline, starch, food, packaging, chemistry”. The results showed that there were 1000 articles that met the research keyword criteria with visualization showing 269 items and 10706 links divided into 8 clusters. The results of the analysis show that the number of research publications from 2012 to 2022 has increased every year until 2021. However, in 2022 the number of articles published decreased quite dramatically. This research is expected to help further researchers and be a consideration in deciding the research topic.

국내 택배화물의 안전운송 및 적정포장을 위한 Field-to-Lab 시험방법 연구

The growth of e-commerce market requires more delivery packagings, which protect goods from the damage factors on the delivery. In this study, we have analyzed the distribution environment data (vibration and impact) measured in previous study and compared with global standards (ISTA, ASTM), so that we developed the testing method for Fieldto- Lab simulation suitable to the domestic delivery. In order to verify the efficacy of this method, we took the Field-to- Lab tests for 3 packaged products (detergents set, glass tableware set, small furniture), which has been frequent breakages or damages on the actual delivery by e-commerce order, so that we could find out the test results were similar to those of the actual delivery occasions. In addition, we could perform redesign and improvement of the parcel delivery packagings for safe transportation by taking this Field-to-Lab test repeatedly. This test methods was finally proposed to be Korean industrial standard (KS), and is expected to be useful as a designing tool for the packaging optimization between protecting goods and reducing packaging waste.

Quality Enhancement in Seaweed Dodol Using Edible Film Carrageenan Packaging

The addition of seaweed raw materials to produce a varied taste of dodol, the texture of dodol is softer and rich in fiber, especially soluble fiber. To maintain the quality of dodol with edible film packaging materials, it can reduce packaging waste, maintain aroma and appearance, and prevent contamination and microorganisms. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of the application of carrageenan edible film packaging used on the quality of seaweed dodol. This study used a completely randomized design (CRD) with three treatments and four replications. The parameters tested were the measurement of the total number of bacteria, water content, and organoleptic. Data were analyzed using ANOVA test and continued with Duncan's test. The results showed that packaging with edible film carrageenan was able to maintain the total number of bacteria in dodol according to SNI until the 48th hour at room temperature storage, which was less than 5.0x105 colonies/g. The total number of bacteria in the seaweed dodol packaged in edible film was 1.61x105 colonies/g, which was lower than the seaweed dodol using baking paper packaging. The packaging of seaweed dodol using edible film can maintain the sensory value of the product for up to three days at room temperature.

The 7 Rs sustainable packaging framework: Systematic review of sustainable packaging solutions in the apparel and footwear industry

The apparel and footwear industry creates large amounts of packaging waste that filter through the entire value chain. Although retailers are making efforts to reduce packaging waste, there is a lack of understanding of the sustainable packaging solutions already available. To address this knowledge gap, this research provides a framework that highlights new theoretical and practical advances in sustainable packaging. The study follows the principles of systematic review research methodology. A data-mining approach was utilized to execute the website search. Thematic content clustering was applied for iterative data analysis. The sample included 478 international retail brands advertising sustainable packaging solutions. The key findings of the study indicate that the 7R's approach might be considered a gradual pathway towards sustainable packaging where the proposed framework includes mutually inclusive and complementary approaches. Such a holistic framework can aid retailers in establishing new or revised criteria to advance sustainable packaging solutions.

Do efforts to reduce packaging waste impact preferences for meal kits?

The food industry has been innovative in developing new products and services in response to the increasing demand for healthy and convenient food. Meal kits, a growing segment in the market, provide pre-measured bundles of raw ingredients with recipe cards for a complete home-cooked meal. However, to ensure food safety and quality, meal kits sold online come with a lot of packaging, creating waste. This study examines the market for meal kits as an example of healthy and convenient food, paying particular attention to the impact of packaging waste on consumer behavior. First, the willingness to pay for key attributes of meal kits is estimated, including whether the meal kit is ordered on meal kit websites or purchased at grocery stores. Second, the impact of providing eco-friendly packaging on the choice of purchasing platforms (online vs. offline) is investigated. Based on 1,217 primary grocery shoppers in the US, results reveal that consumers have a higher willingness to pay for meal kits sold at grocery stores, with organic, local, and pre-cut ingredients. The provision of fully recyclable insulation packaging helps consumers feel more positive regarding online meal kit packaging. However, it does not lead to any changes in the preference of purchasing platforms, showing a robust preference for buying meal kits at grocery stores.

Integrated product and packaging decisions with secondary packaging returns and protective packaging management

The generation of packaging waste has fast become a supply chain management concern, especially with the growth of e-commerce. This calls for an integrated understanding of the product-packaging-supply chain system, which is currently nascent in the research literature. The present study considers a two-stage, profit-oriented supply chain that employs disposable primary packaging, disposable protective packaging, and returnable secondary packaging in supplying the product to a price-conscious consumer. With a special emphasis on the return of last-mile packaging, an analytical model is developed to examine the integrated lot-sizing and pricing decisions for the product and its secondary packaging. The model is developed for a decentralized channel with a Retailer-Stackelberg power structure and a centralized channel. In both the channels, it is shown that the retail price not only drives the equilibrium decisions and profits but also the total waste generated across different packaging types. It is found that the decentralized channel produces lower channel profits, however, it also generates lesser packaging waste when compared to a centralized channel. The study identifies the economic improvements in reverse channel operations that can encourage channels to adopt the take-back of secondary packaging in the last-mile for reuse. The findings also support the intuitive understanding that channels that adopt larger sized products can reduce packaging waste. Additionally, penalizing protective packaging in the last-mile is shown to have the potential to reduce total packaging waste by inducing the channels to supply larger products. Scope for contracts and regulatory mechanisms are identified, along with future research directions.

Edible Coating Base on Aloe Gel with Additives on Strawberry Fruit

The edible coating is biodegradable and sustainable packaging has come into attention since the past few decades as an effort to reduce packaging waste. On a landmark fruit, the edible application layer is used to reduce the occurrence of loss of moisture, improve appearance, acts as a barrier to the exchange of gases, as well as having functions as an antifungal and antimicrobial. In addition to extending shelf life can be eaten these many layers are used such as it does not endanger human health, can be eaten as well as easy to untangle nature. One of the natural ingredients that can be used such as a layer of edible is Aloe Vera. From the results obtained that the weight without warming treatment gel stored at cool temperatures is relatively constant, while to gel without or with the treatment of warming that is stored at room temperature a little decline. The reduction drastic invisible on the gel with the saved warming treatment in cold temperatures. Aloe gel good shaped pieces that are stored at room temperature has decreased the weight but that is stored on the cold temperatures are relatively stable. The aloe vera gel with warming and stored at cool temperatures until day 5 relatively stable, as seen from the variable weight shrinkage, color, pH, viscosity, and moisture content. While the gel is stored at room temperature decrease began day 2. Aloe Vera gel should be stored at cool temperatures with a sealed container. The best characteristics of Aloe Vera gel that treatment with sorbitol can extend the shelf life strawberry fruit. edible coating base on Aloe gel can be applied at post-harvest handling fruits.