Recent years have shown a shift in the focus of sustainable development from eco-efficiency (minimizing negative impacts) towards eco-effectiveness (optimizing positive impacts). Currently, a focus on circular models can be identified; Cradle to Cradle and circular economy are main examples of such models. However, the current number and variety of models and tools focusing on circular systems are limited with regard to packaging development. This paper explores packaging development models and tools in relation to circular systems, in order to identify the current status of the circularity focus. A range of identified models and tools is structured into two categories (generative and evaluative tools) which cover three types (protocols, diagrams and evaluations). This is in line with the distinction between early and later phases of development and the cumulative nature of environmental lock-in. Protocol-type models and tools come in different forms, such as principles, guidelines and checklists (e.g. Cradle to Cradle and DfE). Aside from these, eight diagram-type models are analysed, focusing on packaging development, sustainable development and sustainable packaging development. In contrast to generative design tools, evaluation-type models and tools (e.g. LCA) are most useful in the later stages of development processes. Resulting from the analysis of the models and tools, three types of integration - integrated product-packaging development, the cross-functional integration of actors and the front-end integration of sustainability considerations - are appropriate for the development of product-packaging combinations for circular systems. This leads to an agenda which shapes research directions towards achieving this development. (C) 2016 The Authors Packaging Technology and Science Published by John Wiley amp; Sons, Ltd.

Funding Agencies|Top Institute Food and Nutrition (TIFN); Netherlands Institute for Sustainable Packaging (KIDV) [SD002]

Abstract:The alignment of the strategic and the operational level of packaging development in relation to the integration of sustainability is not addressed extensively in current research. This paper aims to address this, by focusing on the decision-making interrelations of key actors (marketing and packaging development) within multidisciplinary product-packaging development teams. The research is conducted by means of a qualitative approach, consisting of semi-structured interviews with individual packaging development team members, complemented with a newly developed visualization tool. The research builds upon eight cases within brand owners, packaging material suppliers and packaging development consultants. The main findings of the study include the decision-making trade-offs between sustainability considerations and other project indicators, such as costs, time-to-market and technical challenges. These trade-offs are linked to the strategic and operational roles of key actors, and to internal and external factors influencing sustainable development processes. This research's contribution is to address the alignment of the strategic and the operational levels of sustainable packaging development, in relation to (1) decision making and interrelations within multidisciplinary development teams; and (2) the relevance of development-influencing factors. This provides opportunities for further development of sustainable packaging models and tools, in order to align the strategic and operational level of development.

This paper describes an empirical study to determine the influence of specific design elements of sustainable packaging on consumer behaviour during purchase and recycling. Existing studies show that the visual appearance of packaging design influences the behaviour of consumers. The results of this study show that decisions made by consumers regarding the packaging are mostly based on graphics and to a lesser extent on information and form. Furthermore, a sustainable form and information regarding sustainability also have the highest utility, which indicates that these cues are able to trigger a higher buying intention. According the results on recycling behaviour, it is unclear if recycling logos and a stimulating text have an impact on recycling intention of consumers.

This study addresses the synthesis of sustainability-related considerations in packaging design curricula by means of educational interventions. The core of the research revolves around an educational module for students in packaging design and development. This research targets the current late-stage integration of sustainability considerations in product-packaging development processes. The combination of the front-end involvement of sustainability considerations with the focus on educational interventions in product-packaging development is lacking in currently available research. The educational interventions which are tested in representative educational environments-as presented in this article-address the required focus on the balance in decisions and criteria, trade-offs, and team dynamics within multidisciplinary product-packaging development teams. The educational framework targets five perspectives of packaging sustainability:(1) managerial decision making, (2) life cycle assessment (LCA), (3) consumer purchase behavior, (4) recycling efficiency and effectiveness, and (5) plastic recycling chain redesign. This research's main contribution is bridging the gap between implementing new scientific insights in the field of sustainable packaging from various perspectives, and practicing by applying the relevant knowledge in this field, by means of a design synthesis approach. This research derives findings from both an extensive introspective analysis and expert analysis of the results of the educational module.Sustainability 2019, 11, 21 2 of 37 by existing packaging. However, if we really want to address this problematic development, we need to tackle the roots of the problem, focusing on developing more sustainable product-packaging combinations. We speak of product-packaging combinations, because the packaging is in the service of the product within the complete supply chain and provides more than just the function of protecting the content, but also informing about and transporting the product [6][7][8][9].In current product-packaging development processes, sustainability considerations are mainly tackled at the end of the design process, implementing minor changes in the product design, that lead to only negligible effects on the environmental burden. This approach is known as eco-efficiency [10]. However, recent years have shown an increased interest in continuous material cycles, in which materials can be recycled without loss of quality, like Cradle to Cradle [11,12] and the concept of the circular economy [10]. These approaches can be explained as eco-effectiveness.Incorporation of sustainability considerations in an early stage of the product development process will be crucial to create more eco-effective product-packaging solutions. Furthermore, when implementing sustainability at an early stage, the early-stage environmental lock-in is key [3]. In other words: the probability of creating more eco-effective sustainable product-packaging combinations will be higher when we start thinking about su...