Decision on single‐use and reusable food packaging: searching for the optimal solution using a fuzzy mathematical approach

Abstract

BACKGROUND In modern food supply chains it is becoming increasingly important for companies to have sustainable product packaging systems. Deciding the protection, marketing, and logistical function of packaging, at optimal cost, is a very complex matter for professionals. The decision is usually between disposable (single‐use) and reusable (returnable) packaging solutions and their special characteristics. In practice, the focus of this decision is based on historical experience and traditions, taking a cost‐based and/or a criteria‐based approach. This considers a wide range of cost factors. Packaging cost is an important factor, but not the only one, in determining the optimal solution. RESULTS This study presents a three‐dimensional fuzzy signature model with a fuzzy method that can be applied to the packaging decision problem to investigate the interconnections among factors that affect the final results, beyond simple binary logic. Two types of food packaging, beverage glass and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles, were chosen to validate the usability of the model. CONCLUSION Fuzzy signatures can model the subjectivity of human definitions and criteria using the knowledge of professionals – human knowledge, which is experienced under real conditions and is used in practice in the food‐packaging decision process. Food‐packaging decision components and the final decision can be determined by fuzzy algorithms using membership functions on aggregation and weighted values. © 2022 The Author. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

A literature review and analytical framework of the sustainability of reusable packaging

“…For example, if the manufacturing costs are lower than the transportation costs, then the return journey is not economically beneficial for the supplier (Vöröskői et al, 2020). This supports Böröcz (2022), who identifies 0.5 l PET bottles as disposable and 0.25 l glass bottles as reusable, based on economic viability. In the event that return rates are low, suppliers will naturally prefer disposable alternatives to minimise costs.…”

Analytical packaging process: A method for improving the transport packaging

“…Some of the studies had been done to explore the role of the packaging in the supply chains under various topics such as the tradeoffs in the packaging system, 5 the implementation of sustainable packaging logistics for the efficiency in supply chains, 6 the impact of packaging systems on supply chain sustainability in terms of economic and environmental criteria, 7 the question of trade-offs in supply chains by exploring the roles of packaging in distribution networks, 8 the packaging issue in developing countries, 9 economic gains obtained by the augmented reality used in the packaging process 10 and the decision on single-use and reusable food-packaging. 11 It should be noted that multi-use packages tailored to the products may provide product safety. 12,13 The packaging trends such as simulation testing, 14 packaging postponement, 15 or green packaging 16,17 have been detected.…”