Elucidating the Indirect Contributions of Packaging to Sustainable Development: A Terminology of Packaging Functions and Features

Abstract

Packaging has great potential to contribute to sustainable development through its functions. Previous research has indicated a need for increased knowledge among consumers, suppliers, authorities and media of how packaging functions and features influence sustainable development. Previous research also shows the need for a common terminology of packaging functions and features in order to facilitate and improve communication and understanding in development and decision processes.This conceptual paper sets out to identify, collect, analyse and systemize packaging functions and features and evaluate them based on their indirect contributions to sustainable development. The systemized functions and features are expressed in generic terminology. Three clusters of packaging functions were identified from the literature: protect, facilitate handling and communicate. Nineteen packaging features were also identified. They were grouped under the three functions and elaborated based on their indirect contributions to the environmental, social and economic dimensions of sustainable development. Fourteen potential positive indirect effects were identified including decreased product waste, reduced risk for human health hazards, increased handling and transport efficiency. Decreased product waste was generated by 13 of the features and was thus the most frequently appearing. Reducing waste is thereby indicated to be a manifold matter, but also one of great potential.The proposed terminology can contribute to an increased understanding of how packaging can actually contribute to sustainable development. In a theoretical context, this paper attempts to complement earlier work in sustainable packaging development by its emphasis on the indirect contributions of packaging to sustainable development.

How Do Packaging Material, Colour and Environmental Claim Influence Package, Brand and Product Evaluations?

“…While some studies state that consumers consider recyclability the main aspect of environment‐friendly packaging, recent studies show that there are actually more aspects of packaging to take into account . These elements are for example related to the perceptions of the material or to reducing product waste.…”

Influence of Skin Packaging on Raw Beef Quality: A Review

“…The same advantage was recognized by large scale retailers, as these products were intended for "self-service." Recently, several aspects have become increasingly important such as the aspect of the packages, traceability, and labelling, which should be usable also by consumers that do not have any specific knowledge about meat quality [4][5][6][7]. Currently, the most used typologies of packaging for raw meats are modified atmosphere packaging (MAP), traditional vacuum packaging, and vacuum-skin packaging [8,9].…”

Mapping the Influence of Food Waste in Food Packaging Environmental Performance Assessments

“…A survey of Swedish households determined that 20% to 25% of household food waste was related to packaging design attributes, including the attributes easy to empty and contains the correct quantity (Williams et al 2012). Additional packaging attributes that can influence food waste include resealability, easy to: open, grip, and dose, and communication of food safety/freshness information (Wikstrom et al 2014;Lindh et al 2016). When such attributes are considered from the standpoint of reducing food waste, the potential of packaging to improve system environmental performance may be realized.…”