Realizing Product‐Packaging Combinations in Circular Systems: Shaping the Research Agenda

Abstract

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

Desired, Perceived, and Achieved Sustainability: Trade-Offs in Strategic and Operational Packaging Development

“…Both definitions describe characteristics of sustainable packaging, and focus on the complete life cycle and packaging's functional requirements or performance. However, the consideration of integrated product-packaging combinations in terms of sustainability is limited in both definitions [29].…”

“…The analysis of the cases shows the development of products and accompanying structural packaging primarily as separated sequential processes-limiting the achieved sustainability in realized product-packaging combinations [1,16,29]. Only in Charlie's project, the development of the product and the associated packaging was conducted simultaneously.…”

“…It follows that in order to secure the integration of sustainability considerations, the development process requires sustainability milestones, for instance as part of gate decisions. To facilitate iterations, the development process requires a feedback loop of post-development environmental evaluations (such as life cycle assessment (LCA)) into generative development steps [29].…”

Sustainability priorities across the strategic and operational level in packaging development

“…Packaging development has a subordinate role within ‘generic' product development – it can be regarded as a field with a limited maturity level. In this research, packaging development is regarded as a separate category within generic product development via two packaging‐specific features: The primary functions of packaging: product protection, enabling distribution and use and communication about the contained products; The role of packaging as a facilitator within a product‐packaging combination: it acts as a beneficial add‐on to a product, the integrated entity fulfils functions during different steps of a supply chain …”

A simplified environmental evaluation tool for food packaging to support decision‐making in packaging development

“…At the same time, packaging logistics research highlights the importance of improving packaging to increase logistical eco‐efficiency . Several tools and models for the environmental optimization of packaging have been suggested, e.g., but an integrated evaluation of product‐packaging combinations is rare . From a theoretical perspective, the question of how to combine the insights from different research areas to guide the overall environmental optimization of packaging in food supply chains has not yet been answered.…”