Towards Integrating Sustainability in the Development of Product/Packaging Combinations

Lange, J. de; Luttikhuis, Ellen Oude; Klooster, Roland ten; Lutters, Eric

doi:10.1007/978-3-642-30817-8_84

Cited by 10 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…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.…”

Section: Product-packaging Integrationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Independent of the main driver-internal ambitions or external stakeholder expectations-business organizations, NGOs, and policy makers have been aiming for the implementation of considerations towards more sustainable practices, in various sectors. When considering the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector, packaging-related sustainability can be identified as a relevant area of improvement for companies [1,2]. Examples of sustainable packaging strategies include Unilever's 'Waste & Packaging' strategy [3], Coca-Cola's 'Sustainable Packaging' efforts [4], and the Wal-Mart Packaging Scorecard [5].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

2017

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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.

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Section: Product-packaging Integrationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

2017

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“…On top of that, management commitment is essential for a successful integration of sustainability considerations . When considering a supply chain as a cross‐functional network of stakeholders, a product‐packaging combination can be identified as a main element …”

Section: Theoretical Backgroundmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Within the fast‐moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector, packaging is a high‐profile topic when considering sustainable development. Many companies address the development of product‐packaging combinations – and specifically packaging as an isolated entity – as a relevant issue in their corporate social responsibility (CSR) aims . Examples of company‐wide CSR communications, which explicitly address packaging development, include Unilever's Sustainable Living Plan and Coca‐Cola's ‘Sustainable Packaging' aims…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Many companies address the development of product-packaging combinationsand specifically packaging as an isolated entityas a relevant issue in their corporate social responsibility (CSR) aims. 16,17 Examples of company-wide CSR communications, which explicitly address packaging development, include Unilever's Sustainable Living Plan 18 and Coca-Cola's 'Sustainable Packaging' aims. 19 This study contributes to the discussion on the alignment of the strategic and operational levels of packaging development by analysing how decision-making processes at different hierarchical levels are characterized in achieving a consensus on the integration of sustainability.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Sustainability priorities across the strategic and operational level in packaging development

2019

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Sustainability is well‐established in many companies' strategic postures. However, executing sustainability‐related goals often lags at the operational level. This study analyses how decision‐making processes in packaging development at different hierarchical levels are characterized in achieving a sustainability consensus. This research focuses on the alignment of the strategic and operational levels of packaging development in relation to the integration of sustainability considerations. This materializes in a stakeholder perspective on packaging development and an analysis of targets aiming for the integration of sustainability considerations in such development processes. The involvement and decision making by internal stakeholders, the involvement of external stakeholders and sustainability target setting are considered as conditions causing the outcome of interest: levels of sustainability implementation on both the strategic and the operational levels of packaging development. By using a set‐theoretic method, we address that different compositions of stakeholder involvement and target setting might cause the same level of sustainability priority at the strategic and operational levels. For data analysis, we use a fuzzy‐set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) with empirical data derived from survey responses by packaging experts. This approach is motivated by its ability to address the complexity of the interplay of case characteristics within development processes. The research findings provide several indications of a limited alignment of a company's strategic sustainability ambition with the operational activities of multidisciplinary packaging development teams. The insights on the sustainability‐related configurations of stakeholders and target setting provide guidance for managing projects across the strategic and operational levels in improving sustainable packaging development.

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

2016

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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]

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Towards Integrating Sustainability in the Development of Product/Packaging Combinations

Cited by 10 publications

References 8 publications

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

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

Sustainability priorities across the strategic and operational level in packaging development

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

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