| Title | The Relevance of Recyclability for the Life Cycle Assessment of Packaging Based on Design for Life Cycle |
|---|---|
| ID_Doc | 22878 |
| Authors | Keller, J; Scagnetti, C; Albrecht, S |
| Title | The Relevance of Recyclability for the Life Cycle Assessment of Packaging Based on Design for Life Cycle |
| Year | 2022 |
| Published | Sustainability, 14.0, 7 |
| Abstract | The awareness for more environmentally sustainable packaging solutions is steadily growing. With both consumers and manufacturers looking to minimize their impacts on the environment, the need for easy-to-implement and standardized measures strengthening a circular economy rises. In the research, the goal was to determine whether the carbon footprint and circularity of non-food plastic packaging can be improved by simple design changes. The results should then lead to design recommendations, providing a Design for Life Cycle approach. The methodology of the study was to conceptually design a single-use plastic packaging with attributes having positive and negative effects on recyclability. Herein, only design characteristics from products obtainable on the market were regarded. Moreover, a comparison over existing recyclability assessment methods is given. The recyclability was then determined with the selected approach by Cyclos HTP, and a reference calculation was conducted. Life Cycle Assessments were implemented for 14 packaging designs using the GaBi software and the Environmental Footprint method. The results showed that dark color, material compounds, insoluble adhesives, and large labels result in lower recyclability of the single-use packaging. The impacts on climate change range from 0.13 kg CO2-equivalent emissions (100% recyclability) to 0.21 kg CO2-equivalent emissions (0% recyclability) per packaging, showing that lower recyclability leads to a larger carbon footprint in all assessed scenarios. Concluding, the research demonstrated that by applying Design for Life Cycle measures, impacts on climate change can be reduced. Lastly, design recommendations for decision makers are outlined. |
Similar Articles
| ID | Score | Article |
|---|---|---|
9076
|
Foschi, E; Zanni, S; Bonoli, A Combining Eco-Design and LCA as Decision-Making Process to Prevent Plastics in Packaging Application(2020)Sustainability, 12.0, 22 | |
| 4983
|
Tunçok-Çesme, B; Yildiz-Geyhan, E; Çiftçioglu, GA Environmental Life Cycle Assessment of Two Types of Flexible Plastic Packaging under a Sustainable Circular Economy Approach(2024)Sustainability, 16, 8 | |
| 23438
|
Civancik-Uslu, D; Puig, R; Voigt, S; Walter, D; Fullana-i-Palmer, P Improving the production chain with LCA and eco-design: application to cosmetic packaging(2019) | |
| 22334
|
Ligthart, TN; van Velzen, EUT; Brouwer, M EnvPack an LCA-based tool for environmental assessment of packaging chains. Part 1: scope, methods and inventory of tool(2019)International Journal Of Life Cycle Assessment, 24.0, 5 | |
| 23760
|
Markeviciute, Z; Varzinskas, V Smart Material Choice: The Importance of Circular Design Strategy Applications for Bio-Based Food Packaging Preproduction and End-of-Life Life Cycle Stages(2022)Sustainability, 14, 10 | |
| 26699
|
Stefanini, R; Paini, A; Vignali, G Plastic Versus Bioplastic as Packaging for Sanitary Products: The Environmental Impacts Comparison(2024)Packaging Technology And Science, 37, 7 | |
| 21766
|
Thomassen, G; Peeters, E; Van Hee, N; Noeth, E; Du Bois, E; Boone, L; Compernolle, T The environmental impacts of reusable rice packaging: An extended comparative life cycle assessment(2024) | |
| 12266
|
Cappiello, G; Aversa, C; Genovesi, A; Barletta, M Life cycle assessment (LCA) of bio-based packaging solutions for extended shelf-life (ESL) milk(2022)Environmental Science And Pollution Research, 29.0, 13 | |
| 16507
|
Michaliszyn-Gabrys, B; Krupanek, J; Kalisz, M; Smith, J Challenges for Sustainability in Packaging of Fresh Vegetables in Organic Farming(2022)Sustainability, 14, 9 | |
| 23490
|
Tua, C; Biganzoli, L; Grosso, M; Rigamonti, L Life Cycle Assessment of Reusable Plastic Crates (RPCs)(2019)Resources-Basel, 8, 2 |