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Assessing the Environmental Sustainability of Food Packaging: An Extended Life Cycle Assessment including Packaging-Related Food Losses and Waste and Circularity Assessment

Author

Listed:
  • Erik Pauer

    (Section of Packaging Technology and Resource Management, University of Applied Science, 1030 Vienna, Austria)

  • Bernhard Wohner

    (Section of Packaging Technology and Resource Management, University of Applied Science, 1030 Vienna, Austria)

  • Victoria Heinrich

    (Section of Packaging Technology and Resource Management, University of Applied Science, 1030 Vienna, Austria)

  • Manfred Tacker

    (Section of Packaging Technology and Resource Management, University of Applied Science, 1030 Vienna, Austria)

Abstract

Food packaging helps to protect food from being lost or wasted, nevertheless it is perceived as an environmental problem. The present study gives an overview of methods to assess the environmental sustainability of food packaging. Furthermore, we propose a methodological framework for environmental assessment of food packaging. There is a broad consensus on the definition of sustainable packaging, which has to be effective, efficient, and safe for human health and the environment. Existing frameworks only provide general guidance on how to quantify the environmental sustainability of packaging. Our proposed framework defines three sustainability aspects of food packaging, namely direct environmental effects of packaging, packaging-related food losses and waste, as well as circularity. It provides a list of key environmental performance indicators and recommends certain calculation procedures for each indicator. The framework is oriented towards the Product Environmental Footprint initiative and the Circular Economy Package of the European Union. Further research should develop a method to determine the amount of packaging-related food losses and waste. Moreover, future studies should examine the potential environmental benefits of different measures to make food packaging more circular.

Suggested Citation

  • Erik Pauer & Bernhard Wohner & Victoria Heinrich & Manfred Tacker, 2019. "Assessing the Environmental Sustainability of Food Packaging: An Extended Life Cycle Assessment including Packaging-Related Food Losses and Waste and Circularity Assessment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-21, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:3:p:925-:d:205009
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Buzby, Jean C. & Wells, Hodan Farah & Axtman, Bruce & Mickey, Jana, 2009. "Supermarket Loss Estimates for Fresh Fruit, Vegetables, Meat, Poultry, and Seafood and Their Use in the ERS Loss-Adjusted Food Availability Data," Economic Information Bulletin 58313, United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service.
    2. Annekatrin Lehmann & Vanessa Bach & Matthias Finkbeiner, 2016. "EU Product Environmental Footprint—Mid-Term Review of the Pilot Phase," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(1), pages 1-13, January.
    3. Korhonen, Jouni & Honkasalo, Antero & Seppälä, Jyri, 2018. "Circular Economy: The Concept and its Limitations," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 143(C), pages 37-46.
    4. Bernhard Wohner & Erik Pauer & Victoria Heinrich & Manfred Tacker, 2019. "Packaging-Related Food Losses and Waste: An Overview of Drivers and Issues," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(1), pages 1-15, January.
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