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Carbon Footprint Comparative Analysis of Cardboard and Plastic Containers Used for the International Transport of Spanish Tomatoes

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  • Vanesa G. Lo-Iacono-Ferreira

    (Project Management, Innovation and Sustainability (PRINS) Research Centre, Campus de Alcoy, Universitat Politècnica de València, Plaza Ferrándiz y Carbonell 1, 03801 Alcoy, Spain)

  • Rosario Viñoles-Cebolla

    (Project Management, Innovation and Sustainability (PRINS) Research Centre, Campus de Valencia, Universitat Politècnica de València, Camino de Vera s/n, 46022 Valencia, Spain)

  • María José Bastante-Ceca

    (Project Management, Innovation and Sustainability (PRINS) Research Centre, Campus de Valencia, Universitat Politècnica de València, Camino de Vera s/n, 46022 Valencia, Spain)

  • Salvador F. Capuz-Rizo

    (Project Management, Innovation and Sustainability (PRINS) Research Centre, Campus de Valencia, Universitat Politècnica de València, Camino de Vera s/n, 46022 Valencia, Spain)

Abstract

Agricultural packaging has a direct impact on the environmental performance of food. The carbon footprint (CF) of two of the most used packaging systems for international transport by road of fruit and vegetables is assessed and compared. Corrugated cardboard boxes (CCB) and polypropylene foldable boxes (PPB) in two different sizes are the object of this study. For the reusable boxes, three different scenarios are considered regarding the number of uses of each box (20, 50, and 100 uses). Product CF ISO 14067:2018 standard is applied, and requirements of ISO 14026:2017 and ISO 14044:2006 are met for a cradle-to-grave CF analysis. Product distribution and return of the empty box are the stages with the most significant impact for PPB over the manufacturing stage. CCB that does not have any returning stage or requirements of sanitation has its main impact in manufacturing. The comparison between both packaging systems of the same size, considering the functional unit and defined scope, points out CCB has a lower CF than PPB.

Suggested Citation

  • Vanesa G. Lo-Iacono-Ferreira & Rosario Viñoles-Cebolla & María José Bastante-Ceca & Salvador F. Capuz-Rizo, 2021. "Carbon Footprint Comparative Analysis of Cardboard and Plastic Containers Used for the International Transport of Spanish Tomatoes," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-28, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:5:p:2552-:d:506642
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. 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.
    2. Ólafur Ögmundarson & Markus J. Herrgård & Jochen Forster & Michael Z. Hauschild & Peter Fantke, 2020. "Addressing environmental sustainability of biochemicals," Nature Sustainability, Nature, vol. 3(3), pages 167-174, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Katia Hueso-Kortekaas & José C. Romero & Raquel González-Felipe, 2021. "Energy-Environmental Impact Assessment of Greenhouse Grown Tomato: A Case Study in Almeria (Spain)," World, MDPI, vol. 2(3), pages 1-17, September.
    2. Kasper Górny & Natalia Idaszewska & Zuzanna Sydow & Krzysztof Bieńczak, 2021. "Modelling the Carbon Footprint of Various Fruit and Vegetable Products Based on a Company’s Internal Transport Data," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(14), pages 1-15, July.

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