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A Systematic Literature Review on Packaging Sustainability: Contents, Opportunities, and Guidelines

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  • Ricardo Marques Sastre

    (Industrial Engineering and Transport Department, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90035-003, Brazil)

  • Istefani Carísio de Paula

    (Industrial Engineering and Transport Department, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90035-003, Brazil)

  • Marcia Elisa Soares Echeveste

    (Industrial Engineering and Transport Department, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90035-003, Brazil)

Abstract

The relationship between packaging and sustainability has caused the evolution of literature towards the minimization of environmental damage. The task of packaging professionals is becoming more demanding, as they need to collect information from distinct topics to stay up to date. The aim of this research is to gather information on packaging in the sustainability context to provide a systemic view of the contents, to identify opportunities, and define guidelines for packaging design. A systematic literature review of 472 papers was performed. The first step was a bibliographic search using Pack *, Sustainab *, and eco * as keywords. Secondly, the content analysis revealed the emergence of nine categories grouped in four clusters. These categories and nineteen subthemes were considered research opportunities. Going beyond the coding units of the content analysis, we have used context units to propose (i) the gathering of technical procedures to support the design phases of sustainable packaging; and (ii) the proposition of a framework based on the life cycle stages and design phases. At last, we have provided insights and guidelines that can be useful for packaging professionals.

Suggested Citation

  • Ricardo Marques Sastre & Istefani Carísio de Paula & Marcia Elisa Soares Echeveste, 2022. "A Systematic Literature Review on Packaging Sustainability: Contents, Opportunities, and Guidelines," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(11), pages 1-31, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:11:p:6727-:d:828685
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Mats Wilhelmsson, 2022. "About the Importance of Planning the Location of Recycling Stations in the Urban Context," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-18, June.
    2. Gulshan Kumar Gaur & Jitender Madaan & Ekachidd Chungcharoen, 2025. "A Bayesian-based decision modeling approach for prioritizing barriers to sustainability in packaging supply chain," Environment Systems and Decisions, Springer, vol. 45(3), pages 1-32, September.
    3. Sutrisno Trisno & I Ketut Gunarta & Erwin Widodo, 2024. "Packaging optimization model using cost-based behavioral perspective approach in food and beverage industry," Eastern-European Journal of Enterprise Technologies, PC TECHNOLOGY CENTER, vol. 5(13 (131)), pages 97-111, October.
    4. Cherry C. I. Lau & Christina W. Y. Wong, 2024. "Achieving sustainable development with sustainable packaging: A natural‐resource‐based view perspective," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 33(5), pages 4766-4787, July.
    5. Akturan, Ulun & Kuter, Deniz & Gökkut, B. Selin, 2025. "Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the most convincing of them all? A systematic literature review on packaging," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 193(C).
    6. Fotios Misopoulos & Priyanka Bajiraj, 2025. "Shared Producer Responsibility for Sustainable Packaging in FMCG: The Convergence of SDGs, ESG Reporting, and Stakeholder Engagement," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(14), pages 1-46, July.

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