IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v15y2023i13p10260-d1181863.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

The Environmental Impacts of Caesar Salad Packaging

Author

Listed:
  • Nate Stephens

    (Sonoco Institute of Packaging Design and Graphics, Clemson University, Fernow Street, Clemson, SC 29634, USA)

  • Rupert A. Hurley

    (Sonoco Institute of Packaging Design and Graphics, Clemson University, Fernow Street, Clemson, SC 29634, USA)

  • Robert Kimmel

    (Sonoco Institute of Packaging Design and Graphics, Clemson University, Fernow Street, Clemson, SC 29634, USA)

  • William Bridges

    (Sonoco Institute of Packaging Design and Graphics, Clemson University, Fernow Street, Clemson, SC 29634, USA)

  • Ami Frierson

    (Sonoco Institute of Packaging Design and Graphics, Clemson University, Fernow Street, Clemson, SC 29634, USA)

  • Duncan Darby

    (Sonoco Institute of Packaging Design and Graphics, Clemson University, Fernow Street, Clemson, SC 29634, USA)

  • Jeanne Skaggs

    (Sonoco Products Company, Hartsville, SC 29550, USA)

  • Maggie Albro

    (Sonoco Institute of Packaging Design and Graphics, Clemson University, Fernow Street, Clemson, SC 29634, USA)

Abstract

There are at least 151 ways to uniquely package ingredients for a Caesar salad, and this research provides the environmental impacts of each so organizations can make more informed packaging decisions. This research examines the environmental impacts of salad packaging at the retail market based on the typical Caesar salad from the manufacturing gate to the post-consumer gate. A retail audit of salad packaging was conducted across the southeast USA in the summer of 2021, identifying 167 unique packaging types offered across four methods of sale: (1) whole packaged ingredients, (2) prepared packaged ingredients, (3) packaged salad kits, and (4) salad bar containers. Analysis of these packaged products yielded 26 unique materials that were analyzed within Trayak COMPASS life cycle analysis (LCA) software. One hundred and fifty-one possible salad packaging combinations were generated and assessed through various environmental impact measurements. A novel formula was developed that provides a standard score for each possible combination. For lettuce, heavier clamshells and tubs were more impactful than flexible bags. For cheese, flexible bags were less impactful than heavier, rigid packaging. For croutons, bag-in-box solutions were just as impactful as multi-layer flexible pouches. For dressings, impact corresponded with weight, where a flexible plastic pouch had less of an impact than plastic and glass bottles. Packaged kits and salad bar packaging were analyzed as well, determining bagged kits’ impacts were significantly lower than those of bowl kits. Five packages common to salad bars were analyzed, where coated paper had less of an impact than molded pulp and plastic clamshells. The value of this work can be leveraged by researchers and organizations who seek to make packaging decisions based on environmental impacts and consumers who seek to be more informed about the impacts of the packaging they purchase.

Suggested Citation

  • Nate Stephens & Rupert A. Hurley & Robert Kimmel & William Bridges & Ami Frierson & Duncan Darby & Jeanne Skaggs & Maggie Albro, 2023. "The Environmental Impacts of Caesar Salad Packaging," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-60, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:13:p:10260-:d:1181863
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/13/10260/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/13/10260/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    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.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Christina Tsouti & Christina Papadaskalopoulou & Angeliki Konsta & Panagiotis Andrikopoulos & Margarita Panagiotopoulou & Sofia Papadaki & Christos Boukouvalas & Magdalini Krokida & Katerina Valta, 2023. "Investigating the Environmental Benefits of Novel Films for the Packaging of Fresh Tomatoes Enriched with Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Compounds through Life Cycle Assessment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-22, May.
    2. Monia Niero & Charlotte L. Jensen & Chiara Farné Fratini & Jens Dorland & Michael S. Jørgensen & Susse Georg, 2021. "Is life cycle assessment enough to address unintended side effects from Circular Economy initiatives?," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 25(5), pages 1111-1120, October.
    3. Gonzalo Wandosell & María C. Parra-Meroño & Alfredo Alcayde & Raúl Baños, 2021. "Green Packaging from Consumer and Business Perspectives," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-19, January.
    4. Cheila Almeida & Philippe Loubet & Tamíris Pacheco da Costa & Paula Quinteiro & Jara Laso & David Baptista de Sousa & Ronan Cooney & Sinead Mellett & Guido Sonnemann & Carlos José Rodríguez & Neil Row, 2022. "Packaging environmental impact on seafood supply chains: A review of life cycle assessment studies," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 26(6), pages 1961-1978, December.
    5. Marion Garaus & Christian Garaus & Elisabeth Wolfsteiner & Charlotte Jermendy, 2022. "Anthropomorphism as a Differentiation Strategy for Standardized Reusable Glass Containers," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(15), pages 1-17, August.
    6. Nathana L. Cristofoli & Alexandre R. Lima & Rose D. N. Tchonkouang & Andreia C. Quintino & Margarida C. Vieira, 2023. "Advances in the Food Packaging Production from Agri-Food Waste and By-Products: Market Trends for a Sustainable Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-33, April.
    7. Erik Roos Lindgreen & Roberta Salomone & Tatiana Reyes, 2020. "A Critical Review of Academic Approaches, Methods and Tools to Assess Circular Economy at the Micro Level," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(12), pages 1-27, June.
    8. Tian Zeng & Fabien Durif, 2019. "The Influence of Consumers’ Perceived Risks towards Eco-Design Packaging upon the Purchasing Decision Process: An Exploratory Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(21), pages 1-29, November.
    9. Karim Naderi Mahdei & Seyed Mohammad Jafar Esfahani & Philippe Lebailly & Thomas Dogot & Steven Passel & Hossein Azadi, 2023. "Environmental impact assessment and efficiency of cotton: the case of Northeast Iran," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 25(9), pages 10301-10321, September.
    10. Diana Reinales & David Zambrana-Vasquez & Aitana Saez-De-Guinoa, 2020. "Social Life Cycle Assessment of Product Value Chains Under a Circular Economy Approach: A Case Study in the Plastic Packaging Sector," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(16), pages 1-17, August.
    11. Amna Farrukh & Sanjay Mathrani & Aymen Sajjad, 2022. "A Systematic Literature Review on Environmental Sustainability Issues of Flexible Packaging: Potential Pathways for Academic Research and Managerial Practice," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-21, April.
    12. Marzena Smol & Renata Koneczna, 2021. "Economic Indicators in Water and Wastewater Sector Contributing to a Circular Economy (CE)," Resources, MDPI, vol. 10(12), pages 1-13, December.
    13. Nimni Pannila & Madushan Madhava Jayalath & Amila Thibbotuwawa & Izabela Nielsen & T.G.G. Uthpala, 2022. "Challenges in Applying Circular Economy Concepts to Food Supply Chains," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(24), pages 1-24, December.
    14. Mark Anthony Camilleri, 2021. "Sustainable Production and Consumption of Food. Mise-en-Place Circular Economy Policies and Waste Management Practices in Tourism Cities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(17), pages 1-13, September.
    15. Agnieszka Nowaczek & Ewa Dziobek & Joanna Kulczycka, 2023. "Benefits and Limitations of Indicators for Monitoring the Transformation towards a Circular Economy in Poland," Resources, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-21, February.
    16. Jara Laso & Israel Ruiz-Salmón & María Margallo & Pedro Villanueva-Rey & Lucía Poceiro & Paula Quinteiro & Ana Cláudia Dias & Cheila Almeida & António Marques & Eduardo Entrena-Barbero & María Teresa , 2022. "Achieving Sustainability of the Seafood Sector in the European Atlantic Area by Addressing Eco-Social Challenges: The NEPTUNUS Project," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-25, March.
    17. Erhan Ada & Yigit Kazancoglu & Çisem Lafcı & Banu Y. Ekren & Cansu Çimitay Çelik, 2023. "Identifying the Drivers of Circular Food Packaging: A Comprehensive Review for the Current State of the Food Supply Chain to Be Sustainable and Circular," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-30, July.
    18. Konrád Kiss & Csaba Ruszkai & Katalin Takács-György, 2019. "Examination of Short Supply Chains Based on Circular Economy and Sustainability Aspects," Resources, MDPI, vol. 8(4), pages 1-21, September.
    19. Do, Quynh & Ramudhin, Amar & Colicchia, Claudia & Creazza, Alessandro & Li, Dong, 2021. "A systematic review of research on food loss and waste prevention and management for the circular economy," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 239(C).
    20. Vítor Domingues Martinho & Paulo Reis Mourão, 2020. "Circular Economy and Economic Development in the European Union: A Review and Bibliometric Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(18), pages 1-25, September.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:13:p:10260-:d:1181863. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.