Design Support Tool for Reusable Packaging Sustainability Assessment in the Food Industry

Embracing reusable and sustainable packaging is an opportunity to reduce the environmental burdens across agri-food supply chains in alignment with the European Green Deal goals. This paper introduces a visual dashboard as a decision-support tool for Reusable Packaging Circular Supply Chains (RPSCs) within the agri-food sector. The dashboard integrates key operational parameters as levers, including material composition, production processes, reuse cycles, and logistical network configurations. The dashboard enables stakeholders to assess environmental and economic trade-offs in real time. As a computerized-aided design tool, the developed interface relies on data architecture and scripts hidden from the final users. A proof-of-concept application within an international food retailer's logistics network demonstrates the tool's practical utility, confirming the reductions in production and disposal emissions of reusable packaging compared to single-use. However, challenges persist in adopting reusable packaging, including a significant reliance on the logistical infrastructure, the impact of washing processes, and the enhanced costs linked to increased complexity. This paper underscores the importance of accessible operative tools in facilitating cross-functional collaboration toward a shared common goal, contributing to a more sustainable agri-food sector.