The packaging sector and the environmental impacts stemming from its various materials and applications are currently at the forefront of scientific and political debate. To estimate the environmental impacts associated with raw materials and identify the role of industrial processes, this study presents a cradle-to-grave Life Cycle Assessment applied to two distinct packaging formulations for chocolate bars, namely oriented polypropylene-based and paper-based packaging. The product systems related to the two alternatives were compared by focusing on the contribution of each resource input and emission of the production phase, to identify respective environmental trade-offs and potentials for future improvements throughout the life cycle. Our study also proposes a laboratory-based approach to develop robust assumptions concerning the modeling of end-of-life material treatment and provide support to decision-making toward environmentally sustainable waste management practices. From the outcomes, a relative preference emerges for paper-based packaging, from a minimum of 10 to a maximum of 16 out of 18 environmental categories, depending on the evaluated scenario. The hotspot analysis highlighted a significant influence of the processing phases, with raw materials being generally characterized by lower percentage contributions to the final impact. In conclusion, the findings underscore the importance of considering the entire life cycle when assessing packaging sustainability. Moreover, the proposed laboratory approach offers valuable insights for policymakers and industry stakeholders to optimize end-of-life strategies and minimize the overall environmental footprint of packaging materials.

Arfelli, F., Roguszewska, M., Torta, G., Iurlo, M., Cespi, D., Ciacci, L., et al. (2024). Environmental impacts of food packaging: Is it all a matter of raw materials?. SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION AND CONSUMPTION, 49, 318-328 [10.1016/j.spc.2024.06.032].

Environmental impacts of food packaging: Is it all a matter of raw materials?

Arfelli, Francesco
Primo
;
Torta, Gianluca;Iurlo, Matteo;Cespi, Daniele;Ciacci, Luca
;
Passarini, Fabrizio
Ultimo
2024

Abstract

The packaging sector and the environmental impacts stemming from its various materials and applications are currently at the forefront of scientific and political debate. To estimate the environmental impacts associated with raw materials and identify the role of industrial processes, this study presents a cradle-to-grave Life Cycle Assessment applied to two distinct packaging formulations for chocolate bars, namely oriented polypropylene-based and paper-based packaging. The product systems related to the two alternatives were compared by focusing on the contribution of each resource input and emission of the production phase, to identify respective environmental trade-offs and potentials for future improvements throughout the life cycle. Our study also proposes a laboratory-based approach to develop robust assumptions concerning the modeling of end-of-life material treatment and provide support to decision-making toward environmentally sustainable waste management practices. From the outcomes, a relative preference emerges for paper-based packaging, from a minimum of 10 to a maximum of 16 out of 18 environmental categories, depending on the evaluated scenario. The hotspot analysis highlighted a significant influence of the processing phases, with raw materials being generally characterized by lower percentage contributions to the final impact. In conclusion, the findings underscore the importance of considering the entire life cycle when assessing packaging sustainability. Moreover, the proposed laboratory approach offers valuable insights for policymakers and industry stakeholders to optimize end-of-life strategies and minimize the overall environmental footprint of packaging materials.
2024
Arfelli, F., Roguszewska, M., Torta, G., Iurlo, M., Cespi, D., Ciacci, L., et al. (2024). Environmental impacts of food packaging: Is it all a matter of raw materials?. SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION AND CONSUMPTION, 49, 318-328 [10.1016/j.spc.2024.06.032].
Arfelli, Francesco; Roguszewska, Marlena; Torta, Gianluca; Iurlo, Matteo; Cespi, Daniele; Ciacci, Luca; Passarini, Fabrizio
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
Arfelli_2024.pdf

accesso aperto

Tipo: Versione (PDF) editoriale
Licenza: Licenza per Accesso Aperto. Creative Commons Attribuzione (CCBY)
Dimensione 5.36 MB
Formato Adobe PDF
5.36 MB Adobe PDF Visualizza/Apri
SI_Arfelli.pdf

accesso aperto

Tipo: File Supplementare
Licenza: Licenza per Accesso Aperto. Creative Commons Attribuzione (CCBY)
Dimensione 496.98 kB
Formato Adobe PDF
496.98 kB Adobe PDF Visualizza/Apri

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11585/974054
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus 1
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 1
social impact