Packaging is an often-studied
LCA topic, either as part of a larger product system or by itself to enable a
manufacturer to understand design trade-offs or communicate environmental
performance. Improved packaging designs can potentially reduce the
environmental impact of packaging, and LCA provides a means to quantify that
performance on certain metrics. Environmental impact is of particular concern,
as packaging is often perceived as waste by consumers and retailers. Many
brands have begun to differentiate themselves by adopting packaging materials
and systems that are perceived to be ‘environmentally-responsible’.
The life of packaging is
outlined in below picture to illustrate what an LCA seeks to evaluate about
packaging. In brief, packaging raw materials, such as plastic granulate, are
produced from non-renewable, renewable, or recycled resources. These materials
are subsequently converted to bottles, boxes, and other packages that are
filled by a food or beverage processor. The packaged product is then
distributed to retailers, who reuse the shipment packaging (i.e. secondary and
tertiary packaging such as pallets or corrugate boxes) or send it out for
recovery or disposal. In the case of reusable packaging, a cleaning step may be
necessary to prepare the package for its subsequent use; otherwise, the use
stage is typically not associated with packaging.
Consumers purchase the food
or beverage contained within the primary packaging; at home, they prepare and
consume the food or beverage and dispose this packaging.
Depending on the objectives
of a particular analysis, LCAs of packaging can be conducted on the packaging
itself, for example, to evaluate alternative packaging designs for a particular
product—or include packaging as a part of a larger product system to understand
the impacts of a product overall. Whether the packaging is for food, beverages,
personal care products, or building materials, the challenges are often the
same: how to minimize its environmental impact without compromising the product
it is meant to support.
Evaluating this balance
should be informed by sound scientific thinking. LCA provides a framework to
guide the development of environmentally preferable packaging in this industry
and ensure that companies consider not just the impacts of raw materials or
manufacturing, but the entire packaging life cycle and how packaging can
influence product losses.
Applying life cycle-based
practices can ensure that environmental burdens are not simply transferred from
one stage or component of the life cycle to another and offers a method for
considering the role packaging plays in protecting and marketing the product.
Optimize efficiency and effectiveness of packaging, keeping the product
at the forefront. The nature of the packaging supply chain is such that there
may be a separation between the raw material provider, packaging converter, and
food or beverage processor, which can lead to missed opportunities in the
optimization of the collective package and product system. Designers aiming to
develop packaging with reduced environmental burdens in this value chain,
however, must resist the temptation to optimize only for materials,
distribution, or end-of-life and instead address the full cradle-to-grave
package and product life cycle as a way to differentiate the more
environmentally sound alternative. Regardless of the material choices in
packaging design, the product packaging with the highest environmental burden
is one that is either under packaged, enabling breakage or theft, or over
packaged, requiring more material, and therefore burden, than is necessary.
