Both a source of inspiration and an invaluable reference tool, Big Book of Packaging Prototypes provides a visual catalyst for the creation of exciting package designs. The diverse range of carton ...
By David Clark
Many people know that sustainable packaging is an important topic these days, but there are many unresolved questions that seem to come up when we talk about sustainable packaging.
Determining which type of packaging is more sustainable is not an exact science. The tools most often used to determine the environmental impacts of packaging are the Life Cycle Analysis, or LCA, and the Life Cycle Inventory, or LCI. These analyses are usually done by determining the life cycle of the package, from sourcing the raw materials to conversion, transportation, and sometimes end-of-life.
Some life cycle studies are “closed loop” and include package disposal or recycling. Others are “cradle-to-gate” and only look at the impacts of packaging up to their delivery to be filled, when they enter the distribution chain. After the life cycle is understood, impacts are calculated based on raw materials consumed, energy required, transportation, water used, and other impacts. LCIs are most useful when comparing one package to an alternative.
When comparing the life cycle impacts of different packaging materials, it is important to keep in mind that the original data on the raw materials may come from different studies that were done at different times or in different parts of the world. All of this means that life cycle analysis can be a pretty soft science. It is not unusual to get different results from different data sets or different software packages. Small differences in the results of LCIs for different packages don’t necessarily mean one package is more sustainable than another.
Carbon footprint comparisons have become a popular way to measure environmental impact. Having a smaller carbon footprint is usually a good thing, and carbon footprint is often a reasonable indicator of other environmental impacts. However, tradeoffs can be difficult. For example, recycling is an important issue for packaging. Many very lightweight packages, which use less material and less energy to manufacture, are made with multiple materials.
Life cycle studies of these packages often show the carbon footprint and energy use of these packages is lower than recyclable packages that do the same job. But since these packages cannot be recycled, they will end up in landfills or perhaps incinerated in a waste-to-energy facility. How we balance the benefits of very lightweight packaging vs. our desire to recycle is still not resolved and causes a dilemma for both brand owners and consumers.