Life cycle assessment of smart and sustainable food packaging solutions

Abstract

The scope of this dissertation is to analyse the environmental impact associated with smart and sustainable food packaging solutions. This was conducted by understanding the state-of-the-art in novel takeaway packaging, including smart and sustainable features. The study aims to develop guidelines and conclusions on what should be considered when designing such innovative packaging solutions while identifying the most significant factors influencing their environmental performance. As a case study, this dissertation examines the SMARTSPACK (R&I-2021-005-T) project, delegated by the University of Malta, which proposes a novel packaging solution integrating smart features to enhance user experience while maintaining a holistically sustainable design. Through comparative Life Cycle Assessment using SimaPro and the ReCiPe framework, this research evaluates the environmental performance of novel takeaway packaging against conventional takeaway packaging. The study also considers the environmental effect associated with the integrated sanitisation features proposed in SMARTSPACK, in comparison to conventional hand cleaning methods. The analysis spans raw material extraction, manufacturing, transportation, use phase, and end-of-life disposal. This research contributes to bridging existing literature gaps on the Life Cycle Assessment of smart food packaging, particularly regarding tamper-evidence, sanitisation integration, and recyclability. By highlighting critical impact areas, this study provides valuable insights to inform the development of more sustainable, user-friendly food packaging solutions.