Development and redesign of flexible packaging under sustainability criteria
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37636/recit.v7n1e253Keywords:
Circular economy, Sustainable development, Recyclability, Monomaterial, Flexible packagingAbstract
The circular economy and sustainable development are critical issues today, given the growing environmental pollution caused by solid waste, especially plastics. Furthermore, plastic waste has raised significant social concerns and alerted plastic product designers. Therefore, developing or redesigning plastic products in the flexible packaging industry is imperative to ensure their recyclability at the end of their life cycle. It is necessary to ensure that the mechanical and barrier properties of the ecological plastic packaging remain intact for specific uses. The current study aims to redesign flexible packaging, focusing on providing the mechanical and barrier properties of the packaging suitable for food industry applications, thus offering a solution through new design proposals that allow the development of sustainable and flexible packaging, emphasizing material reduction and recyclability. This study assessed and compared the mechanical properties of the proposed packaging with those of existing products. The results demonstrated the feasibility of reducing plastic film thickness or eliminating layers in a tri-laminated structure and transitioning to a bi-laminated structure. This adjustment did not compromise the mechanical and barrier properties; the oxygen barrier remained at 35.39 cc/m2*day, and the humidity stood at 0.57 mg/m2*day. This investigation led to a 26.48% reduction in the raw material consumption of laminated coils and 12.68% in Doypack type packaging used in food applications. Consequently, the decreased material usage and adoption of monomaterial structures significantly minimized the environmental impact of plastic waste contamination due to the possibility of mechanically recycling the final product.
Downloads
Metrics
References
A. G. Azevedo, C. Barros, S. Miranda, A. V. Machado, O. Castro, B. Silva, and M. A. Cerqueira, "Active Flexible Films for Food Packaging: A Review," Polymers (Basel), vol. 14, no. 12, pp. 2442, 2022. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14122442 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14122442
I. Karimi Sani, M. Masoudpour-Behabadi, M. Alizadeh Sani, H. Motalebinejad, A. S. M. Juma, A. Asdagh, and F. Mohammadi, "Value-added utilization of fruit and vegetable processing by-products for the manufacture of biodegradable food packaging films," Food Chem, vol. 405, pt. B, p. 134964, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2022.134964 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2022.134964
K. Sasikumar and S.G. Krishna, "Solid waste management," PHI Learning Pvt. Ltd, 2009.
O. I. Nkwachukwu, C. H. Chima, A. O. Ikenna, and L. Albert, "Focus on potential environmental issues on plastic world towards a sustainable plastic recycling in developing countries," Int. J. Ind. Chem., vol. 4, pp. 1-13, 2013. https://doi.org/10.1186/2228-5547-4-34 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/2228-5547-4-34
T. M. Letcher, Ed., "Plastic Waste and Recycling: Environmental Impact, Societal Issues, Prevention, and Solutions," Academic Press, 2020.
H. K. Lamba, N. S. Kumar, and S. Dhir, "Circular economy and sustainable development: a review and research agenda," Int. J. Prod. Perform. Manage., vol. (ahead-of-print), 2023. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJPPM-06-2022-0314 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/IJPPM-06-2022-0314
R. Kumar et al., "Impacts of Plastic Pollution on Ecosystem Services, Sustainable Development Goals, and Need to Focus on Circular Economy and Policy Interventions," Sustainability, vol. 13, no. 17, p. 9963, Sep. 2021. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13179963 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su13179963
M. Sadiq, T. Q. Ngo, A. A. Pantamee, K. Khudoykulov, T. Thi Ngan, and L. P. Tan, "The role of environmental social and governance in achieving sustainable development goals: evidence from ASEAN countries," Economic Research-Ekonomska Istraživanja, vol. 36, no. 1, pp. 170-190, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1080/1331677X.2022.2072357 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/1331677X.2022.2072357
P. P. Rogers, K. F. Jalal, and J. A. Boyd, "An introduction to sustainable development," Earthscan, 2012. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781849770477
M. Geissdoerfer, S.N. Morioka, MM de Carvalho, and S. Evans, "Business models and supply chains for the circular economy," Journal of Cleaner Production, vol. 190, pp. 712-721, 2018. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.04.159 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.04.159
S. Oktavilia, M. Hapsari, A. Setyadharma, and I. F. S. Wahyuningsum, "Plastic Industry and World Environmental Problems," in E3S Web of Conferences, vol. 202, p. 05020, EDP Sciences, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/202020205020 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/202020205020
E. Foschi, S. Zanni, and A. Bonoli, "Combining eco-design and LCA as decision-making process to prevent plastics in packaging application," Sustainability, vol. 12, no. 22, p. 9738, Nov. 2020. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12229738 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su12229738
I. Berkane, A. Cabanes, O. Horodytska, I. Aracil, and A. Fullana, "The delamination of metalized multilayer flexible packaging using a microperforation technique," Resources, Conservation and Recycling, vol. 189, p. 106744, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2022.106744 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2022.106744
Z. Zhu, W. Liu, S. Ye, and L. Batista, "Packaging design for the circular economy: A systematic review," Sustainable Production and Consumption, vol. 32, pp. 817-832, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.spc.2022.06.005 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.spc.2022.06.005
S. Mangaraj, A. Yadav, L. M. Bal, S. K. Dash, and N. K. Mahanti, "Application of Biodegradable Polymers in Food Packaging Industry: A Comprehensive Review," J. Packaging Technol. Res., vol. 3, pp. 77-96, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41783-018-0049-y DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s41783-018-0049-y
T. Mekonnen, P. Mussone, H. Khalil, and D. Bressler, "Progress in bio-based plastics and plasticizing modifications," Journal of Materials Chemistry A, vol. 1, no. 43, pp. 13379-13398, 2013. https://doi.org/10.1039/C3TA12555F DOI: https://doi.org/10.1039/c3ta12555f
V. Siracusa, P. Rocculi, S. Romani, and M. Dalla Rosa, "Biodegradable polymers for food packaging: a review," Trends in Food Science & Technology, vol. 19, no. 12, pp. 634-643, Dec. 2008. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tifs.2008.07.003 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tifs.2008.07.003
W. Abdelmoez, I. Dahab, E. M. Ragab, O. A. Abdelsalam, and A. Mustafa, "Bio- and oxo-degradable plastics: Insights on facts and challenges," Polymers for Advanced Technologies, vol. 32, no. 5, pp. 1981-1996, May 2021. https://doi.org/10.1002/pat.5253 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/pat.5253
A. Alhanish and M. Abu Ghalia, "Developments of biobased plasticizers for compostable polymers in the green packaging applications: A review," Biotechnology Progress, vol. 37, no. 6, p. e3210, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1002/btpr.3210 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/btpr.3210
R. Spaccini, D. Todisco, M. Drosos, A. Nebbioso, and A. Piccolo, "Decomposition of bio-degradable plastic polymer in a real on-farm composting process," Chemical and Biological Technologies in Agriculture, vol. 3, pp. 1-12, 2016. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40538-016-0053-9 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40538-016-0053-9
M. Avella, E. Bonadies, E. Martuscelli, and R. Rimedio, "European current standardization for plastic packaging recoverable through composting and biodegradation," Polymer Testing, vol. 20, no. 5, pp. 517-521, 2001. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0142-9418(00)00068-4 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0142-9418(00)00068-4
S. M. Al-Salem, P. Lettieri, and J. Baeyens, "Recycling and recovery routes of plastic solid waste (PSW): A review," Waste Management, vol. 29, no. 10, pp. 2625-2643, 2009. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2009.06.004 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2009.06.004
D. Briassoulis, M. Hiskakis, and E. Babou, "Technical specifications for mechanical recycling of agricultural plastic waste," Waste Management, vol. 33, no. 6, pp. 1516-1530, Jun. 2013. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2013.03.004 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2013.03.004
C. Barlow and D. Morgan, "Polymer film packaging for food: An environmental assessment," Resources, Conservation and Recycling, vol. 78, pp. 74-80, 2013. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2013.07.003 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2013.07.003
J. Hopewell, R. Dvorak, and E. Kosior, "Plastics recycling: challenges and opportunities," Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, vol. 364, no. 1526, pp. 2115-2126, 2009. https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2008.0311 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2008.0311
N. C. Saha, A. K. Ghosh, M. Garg, S. D. Sadhu, "Food Packaging: Materials, Techniques and Environmental Issues," Springer Nature, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-4233-3 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-4233-3
A. M. Grumezescu and A. M. Holban, Food packaging and preservation, vol. 9, Academic Press, 2017.
V. Frigerio, A. Casson, and S.J. Limbo, "Comparison of different methodological choices in functional unit selection and results implication when assessing food-packaging environmental impact," Journal of Cleaner Production, vol. 396, p. 136527, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2023.136527 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2023.136527
N. Bittrich, M. I. R. Mogollón, and R. P. J. Larios-Francia, "Environmental Impact Assessment of Flexible Food Packaging," The International Journal of Environmental Sustainability, vol. 19, no. 1, p. 39, 2022. https://doi.org/10.18848/2325-1077/CGP/v19i01/39-61 DOI: https://doi.org/10.18848/2325-1077/CGP/v19i01/39-61
A. A. Wani, P. Singh, and H.-C. Langowski, "Introduction: Food Packaging Materials," In Food Packaging Materials, CRC Press, 2017, pp. 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781315374390 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315374390-1
T. De Pilli, A. Baiano, G. Lopriore, C. Russo, G. M. Cappelletti, "Sustainable Innovations in Food Packaging," Springer International Publishing, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-80936-2 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-80936-2
T. Anukiruthika, P. Sethupathy, A. Wilson, K. Kashampur, J. A. Moses, C. Anandharamakrishnan, "Multilayer Packaging: Advances in Preparation Techniques and Emerging Food Applications," Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety, vol. 19, no. 3, pp. 1156-1186, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1111/1541-4337.12556 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/1541-4337.12556
Y. Nasri, M.T. Benaniba, and M.J.M.T.P. Bouquey, "Elaboration and Characterization of Polymers Used in Flexible Multilayer Food Packaging," Materials Today: Proceedings, vol. 53, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2021.12.390 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2021.12.390
T. Dunn, "Manufacturing flexible packaging: materials, machinery, and techniques," William Andrew, 2014.
S. E. Selke and R.J. Hernandez, "Packaging: Polymers in Flexible Packaging," in KH Jürgen Buschow, Robert W. Cahn, Merton C. Flemings, Bernhard Ilschner, Edward J. Kramer, Subhash Mahajan, and Patrick Veyssière (eds.), Encyclopedia of Materials: Science and Technology, Elsevier, 2001, pp. 6652-6656. https://doi.org/10.1016/B0-08-043152-6/01176-1 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/B0-08-043152-6/01176-1
G. A. Uehara, M. P. França, and S. V. Canevarolo Junior, "Recycling assessment of multilayer flexible packaging films using design of experiments," Polímeros, vol. 25, pp. 371-381, 2015. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/0104-1428.1965 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/0104-1428.1965
A. M. Grumezescu and A. M. Holban (Eds.), Biopolymers for Food Design, vol. 20. Academic Press, 2018.
O. Lopez, M. A. Garcia, M. A. Villar, A. Gentili, M. S. Rodriguez, and L. Albertengo, "Thermo-compression of biodegradable thermoplastic corn starch films containing chitin and chitosan," LWT-Food Science and Technology, vol. 57, no. 1, pp. 106-115, 2014. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lwt.2014.01.024 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lwt.2014.01.024
B. M. Trinh, B. P. Chang, and T. H. Mekonnen, "The Barrier Properties of Sustainable Multiphase and Multicomponent Packaging Materials: A review," Progress in Materials Science, vol. 101071, May. 2023. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmatsci.2023.101071 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmatsci.2023.101071
S. Sid, R. S. Mor, A. Kishore, and V. S. Sharanagat, "Bio-sourced polymers as alternatives to conventional food packaging materials: A review," Trends in Food Science & Technology, vol. 115, pp. 87-104, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tifs.2021.06.026 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tifs.2021.06.026
A.-S. Bauer, M. Tacker, I. Uysal-Unalan, R. M. S. Cruz, T. Varzakas, and V. Krauter, "Recyclability and Redesign Challenges in Multilayer Flexible Food Packaging—A Review," Foods, vol. 10, no. 11, p. 2702, Nov. 2021. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods10112702 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/foods10112702
C. T. de Mello Soares, M. Ek, E. Östmark, M. Gällstedt, and S, Karlsson, “Recycling of multi-material multilayer plastic packaging: Current trends and future scenarios,” Resources, Conservation and Recycling, vol. 176, p. 105905, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2021.105905 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2021.105905
ASTM. L. Agreement, "Standard Guide for Determination of Thickness of Plastic Film Test Specimens." ASTM, vol. 08.03, pp. 7, 2021 https://doi.org/10.1520/D6988-21 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1520/D6988-21
ASTM. L. Agreement, "Standard Test Method for Seal Strength of Flexible Barrier Materials," ASTM, vol. 15.10, pp. 11, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1520/F0088_F0088M-21 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1520/F0088_F0088M-21
ASTM. L. Agreement, "Standard Test Method for Tensile Properties of Thin Plastic Sheeting," ASTM, vol. 08.01, pp. 12, 2018. https://doi.org/10.1520/D0882-18 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1520/D0882-18
ASTM. L. Agreement, "Standard Test Method for Wetting Tension of Polyethylene and Polypropylene Films," ASTM, vol. 08.01, pp. 4, 2018. https://doi.org/10.1520/D2578-09 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1520/D2578-09
ASTM. L. Agreement, "Standard Test Method for Oxygen Gas Transmission Rate Through Plastic Film and Sheeting Using a Coulometric Sensor," in ASTM, vol. 15.10, pp. 7, 2017. https://doi.org/10.1520/D3985-17 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1520/D3985-17
ASTM. L. Agreement, "Standard Test Method for Water Vapor Transmission Rate Through Plastic Film and Sheeting Using a Modulated Infrared Sensor," ASTM, vol. 15.10, pp. 6, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1520/F1249-20 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1520/F1249-20
ASTM. L. Agreement, "Standard Test Method for Determination of Leaks in Flexible Packaging by Bubble Emission," ASTM, vol. 15.10, pp. 3, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1520/D3078-02R21E01 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1520/D3078-02R21E01
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
Categories
License
Copyright (c) 2024 Johnatan Gabriel Bernal-Carrillo, Fernando Sebastián Chiwo-González, Ana del Carmen Susunaga-Notario, Mayra del Ángel–Monroy, Hugo Arcos–Gutiérrez, Isaías Emmanuel Garduño-Olvera
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
The authors who publish in this journal accept the following conditions:
The authors retain the copyright and assign to the journal the right of the first publication, with the work registered with the Creative Commons Attribution license 4.0, which allows third parties to use what is published as long as they mention the authorship of the work and the first publication in this magazine.
Authors may make other independent and additional contractual agreements for the non-exclusive distribution of the version of the article published in this journal (eg, include it in an institutional repository or publish it in a book) as long as they clearly indicate that the work it was first published in this magazine.
Authors are allowed and encouraged to share their work online (for example: in institutional repositories or personal web pages) before and during the manuscript submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, greater and more quick citation of published work (see The Effect of Open Access).
