Topics
LCA
December 16, 2025
French government agency assesses environmental benefits of reusable glass compared to other materials; finds glass performs better than other materials in most cases; assessment does not account for human health impact of plastic chemicals
Reading time: 3 minutes
August 16, 2024
Thai Industrial Standards Institute adopts international standard for undertaking life cycle assessments of biobased plastics
Reading time: 1 minute
June 6, 2024
European Joint Research Centre (JRC) publishes document to guide designers and assessors through the application of the voluntary Safe and Sustainable by Design framework; describes the steps of the framework, how to define system, frequently asked questions, and suggestions for where to find more information; following framework does not guarantee EU regulatory compliance; European Commission accepting feedback until August 30, 2024
Reading time: 1 minute
March 4, 2024
European Commission Joint Research Centre (JRC) publishes life cycle assessment (LCA) case studies covering five single-use versus reusable packaging scenarios; incorporates 16 impacts; paper production practices and consumer behavior play significant role in final, single impact score; reuse tended to perform better in most scenarios, significantly so when comparing reusable glass bottles versus single-use glass
Reading time: 4 minutes
October 4, 2023
European Commission Joint Research Centre (JRC) case studies favor reusable over single-use packaging in reducing environmental impacts; consumer behavior, washing practices significant factor in footprint of reusables; manufacturing a significant factor for single-use; covers to-go beverage, take-away food, wine bottles, restaurant scenario; performed the study for packaging and packaging waste regulation (PPWR) policy process; final report expected November 2023
Reading time: 3 minutes
August 15, 2023
Zero Waste Europe compares three packaging life cycle assessment (LCA) studies; two are industry-funded, one is published by a university; finds that industry funding introduces heavy biases when making assumptions about reuse systems; also finds industry-funded reports lack transparency in methodologies
Reading time: 3 minutes
October 19, 2022
In the afternoon of the Food Packaging Forum’s annual workshop, speakers discuss changing narratives to make information actionable, share behind-the-scenes of a reuse system running for over 80 years; panels discuss visions, obstacles for a sustainable food system
Reading time: 8 minutes
October 19, 2022
On the morning of the Food Packaging Forum’s annual workshop, speakers discuss changes in food contact material (FCM) regulation in the EU, US, and Asia; panels discuss key research and policy developments over the last decade
Topics: 2022 workshop, china, endocrine disruptor, EU, European Parliament, India, Indonesia, Japan, LCA, Philippines, recycling, Thailand, USA, workshop
Reading time: 10 minutes
July 20, 2021
Understanding Packaging (UP) Scorecard evaluates and compares impacts of foodware and food packaging; beta version of the tool published, new features and expanded product coverage planned; developed by a multistakeholder collaboration including the Food Packaging Forum
Topics: circular economy, glass, LCA, metals, paper & board, plastics, pollution, recycling, scorecard
Reading time: 2 minutes
April 13, 2021
Retailers Lidl and Colruyt announce testing front-of-pack EcoScore label; uses life cycle assessment to estimate ecological footprint based on climate change, water use, land use, acidification; considers packaging recyclability; if test-phase successful Lidl will consider implementation in all its German locations
Reading time: 2 minutes
