Topics
life cycle assessment
May 21, 2024
Scientists develop holistic conceptual framework to determine polymers of concern; criteria go beyond intrinsic properties and take life cycle considerations into account; packaging particularly problematic regarding environmental leakage; scientists are calling for swift action on polymers of concern despite some data gaps
Reading time: 3 minutes
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
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
March 9, 2022
New version of the UP Scorecard features over 70 additional foodware and food packaging products; simpler navigation across menus, and improved customization of containers; helps companies compare common products to make more sustainable purchasing decisions based on six impact areas
Topics: life cycle assessment, scorecard
Reading time: 1 minute
March 24, 2021
Academic scientists from ETH Zürich publish textbook teaching fundamental tools, methods, and concepts for designing chemical products and processes; includes life cycle assessment, product and process risk assessment, thermal safety, key regulations, societal dialogue; features workable case study developed with industry partners
Topics: life cycle assessment, risk assessment
Reading time: 2 minutes
November 20, 2020
Scientists from University of Southampton publish life cycle assessment (LCA) estimating primarily environmental impacts of five types of packaging across three beverage categories; find lowest impacts caused by recycled aluminum cans for pressurized drinks, Tetra Pak for fruit juices, cartons for milk
Topics: life cycle assessment, recycling
Reading time: 2 minutes
October 29, 2020
8th annual Food Packaging Forum workshop focuses on linking policy-making with scientific research to improve the safety of food contact materials; video recordings, presentation slides, and summary articles now available online
Topics: bioplastics, cadmium, cancer, EFSA, exposure, glass, hazard assessment, lead, life cycle assessment, regulation
Reading time: 2 minutes
October 29, 2020
Six speakers share their views on how to improve food contact material (FCM) safety; different approaches might complement one another; linking scientific research, policy making and industry initiatives could be the key to safe FCMs
Reading time: 6 minutes
July 21, 2020
European Commission publishes roadmap, inception impact assessment; initiative aims to require companies to substantiate environmental footprint claims made about their products or services, reduce ‘greenwashing’; open for feedback until August 31, 2020
Reading time: 1 minute
July 3, 2020
Industry initiative Vinyl Plus announces creation of tool to assess life cycle impacts of additives used in the production of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) products; civil society groups criticize the approach as ‘greenwashing and misleading’
Topics: life cycle assessment, PVC
Reading time: 1 minute
