Towards Sustainable Packaging: A Framework for the Milk and Plant-Based Beverage Industry

Abstract

The beverage packaging industry is growing rapidly, driven by urbanization and changing lifestyles. Demand for packaged beverages with extended shelf life is driving sales of products with superior barrier properties, due to the high environmental impact of food waste compared to packaging waste. Despite progress, packaging waste represents more than a third of total waste. Thus, milk and plant-based beverage stakeholders emphasize the need to move towards sustainable packaging. In this view, the purpose of the study is to explore drivers and barriers influencing the progression of the milk and plant-based beverage industry towards sustainable packaging, with the aim to develop a framework that identifies critical areas of impact. This purpose is fulfilled through guided interviews to key stakeholders, and the information is complemented with a literature review.
The proposed framework provides a structured approach to overcoming barriers and achieving sustainability goals, identifying technology, recycling and sorting systems, and regulation as key impact areas. The technologies, including recycled materials and renewable content, align with regulatory objectives. However, challenges remain, particularly with bio-based materials and reusable solutions. Efficient recycling and sorting systems, supported by innovative technologies, are crucial for a circular economy.
Future research should further explore impact areas to propose alternative strategies, focusing on production costs and stakeholder perceptions. Expanding the scope to include packaging system, understanding the impacts of size, and involving more stakeholders such as machinery and raw materials producers, will improve the understanding and effectiveness of sustainable packaging strategies.

Popular Abstract

In recent years, the beverage packaging industry has seen significant expansion and innovation, driven by the growing urban population and fast-paced lifestyles. Industry players’ reliance on packaged beverages with long shelf life is driving sales of products with superior barrier properties. Since it is well known that the environmental impact of food waste exceeds that of packaging waste by a significant margin, highlighting the need to address food waste as a critical component of sustainable strategies, especially for perishable foods like milk and plant-based beverages, which are prone to spoilage. However, the environmental impact generated by packaging cannot be overlooked, as more than a third of the waste produced in the EU consists of packaging waste. Additionally, the unavailability of efficient waste sorting systems reduces the recovery rate. In recent years, collaborative policy initiatives have emerged to address the pressing problems of packaging waste. In the current scenario, there is a rise in demand for high-performance and sustainable packaging solutions. Packaging designers are challenged to consider functional benefits and environmental waste generation when designing sustainable packaging.
However, the adoption of sustainable packaging poses many challenges for various stakeholders along the supply chain. This represents an opportunity for the milk and plant-based beverage industry to explore the drivers and barriers influencing the industry’s progress towards sustainable packaging, with the aim of developing a framework that identifies critical areas of impact. This purpose is fulfilled through guided interviews with key actors and the information is complemented with a review of the literature.
The proposed framework provides a structured approach to overcoming barriers to sustainable packaging. By leveraging drivers such as co-opetition throughout the value chain, financial support and communication, clear regulatory criteria and having a team equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills, stakeholders can focus their resources effectively. Addressing barriers like production cost, criteria in regulation, and industry and consumer perceptions, allows for targeted efforts. The framework considers a well-rounded integration of social, economic, ecological and safe practices within the circular value chain. As a result of this framework, recycling and sorting systems, technology and regulation have been identified as key impact areas to advance towards sustainable packaging. This mainly because regulatory criteria significantly influence the technology strategies adopted by stakeholders and the success of these technologies relies heavily on the efficiency of existing recycling and sorting systems.
This work can be used as a stepping stone for future research projects to further explore areas of impact and propose alternative strategies. Expanding the scope to include the packaging system, understanding the impacts of size, and involving more stakeholders such as machinery and raw material producers will improve the understanding and effectiveness of sustainable packaging strategies.

• author: Fuentes Rodriguez, Iosselin Katiuska
• supervisor: Fredrik Nilsson
• organization: Packaging Logistics
• course: MTTM01 20241
• year: 2024
• type: H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
• subject: Agriculture and Food Sciences
• language: English
• id: 9163986
• date added to LUP: 2024-06-19 16:58:37
• date last changed: 2024-06-19 16:58:37