Environmental assessment of packaged fresh chicken: A Life Cycle perspective on packaging and waste impacts

Abstract

This thesis used the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) framework with the Product
Environmental Footprint (PEF) methodology to evaluate the environmental
performance of packaged fresh chicken. The study compared three modified
atmosphere packaging (MAP) configurations, with the difference in their tray: a
baseline tray and two mono-material alternatives. The LCA, with PEF guidelines
where applicable, followed a cradle-to-grave system boundary, covering chicken
processing, packaging production, and the use phase, which included food waste
quantified by a simple shelf-life model. End-of-life disposal scenarios were also
included.
Results show that chicken production dominates environmental impacts across all
categories. Packaging contributions varied, with trays - particularly multi-material,
were the main hotspots due to material production and weight. Incorporating food
waste effects revealed trade-offs: improved recyclability of mono-material designs
often coincided with reduced barrier performance, shortening shelf life and
increasing food waste impacts. Sensitivity analysis confirmed the robustness of
these trends.
Overall, the study highlights that packaging design strategies for fresh poultry must
balance direct packaging impacts with indirect effects from food waste. Thereby,
the importance of taking a systems perspective is emphasized. Integrating the PEF
methodology, although restricted, allows for improved comparability with PEF
categories and policy alignment. Shelf-life data is further needed to reflect the
product-packaging interactions and packaging performance.

Popular Abstract

When we buy fresh chicken from the store, it usually comes in a plastic tray sealed with film,
and sometimes with special gases inside to keep the meat fresh. Many people wonder: is all
that packaging really necessary, and how bad is it for the environment—together with the
chicken itself?
To answer this, it was important to study the whole journey of packaged fresh chicken. You
can think of it as following the chicken and its packaging through its entire “life story” – from
the farm to the slaughterhouse and the supermarket, to our fridge at home, to the recycling bin
or trash, and finally to the waste treatment plant! The findings were fascinating: the chicken
itself is by far the biggest environmental problem, much more than the packaging, especially
if your chicken goes to waste. This is because raising chickens uses a lot of land, water, feed,
and energy. Therefore, packaging plays an important role because it can prevent food waste.
At the same time, improving chicken production is key to lowering chicken’s footprint. And
at home, we can help by preventing food waste. In short, a little bit of plastic can save a lot of
chicken—and saving chicken means saving the planet.

• author: Nguyen, Phuong Linh
• supervisor: Daniel Hellström
• organization: Packaging Logistics
• alternative title: The Environmental Cost of Fresh Chicken: Production, Packaging, and Waste Impacts
• course: MTTM01 20252
• year: 2025
• type: H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
• subject: Technology and Engineering
• keywords: packaging, food waste, product design, regulation, Life Cycle Assessment
• language: English
• id: 9211078
• date added to LUP: 2025-09-02 09:46:06
• date last changed: 2025-09-02 09:46:06