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
August 15, 2023
ZWE critiques industry-funded Life Cycle Assessments on reusable packaging in new report
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
March 9, 2022
Expanded version of Understanding Packaging (UP) Scorecard released
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
March 24, 2021
New textbook on designing safer and more sustainable chemicals
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
November 20, 2020
LCA study investigates impacts of beverage packaging types
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
October 29, 2020
FPF Workshop 2020: Proceedings available
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
October 29, 2020
FPF Workshop 2020: Scientific research and policy making
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
July 21, 2020
EU initiative to standardize quantification of environmental impacts
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
July 3, 2020
PVC additive assessment tool
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’
May 20, 2020
Study integrates PFAS into life cycle assessment
Researchers create framework to consider the impacts of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in life cycle assessment (LCA); develops impact characterization factors within USEtox model; finds that even low PFAS emissions can have large effects on LCA results
