Barriers to the Development of Compostable Packaging in the Food Sector Against the Background of the Circular Economy: The Case of Poland

Abstract

Purpose:The aim of the article is to identify the main barriers determining the low share of compostable food packaging in the circular economy in the country. Methodology:The IDI -Individual In-depth Interview method was conducted among stakeholders of the supply chain of compostable packaging in the food sector. The private sector, public sector, users and the non-profit sector were studied. Findings: From the obtained series of responses, those concerning the identification of barriers to the development of the compostable packaging market in the food sector were selected. Using the methods of induction and deduction, the catalog of these barriers was determined, the sources of their origin were indicated and their impact on the development of the market was shown. A particular focus for the analysis of the results was their reference to the postulates of the circular economy as the research background.. Practical Implications: The analysis of the research results provided knowledge and allowed to identify problem areas in the functioning of the compostable packaging market, supply chains and the circular economy, taking into account all stakeholders of the circular economy. Further directions of research and development in the presented problem were indicated. Originality/Value: Original research.

What Hinders the Development of a Sustainable Compostable Packaging Market?

“…The collected data were subjected to a detailed analysis process (Figure 2). The analysis resulted in the identification of 16 barriers concerning revealed four thematic problems (Marzantowicz and Wieteska-Rosiak 2021). Subsequently, all the barriers were systematized in the light of each SD perspective: environmental, economic, social, and governance (Table 3).…”

Compostable Packaging Waste Management—Main Barriers, Reasons, and the Potential Directions for Development

“…In line with this, by moving away from the waste of natural resources in linear interconnections, bio-packaging supply chain stakeholders strive to reduce the number of primary resources introduced into circulation through the cost-effective use of those already circulating therein [17]. Compostable food packaging refers to the following postulates of the circular economy: refuse, reduce, reuse, repair, refurbish, remanufacture, re-purpose, recycle materials, recover energy, re-mine [18]. The key activities determining the closure of the packaging cycle are waste management activities, which include effective selective waste collection, increasing the quality and level of recycling, giving up single-use products, and supporting the development of eco-design [1,19].…”