Out of the Box: Exploring Cardboard Returnability in Nanostore Supply Chains

Packaging appearance is important in a competitive market. Designers strive to create products that attract customers and often use laminated packaging, due to the attractive appearance and quality characteristics of the material. The circular economy in the recycling of cardboard packaging helps to reduce waste, saves natural resources and increases the quality of the environment. All of the above contributes to sustainable production, but the quality and properties of the obtained recycled paper materials should not be ignored. Recycling of laminated cardboard packaging often has a negative impact on the quality of recycled paper, due to the formation of sticky particles that can affect the optical properties of recycled paper and the efficiency of the recycling process. This article provides insight into the influence of each stage of production of packaging intended for pharmaceutical products on the properties and characteristics of recycled paper. The standard INGEDE 11 deinking method was used to remove dyes and other impurities from the pulp. The obtained optical results of the characteristics of recycled laboratory sheets obtained from laminated and non-laminated cardboard samples were compared in order to determine the impact of each stage of box production on the quality of the paper pulp. The acquired knowledge can be applied in the design phase of a more sustainable product, and laminated materials can be used in luxury products or to increase the functionality of the packaging. Designing for recycling will contribute to an increase in the quality of the obtained paper mass, which is directly related to an increase in the productivity of recycling and the sustainability of the packaging production process.

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Influence of the Production Stages of Cardboard Pharmaceutical Packaging on the Circular Economy

Klemenčić,

Bolanča Mirković,

Bolf

2023

“…The intertwining of technical, sensorial, aesthetic, and ethical material properties becomes essential for proper packaging development. Material availability and safety, cost, processability, and recyclability or reusability [8,9] are some of the factors that define the current packaging material selection criteria. Among others, paper and cardboard represent a big share [10].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Coated Paper-Based Packaging Waste: Investigation on Sensorial Properties Affecting the Material Class Perception

Marinelli,

Papile,

Del Curto

2023

Packaging waste correct sorting hugely impacts fiber-based packaging circularity. Currently, this is more crucial than ever, also due to the increased market share of fiber-based packaging. This study evaluated the relationship between the aesthetic properties and user material sorting actions of lightweight dispersion-coated and uncoated paper substrates. Unlike previous literature, no labeling or graphics were involved in this study, focusing on the physical and aesthetic properties of both coatings and substrates. Untrained panelists participated in a multi-phase (descriptive and hedonic) analysis involving a questionnaire and antonym scales about samples’ visual and tactile properties, which were also characterized. The results highlight a remarkable panelist’s ability to assess the relative gloss and roughness. Perceived roughness and mattness statistically significantly correlated to cellulosic material identification. Moreover, material sorting into the paper recycling stream was statistically significantly regulated by sample mattness, followed by sample roughness. This work suggests that, without any graphic or textual information, the combination of substrate characteristics and coating formulation strongly impacts the packaging aesthetics, hence packaging perception as paper-based material. Consequently, the correct material identification and sorting can be encouraged by proper packaging materials selection and coating development.

Empowering Nanostores for Competitiveness and Sustainable Communities in Emerging Countries: A Generative Artificial Intelligence Strategy Ideation Process

Salinas-Navarro,

Vilalta-Perdomo,

Michel-Villarreal

2024

This exploratory study investigates Generative Artificial Intelligence’s (GenAI) use in strategy ideation for nanostores—i.e., small independent grocery retailers—to enhance their competitiveness while contributing to community sustainability. Nanostores, particularly in emerging countries, face intense competition and rapidly changing trends. These stores adopt various strategies by leveraging their proximity to consumers in neighbourhoods, resulting in different business configurations. While the existing literature highlights the broader nanostores’ functions, there is limited research on how they may develop comprehensive strategies to face their challenges. By employing a thing ethnography methodology, this work proposes GenAI thing interviewing—i.e., with ChatGPT 3.5 and Microsoft Copilot—through incremental prompting to explore potential strategy ideation and practices. Key findings suggest GenAI conversations can aid shopkeepers in strategy ideation through human-like written language, aligning with small business dynamics and structures. This proposition results in a GenAI ideation framework for strategy generation and definition. Moreover, this technology can enhance nanostore competitiveness and sustainability impact by enacting improved strategy practices in stakeholder engagements. Accordingly, this work’s main contribution underscores a GenAI-enabled conversational approach to facilitate nanostores’ strategy ideation and embedding in everyday business operations. Future work must address the limitations and further investigate GenAI’s influence on human understanding and technological creation, strategy ideation, adoption, and usability in nanostores.