Sustainability Analysis of Active Packaging for the Fresh Cut Vegetable Industry by Means of Attributional & Consequential Life Cycle Assessment

Abstract

In order to enlarge the shelf life and avoid the waste of fresh-cut (FC) products, novel packaging techniques with antimicrobial properties have been proposed. In this work, we analyzed the potential environmental benefits of using films reinforced with bactericidal ZnO nanoparticles (NP) for FC produce packaging, when compared to the traditional polypropylene (PP) films. A biodegradable, polylactic acid (PLA) package and a non-biodegradable, polypropylene package, both coated with ZnO NP, were considered as novel technologies. The eco-profile of the considered alternatives was assessed via two life cycle assessments (LCAs). Firstly, an attributional LCA was performed in order to compare the materials in terms of their production and end of life (EOL) processes, allowing us to extend the conclusions to different food products. Secondly, a consequential LCA was performed taking into account the whole life cycle of the fresh vegetable, with special attention to the environmental implications of the produce losses among the chain. The uncertainties of the models were assessed via Monte Carlo approach. In both cases, the scenarios concerning the PLA and PP active packages with ZnO NP showed a better profile than the traditional techniques, specifically when considering the full supply chain of the FC vegetables in the consequential LCA. As agricultural production is the main contributor to the environmental impact of the cycle, the avoidance of wastes by extending the shelf life through the novel packages leads to the impact reduction of FC products.

Assessing the environmental consequences of shelf life extension: Conventional versus active packaging for pastry cream

“…These results reinforce the hypothesis that increasing product shelf life through alternative packaging is crucial to reduce food waste, even if the impact of the packaging itself increases (see subsection 3.3.1). Previous studies on other AP alternatives achieve similar results, although the active packaging materials were different, as well as the approach used to estimate the food waste generated (Manfredi et al, 2015;Vigil et al, 2020;Zhang et al, 2015). The method used to estimate the amount of wasted food due to shelf life expiration is thus decisive when comparing the two product-packaging systems.…”

“…These data allowed the parameters of the three models to be obtained, although the results were not validated with real data. This model was later adopted by Vigil et al (2020) in a case study on fresh cut salad. An economic perspective was adopted by Gutierrez et al (2017) to determine the waste at retailer level in a case study on two packaging alternatives for cheesecake.…”

“…Nevertheless, when analysing the environmental impacts of food packaging, many LCA studies do not take into account the packed product (Williams and Wikström, 2011) although, in that way, the influence of the product and product waste on the environmental impact of the product-packaging system is neglected (Grönman et al, 2013;Molina-Besch, 2016). Thus, recent LCAs on packaging, and specifically on AP (Manfredi et al, 2015;Vigil et al, 2020;Zhang et al, 2015), have included the food life cycle in the system boundaries; although these studies considered different packaging systems, such as coextruded films and coatings that release organic volatile substances, or nanocomposites obtained by melt blending. In any case, the development of AP implies an additional environmental impact due to the use of resources for the production and stabilization of the coating.…”

Biobased composites from agro-industrial wastes and by-products

“…In addition, current agricultural practices have a great impact on the LCA of biobased products, being sustainable practices needed to reduce eutrophication, prevent soil erosion, and protect biodiversity. Incidentally, an LCA study carried out by Vigil et al [502] on active packaging for the fresh-cut vegetable industry, indicated that agricultural production of fresh lettuces is responsible for most impact factors, followed by packaging manufacturing. An alternative to tackle the latter, the use of fully renewably sourced electricity for packaging molding technology could reduce in over 50% the potential impact [358].…”

Apple pomace management by anaerobic digestion and composting: a life cycle assessment

“…23 Outside the biorefining scenario, LCA has been used to analyze the environmental benefits of active packaging for fresh cut vegetables with bactericidal nanoparticles in comparison with traditional antimicrobial techniques. 24 It has also compared the traditional polypropylene plastic film with a biodegradable polylactic acid package. In both cases, LCA profiles presented better results for the biodegradable and traditional packaging with nanoparticles than traditional antimicrobial methods.…”