Understanding plastic packaging: The co-evolution of materials and society

Evans, David M.; Parsons, Richard E.; Jackson, Peter; Greenwood, Sarah C.; Ryan, Anthony J.

doi:10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2020.102166

Cited by 57 publications

(38 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…Through the theoretical contribution of the paper, plastic's material agency and responsibility (cf. Evans et al , 2020) has been situated amongst a wider network of actants relating to science, technology and society (Cochoy, 2009). Situating the services that it provides both amongst and connected to the supply side (e.g.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It is through the presentation of the three examples that the paper contributes to a growing understanding of plastic's agency and responsibility (cf. Evans et al , 2020) in UK food retail history through the delivery and enhancement of Marks and Spencer's core values. Empirically, this paper follows other studies that have explored the role of objects that equip actors, generally consumers, in particular ways (e.g.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Given the ecological problems associated with plastic packaging are deeply connected to its everyday use by consumers and professionals in the food system, it is important to study how societies have organized their provision of food, especially in respect to how food is cultivated, processed, distributed and consumed (Sattlegger et al , 2020). Responding to this and the recent calls to understand the “norms and practices that maintain the role of plastics in society” (Nielsen et al , 2020), this paper considers plastic's technical capacity and the service it provides as part of a wider socio-technical arrangement (Evans et al , 2020). That is, the meaning of a technical artefact (plastic packaging) or technological system is shaped by and acquires its meanings in the heterogeneity of social interactions (Bijker, 1997).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Responding to this and the recent calls to understand the 'norms and practices that maintain the role of plastics in society' (Nielsen et al, 2020), this paper considers plastic's technical capacity and the service it provides as part of a wider socio-technical arrangement (Evans et al, 2020). That is, the meaning of a technical artefact (plastic packaging) or technological system is shaped by and acquires its meanings in the heterogeneity of social interactions (Bijker, 1997).…”

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confidence: 99%

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The role of plastic packaging in transforming food retailing

Parsons

2021

BFJ

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PurposeWhilst plastic packaging has recently been critiqued for its detrimental effects on the environment, it is largely overlooked in histories of food retailing. This paper presents a historical perspective on plastic packaging, highlighting its role in transforming UK food retailing throughout the middle to late twentieth century.Design/methodology/approachThis paper is based on an analysis of the Marks & Spencer Company Archive, supplemented by company histories and biographical sources. Three examples were purposively selected based on their technologically innovative role in maintaining and enhancing Marks & Spencer's core values.FindingsThe analysis highlights plastic packaging's significance in enabling Marks & Spencer's product development process whilst maintaining and enhancing the company's core values of standards, quality, safety, freshness, hygiene and convenience. The examples demonstrate the role of plastics in technological innovation, achieving key commercial objectives in product development and contributing to the transformation of food retailing.Research limitations/implicationsThe research focuses on three specific examples of packaging innovation, drawing out their wider implications for socio-technical change in UK food retailing.Originality/valueThis historical research suggests that greater attention should be paid to plastic packaging including its material properties and the services it provides, moving beyond a blanket condemnation by acknowledging its multiple affordances in the food sector. These historical insights are instructive when thinking about the future of retailing and shopping in the context of the need for better environmental outcomes.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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confidence: 99%

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The role of plastic packaging in transforming food retailing

Parsons

2021

BFJ

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“…As minor as this issue would seem, consumers rejected the new packaging. 100 The lesson here is clear, consumers have expectations about product cost and performance and are not yet prepared to sacrifice these for sustainability. Sustainable alternatives must match both the price point and performance of unsustainable current-use materials if they are to be adopted.…”

Section: Key Takeawaysmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sustainable Polymers Square Table Final Report

Pablo

Buenaflor

Chan

et al. 2021

Preprint

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OverviewThe discovery, development, and deployment of sustainable polymers, the molecules that make up plastics, are critical to the health of the globe and its inhabitants. Moreover, the economic vitality of the multitudinous industries that use polymers in their processes and products will be critically reliant on sustainable solutions because of many interwoven factors that include environmental stewardship, policy compliance, and societal and investor demands. Stakeholders in the polymeric materials ecosystem clearly recognize the significant motivating factors in a push to meet the requirements of a circular economy and thus a sustainable future. Inertia associated with the current polymer production and consumption landscapes, however, has resulted in resistance toward change that has proven challenging to overcome. Factors that have contributed to the status quo include the ubiquitous nature of plastics utilization across all sectors of the economy, the incredibly diverse and tunable functional attributes of polymeric materials that make them desirable to other material alternatives, and the highly optimized and economic mass manufacturing capabilities associated with plastics derived from low-cost petroleum resources. There is an urgent need for change to solve our pressing plastics predicament: modern society depends on these polymeric materials and continually expects increased performance and functionality but suffers dire consequences from the associated pollution, which takes the forms that include greenhouse gas emissions from plastic production, and accumulation of plastic waste in the environment. A solution to this polymer puzzle is imperative.Given the current advantages of plastics in modern society and the clear recognition of the everaccumulating waste associated with their disposal, lack of efficient recycling technologies and infrastructure, and persistence in the environment, it is clear that a new approach is needed We are motivated by the successes associated with the Materials Genome Initiative (MGI), 1 where the close coupling of experiment and theory has facilitated materials discovery in some sectors. But while an MGI approach has been effective at accelerating the research cycle of prediction, synthesis, and characterization, efforts to incorporate the elements of translation and technological deployment into that cycle have been limited. This is especially true in the soft materials arena. If a next-generation MGI-like approach spanning length scales (from atomic to molecular to material) and time scales (from nanoseconds to decades) can be envisioned, implemented, and supported, and if attention is given to technological feasibility, it will serve as

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The imperative of communication signals in boosting business strategies of the bioplastic packaging industry

et al. 2023

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Despite the rapid growth of sustainable innovations in bioplastics for packaging industries, their diffusion into established markets has so far been hampered by ambiguous and asymmetrical communication between bioplastics producers and consumers (both businesses and end consumers), particularly related to bioplastics materials and their waste disposal procedures. This study looks into the communication processes, identifies barriers and investigates business strategies that can be adopted by bioplastic packaging industries to influence consumer adoption and proper disposal behaviour of bioplastic packaging. Based on a systematic review of 68 journal articles and guided by the signalling theory, the study found that connections with various signallers at the end‐of‐life of bioplastic packaging materials are required beyond the purview of the industrial sectors utilising the packaging. The paper proposes a conceptual framework incorporating new signal constructs specific to consumer‐facing sustainable innovation. The framework extends the signalling theory to be used as part of the bioplastic packaging industry's business strategy. The paper also emphasises the importance of altering the communication mechanisms in order to boost bioplastics industrial practices, which will subsequently contribute to the reduction of the detrimental impacts of fossil‐based plastics on the environment.

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Understanding plastic packaging: The co-evolution of materials and society

Cited by 57 publications

References 26 publications

The role of plastic packaging in transforming food retailing

The role of plastic packaging in transforming food retailing

Sustainable Polymers Square Table Final Report

The imperative of communication signals in boosting business strategies of the bioplastic packaging industry

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