Sustainable Packaging: How do we Define and Measure It?

Sustainability in the packaging domain is receiving increasing attention, however, internationally there is no clear understanding about what constitutes ‘sustainable packaging’. This paper presents a draft definition of sustainable packaging. The definition aims to reconcile the valuable roles played by packaging in social and economic systems, while also acknowledging the need to meet ambitious environmental goals. It introduces the goal (sustainable development) as well as key ideas such as the need to consider the product/packaging system as a whole and to consider the entire product life cycle. It considers the three elements of sustainability: the economic or commercial functions that packaging fulfils, and its social and environmental functions. It also differentiates between different levels of concern, i.e. from the macro levels of society (prosperity and well-being), the intermediate levels of the product/packaging system (efficiency and effectiveness including product waste prevention) to the micro levels of packaging materials (closed cycles or zero waste) and packaging components (safe or non-toxic). In conjunction with the definition, the Sustainable Packaging Alliance in close cooperation with Australian based (including global) companies, is developing a Packaging Impact Quick Evaluation Tool (PIQET © ). PIQET © will be a decision support tool that provides packaging technologists and managers with hands-on input for defining company packaging strategies, selecting materials for packaging redesign or packaging innovation, and specifying packaging for procurement of incoming goods. This presentation outlines the early developments of PIQET © .