262
P. Rajesh and V. Subhashini
sources, Post-consumer recycled polyethylene bags made from recycled waste,
recycled molded packaging for eggs etc. are preferred for sustainable packaging.
The Four Main Types of Sustainable packaging Solutions
Looking at sustainable packaging in general terms, there are four main types of
sustainable packaging Solutions.
• Renewable resource-based packaging. Starch-derived PLA (lactic acid) is a material that is 90% biodegraded within nine months when placed in an industrial
composting facility. PLA can be by processed from sugar cane, potatoes, corn or
other starchy foods.
• Packaging with additives: The packaging market has two types of additives such
as OXO and BIO additives which are added to make the packaging degradable.
• Packaging optimization: Packaging reduction, is a prime area where many
companies focus on while retaining product protection
• Recycled materials: Recycling materials is a prime and staple process within the
sustainable packaging industry.
3 Biodegradable Packaging Material
In recent years, the research and development of biodegradable packaging materials from renewable natural resources has received increasing attention, particularly in the developed countries. Researchers have made significant progress in
producing biodegradable materials with similar functionality to that of the oil-based
synthetic polymers. As the raw materials are sourced from renewable resources and
are biodegradable, they would contribute to sustainable development and reduce the
environmental impact upon disposal.
Owing to the type of packaging and the content they carry, in the recent years
biopolymer are suggested for sustainable packing material with preferable properties such as permeability (gas and vapour), sealing and resistance to chemicals,
UV and light, transparency, mechanical properties and machinability (Ashok et al.
2016b). Research shows that many physical and thermal properties like Atomic Layer
Deposition, Moisture Bearing property, Biodegradability, Elasticity and Gas barrier
property, edible Film coating play an important role in refining biopolymers(Ashok
et al. 2016b).
Sustainable packaging is the development of packaging film by utilizing recyclable materials and it involves the use of lifecycle assessments and lifecycle inventories to minimize the ecological footprint and environmental impact of the packaging. The Sustainable Packaging Coalition (http://www.sustainablepackaging.org)
defines sustainable packaging as “Beneficial, safe and healthy for individuals and
communities throughout its lifecycle; Meeting market criteria for both performance
and cost; Sourced, manufactured, transported and recycled using renewable energy;
Optimizing the use of renewable or recycled source materials; Manufactured using
clean production technologies and best practices; Produced from materials that are
safe in all probable end of life scenarios; Physically designed to optimize materials
P. Rajesh and V. Subhashini
sources, Post-consumer recycled polyethylene bags made from recycled waste,
recycled molded packaging for eggs etc. are preferred for sustainable packaging.
The Four Main Types of Sustainable packaging Solutions
Looking at sustainable packaging in general terms, there are four main types of
sustainable packaging Solutions.
• Renewable resource-based packaging. Starch-derived PLA (lactic acid) is a material that is 90% biodegraded within nine months when placed in an industrial
composting facility. PLA can be by processed from sugar cane, potatoes, corn or
other starchy foods.
• Packaging with additives: The packaging market has two types of additives such
as OXO and BIO additives which are added to make the packaging degradable.
• Packaging optimization: Packaging reduction, is a prime area where many
companies focus on while retaining product protection
• Recycled materials: Recycling materials is a prime and staple process within the
sustainable packaging industry.
3 Biodegradable Packaging Material
In recent years, the research and development of biodegradable packaging materials from renewable natural resources has received increasing attention, particularly in the developed countries. Researchers have made significant progress in
producing biodegradable materials with similar functionality to that of the oil-based
synthetic polymers. As the raw materials are sourced from renewable resources and
are biodegradable, they would contribute to sustainable development and reduce the
environmental impact upon disposal.
Owing to the type of packaging and the content they carry, in the recent years
biopolymer are suggested for sustainable packing material with preferable properties such as permeability (gas and vapour), sealing and resistance to chemicals,
UV and light, transparency, mechanical properties and machinability (Ashok et al.
2016b). Research shows that many physical and thermal properties like Atomic Layer
Deposition, Moisture Bearing property, Biodegradability, Elasticity and Gas barrier
property, edible Film coating play an important role in refining biopolymers(Ashok
et al. 2016b).
Sustainable packaging is the development of packaging film by utilizing recyclable materials and it involves the use of lifecycle assessments and lifecycle inventories to minimize the ecological footprint and environmental impact of the packaging. The Sustainable Packaging Coalition (http://www.sustainablepackaging.org)
defines sustainable packaging as “Beneficial, safe and healthy for individuals and
communities throughout its lifecycle; Meeting market criteria for both performance
and cost; Sourced, manufactured, transported and recycled using renewable energy;
Optimizing the use of renewable or recycled source materials; Manufactured using
clean production technologies and best practices; Produced from materials that are
safe in all probable end of life scenarios; Physically designed to optimize materials