268
P. Rajesh and V. Subhashini
7 Conclusion
Reduction in the amount of packaging and use of eco-friendly packaging material
provide an attractive opportunity to promote environmental sustainability. Sustainable packaging from the raw material, to process and its biodegradability is an
environmentally sound advice. It not only is cost effective for both the consumers
and manufacturers but it also helps to ensure a cleaner environment for the future
generations.
An LCA of the packaging industry shows that climate change, cumulative energy
demand, minerals and fuels consumption, Photochemical oxidation, Eutrophication,
Land use water use and soild waste are the environmental impacts caused. According
to Silvenius et al. (2011), 2–5% of the total environmental impact could be attributed
to the packaging industry to be responsible for greenhouse emission, eutrophication, and acidification impacted categories Though several issues discourage the
implementation of sustainable packaging usage, recent awareness and consumer attitude has increased the demand for such biodegradable packages. Biopolymers were
developed in an environmental perspective and they exhibit excellent competitive
properties (temperature resistance, thermal conductance, oxygen transmission rate
tensile strength and water vapor transmission rate) when compared to other materials. Biodegradable packaging has reduced the shelf life of plastics and enhanced
plastic recycling programs. Additionally, the bulk material abundance, renewability,
and recyclability provide better options to the biopolymer industry. Green Packaging
and Sustainable packaging has increased in popularity in the last few years. This shift
in wave of popularity is due the increased awareness on environmental sustainability,
move towards combating climate change and protection of vulnerable ecosystems.
Though many packing firms now operate in support of sustainable packaging in the
trend of circular economy, more innovations and sustainable packing solutions are
expected to boom in the coming decades.
References
Abou-Yousef H, El-Sakhawy M, Kamel S (2005) Multi-stage bagasse pulping by using alkali/Caro’s
acid treatment. Ind Crops Prod 21(3):337–341
Andrady AL, Neal MA (2009) Applications and societal benefits of plastics. Philos Trans R Soc B:
Biol Sci 364(1526):1977–1984
Ashok A, Rejeesh CR, Renjith R (2016a) Biodegradable Polymers for Sustainable Packaging
Applications: A Review. Int J Bionics Biomater 2(2):1–11
Ashok A, Mathew M, Rejeesh CR (2016b) Innovative value chain development of modified starch
for a sustainable environment: a review. Int J Polym Sci Eng. 2(1):20–32
ASTM (2000) Standard test methods for water vapor transmission of materials. ASTM Annual
Book of ASTM Standards 2000:907–914
ASTM C 1048 (2004) Standard specification for heat-treated flat glass-kind HS. Kind FT Coated
and Uncoated Glass
P. Rajesh and V. Subhashini
7 Conclusion
Reduction in the amount of packaging and use of eco-friendly packaging material
provide an attractive opportunity to promote environmental sustainability. Sustainable packaging from the raw material, to process and its biodegradability is an
environmentally sound advice. It not only is cost effective for both the consumers
and manufacturers but it also helps to ensure a cleaner environment for the future
generations.
An LCA of the packaging industry shows that climate change, cumulative energy
demand, minerals and fuels consumption, Photochemical oxidation, Eutrophication,
Land use water use and soild waste are the environmental impacts caused. According
to Silvenius et al. (2011), 2–5% of the total environmental impact could be attributed
to the packaging industry to be responsible for greenhouse emission, eutrophication, and acidification impacted categories Though several issues discourage the
implementation of sustainable packaging usage, recent awareness and consumer attitude has increased the demand for such biodegradable packages. Biopolymers were
developed in an environmental perspective and they exhibit excellent competitive
properties (temperature resistance, thermal conductance, oxygen transmission rate
tensile strength and water vapor transmission rate) when compared to other materials. Biodegradable packaging has reduced the shelf life of plastics and enhanced
plastic recycling programs. Additionally, the bulk material abundance, renewability,
and recyclability provide better options to the biopolymer industry. Green Packaging
and Sustainable packaging has increased in popularity in the last few years. This shift
in wave of popularity is due the increased awareness on environmental sustainability,
move towards combating climate change and protection of vulnerable ecosystems.
Though many packing firms now operate in support of sustainable packaging in the
trend of circular economy, more innovations and sustainable packing solutions are
expected to boom in the coming decades.
References
Abou-Yousef H, El-Sakhawy M, Kamel S (2005) Multi-stage bagasse pulping by using alkali/Caro’s
acid treatment. Ind Crops Prod 21(3):337–341
Andrady AL, Neal MA (2009) Applications and societal benefits of plastics. Philos Trans R Soc B:
Biol Sci 364(1526):1977–1984
Ashok A, Rejeesh CR, Renjith R (2016a) Biodegradable Polymers for Sustainable Packaging
Applications: A Review. Int J Bionics Biomater 2(2):1–11
Ashok A, Mathew M, Rejeesh CR (2016b) Innovative value chain development of modified starch
for a sustainable environment: a review. Int J Polym Sci Eng. 2(1):20–32
ASTM (2000) Standard test methods for water vapor transmission of materials. ASTM Annual
Book of ASTM Standards 2000:907–914
ASTM C 1048 (2004) Standard specification for heat-treated flat glass-kind HS. Kind FT Coated
and Uncoated Glass