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Rani A, Negi S, Fan C, Lam SS, Kim H, Pan SY. Revitalizing plastic wastes employing bio-circular-green economy principles for carbon neutrality. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 472:134394. [PMID: 38703690 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.134394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2024] [Revised: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024]
Abstract
The use of plastics has become deeply ingrained in our society, and there are no indications that its prevalence will decrease in the foreseeable future. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the global plastic waste disposal landscape, examining it through regional perspectives, various management technologies (dumping or landfilling, incineration, and reuse and recycling), and across different sectors including agriculture and food, textile, tourism, and healthcare. Notably, this study compiles the findings on life-cycle carbon footprints associated with various plastic waste management practices as documented in the literature. Employing the bio-circular-green economy model, we advocate for the adoption of streamlined and sustainable approaches to plastic management. Unique management measures are also discussed including the utilization of bioplastics combined with smart and efficient collection processes that facilitate recycling, industrial composting, or anaerobic digestion. Moreover, the integration of advanced recycling methods for conventional plastics with renewable energy, the establishment of plastic tax and credits, and the establishment of extended producer responsibility are reviewed. The success of these initiatives relies on collaboration and support from peers, industries, and consumers, ultimately contributing to informed decision-making and fostering sustainable practices in plastic waste management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aishwarya Rani
- Department of Bioenvironmental Systems Engineering, College of Bioresources and Agriculture, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Suraj Negi
- Department of Bioenvironmental Systems Engineering, College of Bioresources and Agriculture, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Chihhao Fan
- Department of Bioenvironmental Systems Engineering, College of Bioresources and Agriculture, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Su Shiung Lam
- Higher Institution Centre of Excellence (HICoE), Institute of Tropical Aquaculture and Fisheries (AKUATROP), Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, Kuala Nerus 21030, Terengganu, Malaysia; Center for Global Health Research (CGHR), Saveetha Medical College, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Saveetha University, Chennai, India
| | - Hyunook Kim
- Water‑Energy Nexus Laboratory, Department of Environmental Engineering, University of Seoul, Seoul 02504, South Korea
| | - Shu-Yuan Pan
- Department of Bioenvironmental Systems Engineering, College of Bioresources and Agriculture, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan, ROC; Agricultural Net-Zero Carbon Technology and Management Innovation Research Center, College of Bioresources and Agriculture, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan, ROC.
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Dolci G, Puricelli S, Cecere G, Tua C, Fava F, Rigamonti L, Grosso M. How does plastic compare with alternative materials in the packaging sector? A systematic review of LCA studies. WASTE MANAGEMENT & RESEARCH : THE JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOLID WASTES AND PUBLIC CLEANSING ASSOCIATION, ISWA 2024:734242X241241606. [PMID: 38576323 DOI: 10.1177/0734242x241241606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
In the recent years, packaging made of conventional plastics has been increasingly replaced by materials believed to be more sustainable. However, perceived sustainability must align with scientific assessments, such as life cycle assessments (LCAs). This review analysed 53 peer-reviewed studies published in the time range 2019-2023, aiming at understanding the state of the art in LCA about the environmental impacts of packaging by focusing on the comparison between plastics and alternative materials. The literature showed that consumer perceptions often differ from LCA findings and revealed that, frequently, conventional plastics are not the least environmentally friendly choice. Bioplastics typically show benefits only in the climate change and the fossil resource depletion impact categories. The heavy weight of glass turns out to affect its environmental performances with respect to the light plastics, with reuse being an essential strategy to lower the burdens. The comparison between plastics and metals is more balanced, leaning more towards plastics for food packaging. Similarly, paper resulted often preferable than plastics. Finally, for the other materials (i.e. wood and textiles), the picture is variable. To be competitive with plastics, the alternative materials require improvements like the optimisation of their production processes, their reuse and enhanced end-of-life options. At the same time, recycled polymers could boost the eco-performance of virgin plastics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Dolci
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Politecnico di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Stefano Puricelli
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Politecnico di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Cecere
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Politecnico di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Camilla Tua
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Politecnico di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Floriana Fava
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Politecnico di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Lucia Rigamonti
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Politecnico di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Mario Grosso
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Politecnico di Milano, Milano, Italy
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Rasines L, Morera S, Miguel GS, Artés-Hernández F, Aguayo E. Environmental and economic sustainability of fresh-cut and pre-cooked vegetables. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 872:162169. [PMID: 36775153 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Revised: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Due to the growing awareness about the environmental and economic sustainability of food products, the present research aims to evaluate the sustainability of fresh-cut and pre-cooked vegetables, a niche market with growing demand. An analysis was carried out using a detailed material, energy, and economic inventory based on a commercial food processing plant located in northeast Spain. The environmental sustainability was determined using process-based environmental life cycle assessment (E-LCA), applying a cradle-to-market approach, and using the EF3.0 impact assessment methodology to quantify impacts on five midpoint categories (climate change, photochemical ozone formation, acidification, freshwater eutrophication, and fossil resource use) and an aggregated single score. Additionally, an environmental life cycle costing (E-LCC) was performed. The pre-cooked vegetable products showed a higher environmental footprint than the fresh-cut products in all the impact categories (between 14.0 % and 39.9 %) and involved higher life cycle costs (15.2 %), due to the increased demand for ingredients, packaging materials, and electricity consumption per FU (kg of product). The carbon footprint (CF) and the cost for the fresh-cut products were 0.72 kg CO2 eq/kg and 2.62 €/kg, respectively, compared to 0.86 kg CO2/kg and 3.02 €/kg for the pre-cooked vegetables. The environmental profiles of both products were rather similar, with a dominance of the Upstream stage (production of ingredients and packaging materials), followed by the Core stage (mainly due to electricity consumed during vegetable processing). The relevance of the Core stage is amplified in the economic analysis due to the incorporation of certain processes which were not included in the process-based E-LCA (e.g., labour, capital, insurance, maintenance costs, etc.). To integrate the economic and environmental analyses, an eco-efficiency index was calculated that describes the carbon emissions per unit of monetary cost, resulting in 0.27 kg CO2eq/€ for the fresh-cut and 0.28 kg CO2 eq/€ for the pre-cooked vegetables.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Rasines
- Postharvest and Refrigeration Group, Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena (UPCT), 30202 Cartagena, Spain; Food Quality and Health Group, Institute of Plant Biotechnology (UPCT), Campus Muralla del Mar, 30202 Cartagena, Spain
| | - Serni Morera
- Postharvest and Refrigeration Group, Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena (UPCT), 30202 Cartagena, Spain
| | - Guillermo San Miguel
- School of Industrial Engineering (ETSII), Grupo de Agroenergética, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM), 28006 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Francisco Artés-Hernández
- Postharvest and Refrigeration Group, Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena (UPCT), 30202 Cartagena, Spain; Food Quality and Health Group, Institute of Plant Biotechnology (UPCT), Campus Muralla del Mar, 30202 Cartagena, Spain
| | - Encarna Aguayo
- Postharvest and Refrigeration Group, Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena (UPCT), 30202 Cartagena, Spain; Food Quality and Health Group, Institute of Plant Biotechnology (UPCT), Campus Muralla del Mar, 30202 Cartagena, Spain.
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4
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Rasines L, Miguel GS, Molina-García Á, Artés-Hernández F, Hontoria E, Aguayo E. Optimizing the environmental sustainability of alternative post-harvest scenarios for fresh vegetables: A case study in Spain. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 860:160422. [PMID: 36427716 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.160422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2022] [Revised: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this research is to define different scenarios that optimize the environmental sustainability of the post-harvest stage of vegetable products (cauliflower and brassicas mix). These scenarios considered different packaging materials; energy generation technologies for the processing plant (standard electricity mix vs. renewable options); organic waste management (composting, anaerobic digestion, and animal feeding); and refrigerated transportation (local, national, and international, using diesel, natural gas, and hybrid trucks and railway). The analysis has been carried out based on a foreground inventory provided by a company that operating internationally, in accordance with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 14,040 methodological framework and following the latest Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) protocols. The analysis describes four midpoint categories, single score (SS) using EF3.0 life cycle impact assessment (LCIA) methodology and the Cumulative Energy Demand. The carbon footprint (CF) of the post-harvest stage for a base case scenario ranged between 0.24 and 0.29 kg CO2 eq/kg of vegetable, with a strong contribution associated to the production of packaging materials (57.8-65.2 %) and the transport stage (national range in conventional diesel vehicles) (31.5-38.0 %). Comparatively, lower emissions were associated with the energy consumed at the processing factory (up to 4.1 %) while the composting of organic waste management produced some impact savings (up to -3.5 %). Although certain differences were observed, the dominance of the transport stage and the packaging materials is sustained in all the other environmental impact and energy categories evaluated. The most effective measures to reduce the environmental footprint of the post-harvest stage involve: i) using reusable packaging materials; ii) reducing the transport range and using vehicles running on natural gas or hybrid technologies; iii) the incorporation of renewable energy to supply the factory; and iv) the utilization of the organic residues in higher value applications such as animal feeding. Implementing the measures proposed in this study would reduce the post-harvest CF of fresh vegetables by 90 %.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Rasines
- Postharvest and Refrigeration Group, Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena (UPCT), 30202 Cartagena, Spain; Food Quality and Health Group, Institute of Plant Biotechnology (UPCT), Campus Muralla del Mar, 30202, Cartagena, Spain
| | - Guillermo San Miguel
- School of Industrial Engineering (ETSII), Grupo de Agroenergética, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM), 28006, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ángel Molina-García
- Department of Automatics, Electrical Engineering and Electronic Technology, UPCT, Spain
| | - Francisco Artés-Hernández
- Postharvest and Refrigeration Group, Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena (UPCT), 30202 Cartagena, Spain; Food Quality and Health Group, Institute of Plant Biotechnology (UPCT), Campus Muralla del Mar, 30202, Cartagena, Spain
| | | | - Encarna Aguayo
- Postharvest and Refrigeration Group, Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena (UPCT), 30202 Cartagena, Spain; Food Quality and Health Group, Institute of Plant Biotechnology (UPCT), Campus Muralla del Mar, 30202, Cartagena, Spain.
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Frontiers on Sustainable Food Packaging. Foods 2023; 12:foods12020349. [PMID: 36673440 PMCID: PMC9857415 DOI: 10.3390/foods12020349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The implementation of sustainable food packaging solutions within future circular food supply chains is essential to protect customers and ensure food quality, safety, and optimal shelf-life [...].
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Possas A, Pérez-Rodríguez F. New insights into Cross-contamination of Fresh-Produce. Curr Opin Food Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cofs.2022.100954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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López-Gálvez F, Gómez PA, Artés F, Artés-Hernández F, Aguayo E. Interactions between Microbial Food Safety and Environmental Sustainability in the Fresh Produce Supply Chain. Foods 2021; 10:foods10071655. [PMID: 34359525 PMCID: PMC8307063 DOI: 10.3390/foods10071655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Revised: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Improving the environmental sustainability of the food supply chain will help to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This environmental sustainability is related to different SDGs, but mainly to SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 12 (Responsible Production and Consumption), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 15 (Life on Land). The strategies and measures used to improve this aspect of the food supply chain must remain in balance with other sustainability aspects (economic and social). In this framework, the interactions and possible conflicts between food supply chain safety and sustainability need to be assessed. Although priority must be given to safety aspects, food safety policies should be calibrated in order to avoid unnecessary deleterious effects on the environment. In the present review, a number of potential tensions and/or disagreements between the microbial safety and environmental sustainability of the fresh produce supply chain are identified and discussed. The addressed issues are spread throughout the food supply chain, from primary production to the end-of-life of the products, and also include the handling and processing industry, retailers, and consumers. Interactions of fresh produce microbial safety with topics such as food waste, supply chain structure, climate change, and use of resources have been covered. Finally, approaches and strategies that will prove useful to solve or mitigate the potential contradictions between fresh produce safety and sustainability are described and discussed. Upon analyzing the interplay between microbial safety and the environmental sustainability of the fresh produce supply chain, it becomes clear that decisions that are taken to ensure fresh produce safety must consider the possible effects on environmental, economic, and social sustainability aspects. To manage these interactions, a global approach considering the interconnections between human activities, animals, and the environment will be required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco López-Gálvez
- Postharvest and Refrigeration Group, Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería Agronómica (ETSIA), Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena (UPCT), Paseo Alfonso XIII, 48, 30203 Cartagena, Spain; (F.L.-G.); (F.A.); (F.A.-H.)
- Food Quality and Health Group, Institute of Plant Biotechnology (UPCT), Campus Muralla del Mar, 30202 Cartagena, Spain;
| | - Perla A. Gómez
- Food Quality and Health Group, Institute of Plant Biotechnology (UPCT), Campus Muralla del Mar, 30202 Cartagena, Spain;
| | - Francisco Artés
- Postharvest and Refrigeration Group, Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería Agronómica (ETSIA), Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena (UPCT), Paseo Alfonso XIII, 48, 30203 Cartagena, Spain; (F.L.-G.); (F.A.); (F.A.-H.)
- Food Quality and Health Group, Institute of Plant Biotechnology (UPCT), Campus Muralla del Mar, 30202 Cartagena, Spain;
| | - Francisco Artés-Hernández
- Postharvest and Refrigeration Group, Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería Agronómica (ETSIA), Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena (UPCT), Paseo Alfonso XIII, 48, 30203 Cartagena, Spain; (F.L.-G.); (F.A.); (F.A.-H.)
- Food Quality and Health Group, Institute of Plant Biotechnology (UPCT), Campus Muralla del Mar, 30202 Cartagena, Spain;
| | - Encarna Aguayo
- Postharvest and Refrigeration Group, Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería Agronómica (ETSIA), Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena (UPCT), Paseo Alfonso XIII, 48, 30203 Cartagena, Spain; (F.L.-G.); (F.A.); (F.A.-H.)
- Food Quality and Health Group, Institute of Plant Biotechnology (UPCT), Campus Muralla del Mar, 30202 Cartagena, Spain;
- Correspondence:
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