Integrated decision-making approach for the simultaneous design of food packaging and waste management technologies to achieve a Circular Economy

Food packaging plays a fundamental role in food supply chains; however, the surge in plastic waste, coupled with limited recycling efforts and improper disposal, emphasizes the need for sustainable food packaging solutions. Circular Economy can help mitigate environmental impacts associated with packaging by promoting recycling and the utilization of renewable resources. However, literature lacks integrated approaches to analyze both food packaging and waste management strategies alongside their economic, environmental, and circularity impacts. This study proposes a systems engineering framework, that employs a multi-objective mixed-integer linear optimization model to identify optimal combinations of packaging and waste management technologies based on economic and environmental criteria. Using a superstructure approach, and combining techno-economic analysis (TEA), life cycle assessment (LCA), and circularity assessment, the proposed framework provides insights for guiding food packaging selection while considering waste management options. A case study focusing on coffee packaging illustrates the framework’s applicability. Results show that the most economically profitable pathway involves the use of multilayer bags paired with an advanced recycling technology that produces high-quality plastic resins. Reusable glass containers emerge as the least greenhouse gas (GHG) emitting option when considering short-distances between glass collection and washing facilities. Moreover, the study demonstrates that the pathways with the lowest GHG emissions do not necessarily exhibit the highest circularity score, with the model identifying trade-off solutions between GHG emissions and circularity when transportation distances are longer. Trade-offs between costs, GHG emissions, and circularity are explored and visualized in Pareto fronts, aiding informed decision-making.