A Systematic Literature Review on Packaging Sustainability: Contents, Opportunities, and Guidelines

Ricardo Marques Sastre, Istefani Carísio de Paula and Marcia Elisa Soares Echeveste
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Ricardo Marques Sastre: Industrial Engineering and Transport Department, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90035-003, Brazil
Istefani Carísio de Paula: Industrial Engineering and Transport Department, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90035-003, Brazil
Marcia Elisa Soares Echeveste: Industrial Engineering and Transport Department, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90035-003, Brazil

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 11, 1-31

Abstract: The relationship between packaging and sustainability has caused the evolution of literature towards the minimization of environmental damage. The task of packaging professionals is becoming more demanding, as they need to collect information from distinct topics to stay up to date. The aim of this research is to gather information on packaging in the sustainability context to provide a systemic view of the contents, to identify opportunities, and define guidelines for packaging design. A systematic literature review of 472 papers was performed. The first step was a bibliographic search using Pack *, Sustainab *, and eco * as keywords. Secondly, the content analysis revealed the emergence of nine categories grouped in four clusters. These categories and nineteen subthemes were considered research opportunities. Going beyond the coding units of the content analysis, we have used context units to propose (i) the gathering of technical procedures to support the design phases of sustainable packaging; and (ii) the proposition of a framework based on the life cycle stages and design phases. At last, we have provided insights and guidelines that can be useful for packaging professionals.

Keywords: packaging; sustainability; circular economy; systematic literature review; design guidelines (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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