Life cycle and cost-benefit analysis of industrial packaging material. A full evaluation of the environmental costs

Individuals are suffering respiratory problems, cancer and allergies which are associated with pollution from manufacturing processes. Using 50% more resources than the earth can regenerate in one year leads to tremendous loss of intact eco-systems, biodiversity and liveable land. Industrial packaging highly contributes to this trend with disposable packaging material and globally connected supply chain networks. A looped packaging system can enable resource efficiency, decrease costs and waste and overcome human and environmental harm. Additionally, the supply chain can be made more efficient enabling Industry 4.0 with a smart container system. In this regard not only a circular, but also a mathematical model has been developed to evaluate industrial packaging materials in accordance with their environmental costs. The examined materials are first analysed in their life cycle using a cradle-to-gate approach. In a further evaluation, the developed circular model is transformed in a mathematical model comparing the materials with their associated total costs and benefits, including waste management policies, pollution and environmental costs.

David Meinel (M.Sc.) was born in Lich (Germany) in 1989. His passion for nature and environmental protection was shown early during journeys to Asia, Africa and America. His world trip expanded his knowledge about our planet and its global eco system. During his journeys he was directly confronted with profound anthropogenic changes in the environment and the climate change. His interests and experiences led him to his studies of international environmental and energy management and supply chain management at the University of Vienna. Previously, he was studying business administration at the University of Cologne and Fudan University in Shanghai. To share his knowledge, actively engage others to protect the environment and to raise awareness, he developed and held the conference on environment and sustainable development at the United Nations in Vienna, twice. Before this, the author was working as a consultant in China and Malaysia, where he focused on industrial packaging material. Nowadays, he is working as a consultant for the automotive industry and is writing his PhD about life cycle analysis of industrial packaging material.