FRAMEWORK FOR SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING DESIGN

Abstract

Addressing the sustainability challenges of packaging waste has become an alarming global need. A neglected yet important environment issue is the function of packaging in reducing the amount of content losses. There is a large gap between real life design implementation and sustainability intentions despite industry commitments to sustainable packaging solutions. The focus here lies on design attributes of packaging that can be utilized to conserve resources effectively and minimize the environmental impact. This Thesis fills this gap by determining the priority list of the key design attributes for Sustainable Packaging Design (SPD) and creating an inclusive framework to enable their practical implementation. Using a mixed- methods research design incorporating systematic literature review, expert interviews (n=30), with Kano method analysis, the study initially established the key design attributes driving effective sustainable packaging innovation. The findings indicated the key design attributes blocks of effective SPD. Drawing on these findings, this dissertation offers the Sustainable Packaging Initiate - Innovate Design (SPIID) framework—a new methodological tool for bringing theoretical sustainability principles to tangible design specifications. The SPIID framework is a three phased: Initiate – Integrate - Innovate and 5- steps, interconnected process. This three-phase framework (Initiate, Integrate, Innovate) is introduced, enabling the strategic integration of design attributes that elevate sustainable packaging performance. Each phase employs specific tools and methodologies for resolving the critical design attributes found and dealing with the inherent trade-offs between sustainability goals and functional needs. To test the SPIID framework, an assessment via Expert group sessional insights (n=30) validated the framework's utility, usability, and applicability to varied packaging contexts. Practitioners from the industry, academics and entrepreneurs most appreciated the framework's methodical process of dealing with sustainability trade-offs and its ability to encourage cross-functional collaboration between design, engineering, and sustainability groups in their decision-making process. This study contributes to three important areas in the field. First, it provides a holistic basis for understanding critical design attributes affecting successful sustainable packaging innovation using design thinking. Second, it presents a tested framework that closes the gap between theoretical principles of sustainability and practical using design thinking. Third, it presents evidence-based findings on the effectiveness of integrated design strategies in tackling intricate sustainability issues in packaging. The SPIID methodology provides designers, and sustainability experts with a structured approach for creating packaging solutions that reconcile environmental, economic, and functional factors. Areas of future research are the extension of the framework to new packaging technologies, creation of digital tools to facilitate its use, and its extension to cover more comprehensive circular economy concepts in product-packaging systems.