Single-use Supermarket Food Packaging and its Alternatives: Recommendations from Life Cycle Assessments

UN Environment Programme (2022)

The report analyses the environmental impact of single-use plastic food packaging compared to alternative packaging solutions. The report highlights the widespread use of plastic in supermarkets, noting that plastic dominates all packaging materials, especially in North America. Single-use plastics contribute significantly to plastic pollution, with food packaging playing a major role. The report draws from 33 Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) studies, focusing on three key food categories: refrigerated products, fresh produce, and pantry goods. It identifies four main themes: the relationship between packaging and food waste, the potential of bio-based and biodegradable plastics, the viability of reusable packaging systems, and the limited consideration of plastic litter’s effects on ecosystems and human health. These findings provide recommendations for policymakers to consider alternatives to single-use plastic packaging in supermarkets.

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