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Innovative Solutions for Reusing Packaging Waste Materials in Humanitarian Logistics

Author

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  • Alberto Regattieri

    (Department of Industrial Engineering, Alma Mater Studiorum—University of Bologna, 40136 Bologna, Italy)

  • Mauro Gamberi

    (Department of Industrial Engineering, Alma Mater Studiorum—University of Bologna, 40136 Bologna, Italy)

  • Marco Bortolini

    (Department of Industrial Engineering, Alma Mater Studiorum—University of Bologna, 40136 Bologna, Italy)

  • Francesco Piana

    (Department of Industrial Engineering, Alma Mater Studiorum—University of Bologna, 40136 Bologna, Italy)

Abstract

The impact of packaging waste on the environment is becoming unsustainable, which has necessitated a turning point in material recycling and reuse. Such a concept is highly relevant in the humanitarian supply chain due to the huge mass of packaging items that are provided to countries hit by disasters, with these bad conditions making it almost impossible to adopt a rational management of waste streams. The goal of this study is to provide an approach and feasible solutions to reduce the environmental influence of waste produced by packaging and at the same time, to help people affected by disasters. Starting from the analysis of the available materials, several solutions of packaging reuse and recycling are developed and several prototypes are realized and tested in collaboration with the United Nations Humanitarian Response Depots-Lab (UNHRD-Lab), which starts from the basic packaging materials used to supply first-aid to people, including cardboard, pallets, woods, and plastics. This paper addresses the above ideas and presents the design process, results and some quality tests. The experimental evidence encourages future on-field validation in refugee camps.

Suggested Citation

  • Alberto Regattieri & Mauro Gamberi & Marco Bortolini & Francesco Piana, 2018. "Innovative Solutions for Reusing Packaging Waste Materials in Humanitarian Logistics," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(5), pages 1-10, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:10:y:2018:i:5:p:1587-:d:146561
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Riccardo Accorsi & Lorenzo Versari & Riccardo Manzini, 2015. "Glass vs. Plastic: Life Cycle Assessment of Extra-Virgin Olive Oil Bottles across Global Supply Chains," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 7(3), pages 1-23, March.
    2. Alberto Regattieri & Giulia Santarelli, 2013. "The Important Role of Packaging in Operations Management," Chapters, in: Massimiliano M. Schiraldi (ed.), Operations Management, IntechOpen.
    3. Regattieri, Alberto & Piana, Francesco & Bortolini, Marco & Gamberi, Mauro & Ferrari, Emilio, 2016. "Innovative portable solar cooker using the packaging waste of humanitarian supplies," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 57(C), pages 319-326.
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