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Comparative Life Cycle Assessment of Two Different Packaging Systems for Extra-Virgin Olive Oil: Glass Bottle vs. 100% Recycled Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Bottle

Author

Listed:
  • Carmen Ferrara

    (Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 132, Fisciano, 84084 Salerno, Italy)

  • Giovanni De Feo

    (Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 132, Fisciano, 84084 Salerno, Italy)

Abstract

Using the Life Cycle Assessment methodology, this study assesses the environmental sustainability of two packaging alternatives for extra virgin olive oil: the glass bottle and the PET bottle produced with 100% of recycled PET granulate. Six scenarios were compared varying on the type of packaging system and the distribution phase (in terms of distribution country and logistics). The life cycle impacts of the scenarios were estimated with the ReCiPe 2018 H evaluation method, using both the midpoint and endpoint approaches. The findings highlighted the higher environmental sustainability of the recycled PET system compared to the glass system for all the impact categories considered, but especially in terms of the global warming potential, particulate formation, terrestrial acidification, and fossil fuel scarcity for which life cycle impacts of the R-PET were lower than 40% compared to those of the glass system. In terms of global warming, the glass system was responsible for 790–1137 kg CO 2 eq. (in function of the destination country considered); while the R-PET system, in the same conditions, showed impacts of 459–634 kg CO 2 eq. This is mainly due to the high weight of the glass bottle that affected the impacts of both the production and distribution phases. The mode of transport affected the impacts of the distribution phases highlighting how ship transport was more sustainable than truck transport, even when considering greater distribution distances. The LCA results can help consumers make more informed choices with a view to sustainability, as well as disprove the prejudices that consumers often have towards glass bottle packaging alternatives.

Suggested Citation

  • Carmen Ferrara & Giovanni De Feo, 2023. "Comparative Life Cycle Assessment of Two Different Packaging Systems for Extra-Virgin Olive Oil: Glass Bottle vs. 100% Recycled Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Bottle," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-15, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:4:p:3665-:d:1070993
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Roberta Salomone & Giuseppe Ioppolo & Giuseppe Saija, 2013. "A Model of Product-Oriented Environmental Management System for Agri-Food SMEs," Springer Books, in: Roberta Salomone & Maria Teresa Clasadonte & Maria Proto & Andrea Raggi (ed.), Product-Oriented Environmental Management Systems (POEMS), edition 127, chapter 0, pages 285-302, Springer.
    2. 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.
    3. Rajaeifar, Mohammad Ali & Akram, Asadolah & Ghobadian, Barat & Rafiee, Shahin & Heidari, Mohammad Davoud, 2014. "Energy-economic life cycle assessment (LCA) and greenhouse gas emissions analysis of olive oil production in Iran," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 66(C), pages 139-149.
    4. Mattia Rapa & Salvatore Ciano, 2022. "A Review on Life Cycle Assessment of the Olive Oil Production," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(2), pages 1-17, January.
    5. Roberta Salomone & Giuseppe Ioppolo & Giuseppe Saija, 2013. "Product-Oriented Environmental Management Systems: Methodologies and Experiences," Springer Books, in: Roberta Salomone & Maria Teresa Clasadonte & Maria Proto & Andrea Raggi (ed.), Product-Oriented Environmental Management Systems (POEMS), edition 127, chapter 0, pages 257-284, Springer.
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