LIFE CYCLE ANALYSIS: Lidding Films and Tray vs Conventional Clamshell

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As a material converter and member of OSC member, Associated Labels and Packaging wanted to understand the relative environmental impacts of several packaging alternatives that utilize their innovative lidding film solutions when compared to a conventional clamshell. Each packaging alternative is unique: leveraging conventional film design, resealable film design, PCR content, or BPI-certified industrially compostable materials in an attempt to reduce overall environmental impact of the whole.

Recyclable lidding film in this circumstance falls under conventional. This is because lidding film is multi-layered and even if one type of resin is used for both layers, the act of lamination defines them as number 7 or ‘other plastics.’ In addition, the act of collecting, sorting and converting this material for recycling (or composting) is a system challenge. Therefore, each lidding film was assumed to have the same end-of-life fate of 20% going to incineration and 80% going to landfill.

For this case study, AssociatedLP worked with Trayak who utilized their streamlined LCA tool. The analysis represents a cradle-to-grave LCA that examines the environmental impact of the packaging across four phases of its life cycle (raw material extraction, manufacturing, transportation, and disposal). Each case study features an “apples to apples”, or functionally equivalent packaging system, comparison.

This process allows practitioners to identify hotspots and key areas for environmental footprint reductions. In order to determine the relative environmental impacts, Trayak analyzed 7 key environmental indicators including fossil fuel use, water use, GHG emissions with carbon uptake, freshwater eutrophication, freshwater ecotoxicity, mineral resource use, and human impact. Together, these indicators paint a holistic picture of the overarching impact of each package and provide a robust basis for comparison. Trayak’s findings detail the total impact for each of the selected indicators studied in the Life Cycle Assessment.

This COMPASS tool uses life cycle inventory (LCI) data that represents an industry average for materials, manufacturing processes, and end-of-life impacts. The Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) in this report can be used for directional guidance in internal decision making and understanding trade-offs. COMPASS follows the guidelines of ISO 14040 in determining and documenting the scope, assumptions, consistent boundary conditions, and data sources.

Associated Labels and Packaging’s role is to help contribute knowledge and innovation within our packaging industry. We support our customers at all stages on their journey towards environmental sustainability. We hope this LCA helps our customers make informed decisions about the impacts of their packaging structure or design.