Individuals are suffering respiratory problems, cancer and allergies
which are associated with pollution from manufacturing processes. Using
50% more resources than the earth can regenerate in one year leads to
tremendous loss of intact eco-systems, biodiversity and liveable land.
Industrial packaging highly contributes to this trend with disposable
packaging material and globally connected supply chain networks. A
looped packaging system can enable resource efficiency, decrease costs
and waste and overcome human and environmental harm. Additionally, the
supply chain can be made more efficient enabling Industry 4.0 with a
smart container system. In this regard not only a circular, but also a
mathematical model has been developed to evaluate industrial packaging
materials in accordance with their environmental costs. The examined
materials are first analysed in their life cycle using a cradle-to-gate
approach. In a further evaluation, the developed circular model is
transformed in a mathematical model comparing the materials with their
associated total costs and benefits, including waste management
policies, pollution and environmental costs.