Simplifying the packaging life cycle assessment process

The Packaging Impact Quick Evaluation Tool (PIQET) is an independently developed business tool that is used for rapid environmental impact assessments of packaging. It is now enabling companies to integrate environmental considerations into their packaging decisions.

Retailers, brand owners and packaging suppliers are using PIQET to assist in decisions that reduce the environmental impact of packaging and provide directions for packaging innovation and process improvement.

What is PIQET?

PIQET is a web based decision-making tool that is used to conduct rapid environmental impact assessments of packaging. It is based on internationally accepted life cycle assessment (LCA) principles and assesses the environmental impact of packaging from cradle to grave.

Packaging life cycle assessments model the environmental impact of packaging materials and components at all stages of their life cycle — from sourcing raw materials to end of life. LCAs are normally performed by trained staff in accordance with internationally accepted methodologies using specialised software packages such as SimaPro and Gabi. They are expensive and can take significant time to complete. The software packages use standard analysis tools (process trees, graphs and inventory tables) and a range of environmental inventory databases.

PIQET is the first tool to enable robust LCA-based decisions to be made on a day-to-day basis in commercial environments. It was developed by creating a user interface for defining packaging systems, coupling this with packaging specific life cycle models and inventory databases developed in SimaPro, and designing reports to aid easier communication of complex results.

PIQET uses different types of data — embedded data, default data and user data. Embedded data and default data is sourced from a range of life cycle assessment inventory databases and is identical to the databases used in SimaPro. Default data may be replaced by the user for some stages of the life cycle where more specific data is available, such as in specific converting processes or end-of-life scenarios. User data must also be supplied by the user for the some stages of the life cycle, such as the filling of the packaging system.

PIQET reports provide the user with a visual indication (through graphical and tabular reports) of which components and which part of the life cycle are driving environmental impact for up to eight environmental indicators, including climate change, water and land use. The use of PIQET leads to a greater awareness and shared understanding of the environmental impacts of material selection, packaging system design and process improvement ideas across business units and supply chains.

PIQET also reports packaging specific indicators, including those required for reporting of the Australian National Packaging Covenant (NPC) KPIs by NPC signatories, and provides a process to demonstrate compliance with environmental codes of practice.

PIQET was developed by RMIT’s Centre for Design, Birubi Innovation and Victoria University’s Polymer Research Unit, in conjunction with Cadbury Schweppes, Lion Nathan, Nestlé Australia, MasterFoods Australia and Simplot Australia. Funding support was also provided for its development by Sustainability Victoria and the federal Department of the Environment and Water Resources and the Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts.

Role of PIQET

Companies using PIQET are integrating environmental decision making into their day-to-day business processes to easily identify, review and prioritise actions to reduce the environmental impact of packaging. Different types of companies, such as retailers, brand owners and packaging suppliers, are using PIQET for different purposes reflecting their role in the packaging supply chain. PIQET users are also diverse including packaging technologies, environmental managers and researchers, technology developers and technical sales managers.

PIQET is a comparative tool designed to provide users with quantified feedback with respect to the environmental performance of packaging systems relative to other packaging systems. It can be used to compare different packaging formats (eg, can versus bottle) or materials (eg, plastic versus glass or virgin material versus recycled material). Once the user has defined a packaging system they can easily replicate it to allow many scenarios and sensitivity analysis to be evaluated. Although possible, interpretation of PIQET results in an absolute sense should only be conducted after seeking technical advice from the Sustainable Packaging Alliance. PIQET is not a replacement for conducting full LCA studies; however, it complements traditional LCAs and can reduce the time and cost in commissioning new LCAs by identifying which packaging materials, processes or life cycle scenarios require more detailed analysis.

During its development PIQET was validated on a range of food and beverage case studies for Cadbury Schweppes, Lion Nathan, Nestlé Australia, MasterFoods Australia and Simplot Australia. Since its first release further independent validation against other life cycle assessment studies by some of its users has been confirmed.

Packaging industry adoption

Packaging company Amcor has recently adopted PIQET to strengthen its internal capabilities, by allowing a broader deployment throughout the company and enabling quicker packaging life cycle assessments.

“PIQET provides us with a rapid, scientifically based tool for assessing the impact of packaging designs and process improvements. PIQET allows us to take a value chain approach to sustainable design, a capability which was previously difficult and required significant resource investment in life cycle assessment studies,” said Dr Juanita Day, Group Manager Sustainability Services at Amcor.

“It is easily used by all business units including sales and marketing, product designers, and technical product development professionals. The environmental impact of a packaging system over its full life cycle is assessed quickly. Reports include graphics that aid communication and understanding of environmental impact across a number of categories including climate change, solid waste, water and energy. Importantly, PIQET allows us to explore variations in packaging design and supply chains to minimise the effect it has on the key criteria.

“PIQET allows environmental information to be presented to our customers alongside functional, financial and marketing factors — something that could not be done easily before,” she said.

*Dr Leanne Fitzpatrick is executive director of Sustainable Packaging Alliance (SPA).