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1. Short communication on the role of cellulosic fiber-based packaging in reduction of climate change impacts.

Author

Schenker U, Chardot J, Missoum K, Vishtal A, and Bras J

Subjects
Food Technology, Plastics, Recycling, Cellulose chemistry, Climate Change, Environment, Food Packaging methods, Food Packaging trends
Abstract

This short communication describes the climate change impacts of using cellulose, and more precisely cellulosic fiber-based materials, in food packaging, representing current and emerging industrial state of the art technology, without specific reference to current scientific advances. First, the different types of cellulosic fiber-based packaging materials, which can be used to replace fossil-based packaging materials, are presented for flexible and rigid applications. The focus is on technological solutions with packaging properties that enable the protection of commonly sold food products. The manufacturing processes associated with these cellulosic fiber-based materials is described and the environmental impact assessment of 4 selected case studies presented: stand-up pouches, flexible flow wraps, frozen or chilled food trays, and molded pulp lids. A simplified eco-design Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) was then performed to compare each solution with its fossil-based counterpart. Differences and similarities between the various cellulosic solutions have been identified. Furthermore, the assessment confirms that cellulosic fiber-based materials have reduced environmental impacts as compared to fossil-based counterparts, if a similar packaging weight is obtained. Indeed, all impacts of plastics are between 3 and 5 kg CO 2 eq/kg, while all impacts of cellulosic fiber-based materials are below 1.5 kg CO 2 eq/kg., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Published
2021
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2. Decomposition and carbon storage of selected paper products in laboratory-scale landfills

Author

Xiaoming Wang, Fabiano Ximenes, Morton A. Barlaz, and Florentino B. De la Cruz

Subjects
Paper, Carbon Sequestration, Environmental Engineering, Climate Change, chemistry.chemical_element, Lignin, Methane, chemistry.chemical_compound, Environmental Chemistry, Hemicellulose, Cellulose, Waste Management and Disposal, Waste management, Biodegradation, Pulp and paper industry, Pollution, Decomposition, Carbon, Refuse Disposal, Waste Disposal Facilities, Biodegradation, Environmental, chemistry, Models, Chemical, visual_art, Newsprint, visual_art.visual_art_medium, Laboratories
Abstract

The objective of this study was to measure the anaerobic biodegradation of different types of paper products in laboratory-scale landfill reactors. The study included (a) measurement of the loss of cellulose, hemicellulose, organic carbon, and (b) measurement of the methane yields for each paper product. The test materials included two samples each of newsprint (NP), copy paper (CP), and magazine paper (MG), and one sample of diaper (DP). The methane yields, carbon storage factors and the extent of cellulose and hemicellulose decomposition all consistently show that papers made from mechanical pulps (e.g., NPs) are less degradable than those made from chemical pulps where essentially all lignin was chemically removed (e.g., CPs). The diaper, which is not only made from chemical pulp but also contains some gel and plastic, exhibited limited biodegradability. The extent of biogenic carbon conversion varied from 21 to 96% among papers, which contrasts with the uniform assumption of 50% by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) for all degradable materials discarded in landfills. Biochemical methane potential tests also showed that the solids to liquid ratio used in the test can influence the results.

Published
2015