Depicting the Challenges and Trade-Offs of Introducing Bio-based Plastics in the Food Packaging Value Chain

Eleni Iacovidou, Lecturer in Environmental Management, published a study, co-authored by esteemed colleagues, to explore the potential challenges and trade-offs of using bio-based plastics in food packaging. As the use of these polymers is seen as a possible solution to plastic pollution, their introduction may cause issues in the production, consumption, and management system that have yet to be examined. The study aims to identify these issues and suggests that a thorough assessment of the type of feedstock, infrastructure availability, and sustainability domains must be conducted to ensure that this substitution will not lead to negative impacts.