1. Using Life Cycle
Assessment to quantify
the environmental
sustainability of
packaging solutions
Pack to the Future 15.2.2022
Ilkka Leinonen
Natural Resources Institute
Finland (Luke)

2. 1990 2050
2030
2020 2025
EU Packaging Directive
targets:
EU climate targets:
Climate neutrality
by 2050
65% of packaging waste to
be recycled by 2025
50% of plastic and 75% of paper and cardboard
Conclusion:
Recycling targets alone not sufficient to meet the climate targets;
solutions related to e.g., packaging materials needed as well.
70% of packaging waste to be
recycled by 2030
55% of plastic and 85% of paper and
cardboard
The sustainability challenge
reducing GHG
emissions at least
55% below 1990
levels by 2030

3. Using LCA to assess climatic sustainability of the packaging
cycle

4. Example of LCA: Global warming potential of salad
wrappers
-5
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
F-PE incineration
only
F-PE 27,5 %
recycling rate
F-PE 50% recycling
rate
B-PE incineration
only
B-PE 27.5 %
recycling rate
B-PE 50% recycling
rate
GWP,
g
CO2e/wrapper
At gate Incineration Recycling Energy credit (Biogenic emission)
Source: Leinonen et al. (2022) Muovia korvaavat materiaalit ja ratkaisut:

5. Further development of LCA still needed
• Consistent approach covering all sectors
– Agriculture, forestry, land use, energy etc.
• Soil and biomass carbon stocks
• Biogenic carbon stored in products
• Indirect land use changes
• Handling side streams
• New impact categories
– Biodiversity
– Littering