Packaging strategies for the Circular Economy

As volumes of packaging waste are increasing worldwide, the urge to reduce environmental and health impacts caused by this waste stream is leading to rising concern over how it is managed and disposed of. At the same time, resource scarcity and linear consumption patterns have regained attention among business leaders, policy makers and people who have become increasingly aware of the importance of reversing this trend using a sustainable model of growth, also known as ‘sustainable development’. The circular economy is a new paradigm within sustainability that focusses on resource efficiency, waste minimisation and low-carbon economy supporting the shift towards sustainable growth and enabling new business opportunities. Using a set of complementary analytical methods, this research evaluates the performance of the Italian system, making use of intervention theory combined with an analysis of the barriers to the circular economy within three areas: regulatory framework, recycling awareness, eco-innovation and prevention. It also describes the functions of CONAI and the results achieved with respect to national and European objectives. In addition, this paper approaches some of the barriers to the circular economy in Italian packaging and packaging waste systems through a case study on a fictitious company selling aluminium coffee capsules whose features are in the context of real world companies dealing with packaging. The findings of this thesis highlight the areas in which Italian packaging and packaging waste management is facing barriers to the circular economy. The findings also highlight how circular economy in Italy is either failing or succeeding, and the potential initiatives and strategies which could overcome barriers to its successful implementation. Moreover, the findings of the case study reveal ways in which to implement circular economy strategies on a specific packaging value chain in Italy while complying with national regulations.