Designing for Circularity: Exploring Recyclability in Packaging Choices

This research examines how producers make decisions regarding recyclable packaging, considering their internal capabilities, external influences, and sustainability impacts. The aim is to create a decision-making framework that assists producers in adopting recyclable packaging while meeting regulatory requirements and consumer expectations. Packaging, particularly plastic waste, presents significant environmental challenges. Producers face complex decisions in packaging design, balancing recyclability against cost, functionality, regulatory compliance, and consumer expectations. Circular Materials, a national not-for-profit organization, is committed to promoting the circular economy in Canada by establishing efficient recycling programs. This research utilizes a mixed-methods approach, collecting data through surveys and semi-structured interviews with packaging designers, operations managers, and supply chain executives. This will provide both quantitative and qualitative data on decision-making criteria, perceived obstacles, and attitudes toward regulations and consumer demand. The study aims to develop, for Circular Materials, a framework that identifies key factors influencing recyclability decisions, offers recommendations for overcoming barriers to adopting recyclable packaging, and provides insights on facilitating transitions to circular packaging.

Faculty Supervisor:

Kadia Georges Aka

Student:

Partner:

Circular Materials

Discipline:

Sociology

Sector:

Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services

University:

Université de Moncton

Program: