Search Results (2,351)

Sustainable packaging has become a major area of academic and practical interest, reflecting growing environmental awareness, regulatory pressure, and changing consumer expectations. This study aims to synthesize existing knowledge on consumers’ behavior toward sustainable packaging and their willingness to pay (WTP) for environmentally friendly solutions. Following PRISMA guidelines, a systematic literature review was conducted, encompassing 78 peer-reviewed publications from 2019 to 2025. Bibliometric mapping using VOSviewer (version 1.6.20) identified three main research streams: consumer attitudes and determinants of behavior, willingness to pay for sustainable packaging, and perception of packaging materials and systems. The reviewed studies, conducted across Europe, Asia, Australia, and North America, employed diverse methods, including surveys, discrete choice experiments, structural equation modeling, and mixed designs. Results indicate that consumer behavior is shaped by environmental awareness, self-identity, perceived usefulness, and trust in labeling, while packaging material and functionality remain decisive for acceptance. Most studies show that consumers are willing to pay a premium of about 10–20% for sustainable packaging, though price sensitivity and hygiene concerns limit actual adoption. The findings highlight the conditional nature of consumer acceptance and emphasize the need for transparent communication, credible certification, and functional design. This study provides guidance for policymakers and businesses seeking to promote sustainable packaging solutions. Full article

As food typically accounts for substantially higher resource use and potential environmental impacts than its packaging, packaging-related food wastage must be considered in environmental assessments of food packaging. However, this is not currently performed as standard in Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). This article proposes a conceptual framework as an approach to systematically integrating packaging functionality into LCA by incorporating packaging-related food wastage depending on shelf-life and due to technical emptiability. Based on literature data, a segmented non-linear regression is proposed to estimate shelf-life-dependent food wastage at retail level. Two exponential models provide a consistently decreasing relationship between shelf-life and food wastage, with S = 0.064 for products with ≤30 days shelf-life and S = 0.036 for >30 days shelf-life. These values indicate a satisfactory internal fit within both shelf-life segments. In addition, established experimental procedures for quantifying packaging emptiability are integrated to capture further packaging-related food wastage. The approach yields a pragmatic estimation of packaging-related food wastage that can be operationalized in packaging LCAs. Rather than predicting exact amounts of food wastage, the framework enables a more holistic, function-oriented assessment of food packaging by making environmental trade-offs between packaging design, shelf-life effects and emptiability transparent for screening-level LCA. Full article

The environmental threat posed by small, single-use sachets sourced from 48% annual waste from excessive packaging has been assessed by investigating the development of nano-incorporated bioplastic films from the high-yield plant, maguey (Agave cantala). Maguey cellulose was acetylated (using 10 and 15 mL of acetic anhydride for 16, 24, and 32 h), successfully yielding a high of 81.34% maguey cellulose acetate (MCA). MCA was confirmed to contain acetate groups (C=O, C-H, C-O) via FT-IR and exhibited a hydrophobicity of a 121.897° contact angle. Bioplastic films were fabricated using MCA solution combined with 15% (w/w) commercial cellulose acetate (CCA)/MCA and reinforced with nanoclay (NC) at 0.5%, 1%, and 3% (w/w) concentrations. Nanomaterial incorporation generally improved properties; however, mechanical strength declined with increasing NC concentration, recording tensile strengths of 2.01 MPa, 0.89 MPa, and 0.78 MPa for the 0.5%, 1%, and 3% NC films, respectively. Conversely, the 3% NC film showed the best barrier property, with a water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) of 31.14 g/m² h. Surface morphology confirmed NC integration (nanomaterial sizes 29.74 nm to 107.3 nm), and the 0.5% NC film displayed the smooth structure ideal for sustainable packaging. The slight increase in contact angle observed between the 0% NC (60.768°) and 0.5 NC (62.904°) films suggested limitations in NC dispersion. Overall, the findings demonstrate the potential of using regenerated maguey cellulose acetate to create nano-bioplastic films with tailored mechanical and barrier properties for sustainable packaging, though optimization of NC loading and dispersion is necessary to maximize strength. Full article

Electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding materials are essential for ensuring the reliable operation of electronic devices and safeguarding human health, yet conventional metal-polymer materials are non-biodegradable, energy-intensive, and difficult to recycle. This study prepared a biodegradable paper-based shielding material; renewable cellulose filter paper was employed as the sole substrate, and graphene was integrated to construct an electromagnetic shielding network. A low-cost paper-based electromagnetic shielding preparation method was developed, and the performance of the material was analyzed in electromagnetic shielding applications. Samples were fabricated through a simple impregnation-evaporation-lamination process. It has a thickness of 1 mm for single layers and a maximum conductivity of 21.3 S/m. The influence of sample thickness on electromagnetic shielding in the X-band (8.2–12.4 GHz) was investigated, when the graphene filter cake loading reached 20 wt%, the SE_T values for triple-layer electromagnetic shielding papers reach 36 dB at 8.2 GHz and 33 dB at 12.4 GHz. A phone box for indoor environments and a card holder with anti-radio-frequency identification (RFID) functionality were designed. Furthermore, achievable design solutions for an EMI shielding wallpaper in medical and artistic installations were proposed. Full article

The strategic selection of lens geometry—spherical versus plane—decisively shapes the opto-thermal performance boundary of deep ultraviolet light-emitting diodes (DUV-LEDs), thereby governing their efficacy in application-specific photochemical processes. This study demonstrates that spherical lenses, by virtue of their superior light-collecting geometry, significantly enhance optical extraction efficiency and thermal management performance compared to conventional plane lenses. These engineered performance characteristics translate directly into divergent functional outcomes: spherical lenses enable rapid, high-intensity processing, while plane lenses are better suited for controlled, sustained operation. The findings establish a fundamental principle for DUV-LED packaging design: lens geometry can be tailored to optimize efficiency for distinct photochemical tasks, providing a clear pathway from device engineering to application-driven performance. Full article

This study evaluates the bioadsorption efficiency of sugarcane bagasse (SCB) for removing pharmaceuticals and illicit drugs—such as acetaminophen, atenolol, caffeine, carbamazepine, diclofenac, orphenadrine, losartan, enalapril, citalopram, cocaine, and benzoylecgonine—from wastewater effluents. In Brazil, where 46% of the population lacks access to sewage systems, and over 5.3 billion pharmaceutical packages are consumed annually, untreated discharges contribute significantly to aquatic contamination. Results show that applying SCB biochar at a 1% (m/v) ratio removes up to 99.8% of these compounds at total concentrations of 140 ng mL⁻¹, reducing the ecological risk from high to low for caffeine and losartan. SCB offers several advantages as a bioadsorbent: it is abundant, non-toxic, inexpensive, easy to handle, and exhibits high adsorption capacity and rapid kinetics across a wide range of chemical polarities. These findings highlight SCB’s potential as a sustainable and efficient material for wastewater treatment applications. Full article

The increasing amount of multilayer packaging waste poses significant environmental challenges and calls for sustainable valorization solutions. This study aimed to investigate the acoustic properties of composite materials produced by hot-pressing multilayer waste without the addition of binders or other substances. The waste was carefully cleaned and shredded into square or strip-like geometries, and the composite material plates were compressed at different temperatures (120 °C, 125 °C, 130 °C, 135 °C, and 140 °C) under a constant pressure of 5 MPa. The sound absorption coefficients were evaluated for representative samples, with results analyzed as a function of constituent geometry and processing temperature. Experimental results indicate that the pressing temperature critically affects the internal structure of the material, while waste shape exhibits a frequency-dependent influence on the absorption coefficient. The resulting composite materials display low porosity, which limits internal sound absorption and promotes sound wave reflection, indicating that these materials are more suitable for sound insulation rather than acoustic absorption. These results highlight the potential of multilayer packaging waste-based composites as a sustainable solution for noise control applications and highlight the importance of processing parameters in tailoring their acoustic performance. Full article

Sustainable diet transitions are required to protect human and planetary health, and consumers are important food systems actors who can foster positive changes. However, little is known about how consumers perceive the concept of sustainable diets. This study explored perceptions of sustainable diets across five high- and middle-income countries: Japan, Indonesia, Italy, Canada, and Mexico. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 184 young adults (30–45 per country), and transcripts were analyzed using values coding to understand the values, attitudes, and beliefs that shape behaviours related to sustainable diets. Results revealed that defining “sustainable eating” was challenging for participants across all countries. While participants’ values regarding sustainable diets were often context-specific with marked differences across countries, common themes across countries included concern about food waste and packaging and the belief that sustainability should be the responsibility of all actors across the food system, not just the individual. These findings indicate that food policy should address both individual and systemic dimensions of food sustainability, specifically prioritizing strategies for waste and packaging infrastructure. Furthermore, public health strategies must be values-oriented and culturally tailored to ensure they resonate with local consumer priorities. Full article

Soybean, Glycine max (L.) Merrill, is usually grown on a large scale, with pest control based on chemical insecticides. However, the overuse of chemicals has led to several adverse effects requiring more sustainable approaches to pest control. Results from Integrated Pest Management (IPM) employed on Brazilian soybean farms indicate that adopters of the technology have reduced insecticide use by approximately 50% relative to non-adopters, with yields comparable to or slightly higher than those of non-adopters. This reduction can be explained not only by the widespread use of Bt soybean cultivars across the country but also by the adoption of economic thresholds (ETs) in a whole Soybean-IPM package, which has reduced insecticide use. However, low refuge compliance has led to the first cases of pest resistance to Cry1Ac, thereby leading to the return of overreliance on chemical control and posing additional challenges for IPM practitioners. The recent global agenda for decarbonized agriculture might help to support the adoption of IPM since less chemical insecticides sprayed over the crops reduces CO₂-equivalent emissions from its application. In addition, consumers’ demand for less pesticide use in food production has favored the increased use of bio-inputs in agriculture, helping mitigate overdependence of agriculture on chemical inputs to preserve yields. Despite the challenges of adopting IPM discussed in this review, the best way to protect soybean yield and preserve the environment remains as IPM, integrating plant resistance (including Bt cultivars), ETs, scouting procedures, selective insecticides, biological control, and other sustainable tools, which help sustain environmental quality in an ecological and economical manner. Soon, those tools will include RNAi, CRISPR-based control strategies, among other sustainable alternatives intensively researched around the world. Full article

Background: Green logistics practices are crucial for achieving the EU’s Green Deal objectives, addressing environmental challenges, improving supply chain efficiency, and fostering business sustainability. This paper presents a conceptual framework for green logistics practices and their application for ensuring sustainable organisational development. Methods: Using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Simple Additive Weighting (SAW) methodologies, this study assesses the importance of green logistics practices in Lithuanian SMEs and their future application. The AHP method facilitates pairwise comparisons to determine the weights of green logistics criteria, while the SAW method evaluates the final sub-criteria by aggregating normalized scores according to the identified weights. Results: A survey of ten companies revealed that green transportation is the most developed green logistics practice, with the focus on infrastructure, skills and transport optimisation. Green warehousing is the second most significant practice, with SMEs considering it vital to green logistics because of its sustainable warehousing measures. Green packaging is considered third in terms of importance, due to the attention paid to the packaging materials used. Conclusions: The full potential of green logistics has yet to be realised. Adopting a more balanced approach could enhance environmental outcomes and bolster the resilience of the long-term supply chain. Full article

Spermatogenesis is a tightly coordinated differentiation program that sustains male fertility while transmitting genetic and epigenetic information to the next generation. This review consolidates mechanistic evidence showing how RNA-centered regulation integrates with the epitranscriptome and three-dimensional (3D) genome architecture to orchestrate germ-cell fate transitions from spermatogonial stem cells through meiosis and spermiogenesis. Recent literature is critically surveyed and synthesized, with particular emphasis on human and primate data and on stage-resolved maps generated by single-cell and multi-omics technologies. Collectively, available studies support a layered regulatory model in which RNA-binding proteins and RNA modifications coordinate transcript processing, storage, translation, and decay; small and long noncoding RNAs shape post-transcriptional programs and transposon defense; and dynamic chromatin remodeling and 3D reconfiguration align transcriptional competence with recombination, sex-chromosome silencing, and genome packaging. Convergent nodes implicated in spermatogenic failure are highlighted, including defects in RNA metabolism, piRNA pathway integrity, epigenetic reprogramming, and nuclear architecture, and the potential of these frameworks to refine molecular phenotyping in male infertility is discussed. Finally, key gaps and priorities for causal testing in spatially informed, stage-specific experimental systems are outlined. Full article

The decarbonisation of urban heating systems represents a key challenge for the transition towards sustainable cities. This study investigates the field integration of a Medium-Temperature Heat Pump (MTHP) within the Osimo District Heating Network (DHN) in Italy, demonstrating how low-grade return flows (30–50 °C) can be effectively upgraded to supply temperatures of 65–75 °C, in line with 4th-generation district heating requirements. Specifically, 5256 h of MTHP operation within the DHN were analysed to validate the initial design assumptions, develop surrogate performance models, and assess the system’s techno-economic and environmental performance. The results indicate stable and reliable operation, with a weighted average Coefficient of Performance (COP) of 3.96 and a weighted average thermal output of 134.5 kW. From an economic perspective, the system achieves a payback period of approximately six years and a Levelised Cost of Heat (LCOH) of 0.0245 €/kWh. Environmentally, the MTHP enables CO₂ emission reductions of about 120 t compared with conventional gas-fired boilers. Beyond its technical performance, the study highlights the strong replicability of MTHP solutions for small- and medium-scale DHNs across Europe. The proposed approach offers urban utilities a scalable and cost-competitive pathway towards low-carbon heat supply, directly supporting municipal climate strategies and aligning with key EU policy frameworks, including the European Green Deal, REPowerEU, and the “Fit-for-55” package. Full article

The growing demand for fresh fruit, coupled with high postharvest losses, highlights the need for sustainable and effective preservation technologies. In this context, polymeric biocoatings are emerging as a promising alternative to conventional synthetic packaging, thanks to their biodegradability, film-forming capacity, and potential to incorporate bioactive compounds. This review article summarizes recent advances in the development of coatings based on polysaccharides, proteins, and nanomaterials, analyzing their physicochemical, functional, and sensory properties, and the main conventional and emerging application methods used in fresh fruit. It also highlights the role of phenolic compounds and essential oils as antioxidant and antimicrobial agents, along with the valorization of agro-industrial by-products under circular economy schemes. Finally, it discusses the challenges associated with standardization, industrial scaling, and consumer acceptance, proposing future perspectives aimed at designing multifunctional systems that extend the shelf life and improve the quality of fresh products, in line with environmental sustainability objectives. Unlike recent reviews, this work unifies structure–function relationships with quantitative comparisons of coating performance across fruits. It further contributes a critical evaluation of emerging application technologies and their technological and regulatory readiness, offering a distinctly more integrated perspective. Full article

As a packaging material, molded pulp has experienced sustained growth in demand because of its high recyclability and biodegradability. However, refined structural modeling of their behavior during transportation remains limited. This study established finite element representations of molded pulp packaging structural cells and developed a spring–mass dynamic model that incorporates the parameters of the packaged product. The proposed model can predict the combined modal characteristics of molded pulp packaging and the protected item while significantly reducing the computational requirements compared with traditional FEM (finite element method) analyses. Experimental validation shows that the prediction error of the first order modal frequency is approximately 6%, which meets the actual needs. The model provides a foundation for the subsequent optimization of molded pulp structures under road transport conditions. Full article

Household food waste is a complex issue shaped by socioeconomic conditions, household size, time and resource constraints, and routine food management behaviors. Understanding the practices, attitudes, barriers, and motivators that influence food waste is crucial for designing effective and sustainable interventions for low-income households experiencing high rates of food insecurity. Guided by community input, a food waste reduction education program was developed and piloted in seven California counties. In total, 50 adults were enrolled; 40 completed pre/post surveys, 17 completed food waste audits, and 14 responded to a four-month follow-up survey. Survey results showed significant increases in key food management behaviors: making and using a shopping list, freezing food, and using leftovers in future meals. The percentage of participants discarding food because of package dates declined from 53% to 30%. All measures of barriers and self-efficacy improved. Food audit results indicated the volume and weight of solid and liquid food waste decreased, although the changes were not statistically significant. At follow-up, all respondents reported checking their refrigerator and cupboards before shopping, making a shopping list, and storing and reheating food safely all or most of the time. Overall, the findings demonstrate that practical, skills-based education can help low-income households reduce food waste. Full article