Study 2021-021350, Advice prospective for the eco-design of a sustainable packaging
MILIUNVERD Olis de finca (www.miliunverd.com), in its drive to collaborate towards improving ecological sustainability and reducing environmental impact, has been working with the Eurecat technology centre (www.eurecat.org) in the search for innovative packagings for its oils. For this purpose, a joint project has been carried out comparing the various alternatives available on the market for packaging extra virgin olive oil, finally selecting the Bag-in-Box® system for this product.
The study included an initial benchmarking phase in which various alternative types of packaging were considered for the oil. Some of the alternatives initially contemplated were flexible plastic packaging, recycled glass or aluminium, which were evaluated taking into account both their environmental performance and also theoretical variables such as the functionality of the packaging, preservation of the product, availability of the packaging on the market and its aesthetic qualities.
Among the viable options at the technical level (optimal packagings for maintaining the oil’s qualities) and at a logistical level (available and accessible at market level), a simplified environmental study was carried out using the Life Cycle Analysis methodology, taking into account the materials required for manufacturing each type of packaging and its processing. Among the various favourable options in environmental terms, the Bag-in-Box® system has been chosen for being the most appropriate in view of all the factors described.
The Bag-in-Box® packaging, in addition to having a very low environmental impact, presents an optimal design for maintaining the oil in good condition. On the one hand, the cardboard box protects it from temperature and light, which is important because these two factors can deteriorate olive oil. On the other hand, the inner bag with a tap allows the oil to be extracted while minimising contact with air, thus reducing the presence of oxygen and preventing oxidation of the oil.
MILIUNVERD_Olis de finca has chosen to collaborate with Eurecat because it is Catalonia’s leading technology centre and the second largest private research organisation in the south of Europe. Eurecat’s Technological Unit of Wastes, Energy and Environmental Impact (WEEI), which has collaborated with MILIUNVERD_Olis de finca, contributes to sustainable development through the circular economy, promoting and investigating new technologies for the minimisation of waste and the processing and reuse of both organic (from the agri-food industry) and inorganic waste (plastics, metals, etc.)
