Supporting sustainable packaging decisions: A design proposal for increased sustainability focus in ICA Special’s packaging development process
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Typ
Examensarbete för masterexamen
Master Thesis
Master Thesis
Program
Industrial design engineering (MPDES), MSc
Publicerad
2019
Författare
Berg, Daniel
Samuelsson, Oskar
Modellbyggare
Tidskriftstitel
ISSN
Volymtitel
Utgivare
Sammanfattning
ABSTRACT Packaging fills an important role by protecting goods as they move through the supply chain. If designed correctly, the benefits outweigh the disadvantages from an environmental sustainability perspective. However, finding this balance is not easy, especially when this responsibility is assigned to someone who is not an expert in the field. This study aimed to investigate how design could be used to support sustainable decisions regarding packaging. The study was conducted in collaboration with Ica Special, the division that is responsible for the majority of non-food goods sold at the Swedish retail company Ica. The study consisted of two phases, where the purpose of the first was to identify opportunities for increased environmental sustainability connected to decisions regarding packaging of non-food goods. To do this, interviews, workshops and field studies were conducted which formed the basis for the results of the first phase, a set of guidelines that should be regarded when implementing the design concept, in order to successfully support the development of sustainable packaging at Ica. In phase two, the purpose was to design a concept that could facilitate the selection of sustainable packaging alternatives during the decision-making process. The guidelines for implementation was used during the ideation, where ideas were developed for how to improve the packaging development process from a sustainability perspective, as well as how to support product managers throughout this process. The phase resulted in a design concept consisting of two artefacts and a proposed working procedure. The first artefact is an informative packaging guide which aims to increase product managers’ and suppliers’ awareness and knowledge of sustainable packaging. The guide also contains a set of questions that can be used to identify packaging in the existing assortment that should be revised, and how these should be prioritised. The second artefact is an interactive checklist, which is to be used as a quick-assessment tool when choosing packaging for a new private label product. The proposed working procedure aims to standardize the packaging development process at Ica, and provides guidance for product managers on how to utilise the designed artifacts in an efficient way. The designed concept is the result of an extensive study where multiple stakeholders that in some way affect or are affected by the packaging development process have been included on several occasions. It also encompasses the majority of aspects that affects the packaging sustainability. It can therefore be argued that it will aid in the development of sustainable packaging at Ica Special.
Beskrivning
Ämne/nyckelord
Produktion , Hållbar utveckling , Innovation och entreprenörskap (nyttiggörande) , Annan teknik , Production , Sustainable Development , Innovation & Entrepreneurship , Other Engineering and Technologies