LV EN RU DE FR

Sustainibility of Packaging

Course developer

Prior knowledge

Ekon5135, Environmental Economics

VadZ5081, Ecopreneurship

Course abstract

The aim of the study course is to expand students' knowledge and understanding of the packaging industry and sustainability solutions. As well as being able to analyse and navigate the issues of the packaging industry. Students get acquainted with the general characteristics of the packaging industry. Views packaging as an essential marketing element. Assess the design and functionality of packaging materials. Acquire knowledge of conventional, active, intelligent and biodegradable packaging. Describe the sustainability of transport packages, packaging and the economic aspects of the packaging cycle. Analyse the management and recycling of used packaging.
Practical works and seminars will give practical skills to evaluate packaging materials.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

1. Students acquire theoretical and practical knowledge and understanding of the packaging industry, packaging materials and technologies, logistics, packaging recycling and their sustainability. Are able to explain the key concepts and legal relationships of the packaging industry – practical works; workshops.
2. Practical knowledge and ability to orient themselves in packaging types, manufacturing processes of forms and implementation of packaging technologies  practical works; workshops; Test 1.
3. Competence: capable of selecting and analyzing packaging materials, latest packaging technologies, design and functionality. – Test 2; 2 home works, practical works; report.

Course Content(Calendar)

1. Packaging as an essential element of added value. Work in groups – analysis of the situation (lecture – 1h, practical work – 2h).
2. Product life cycle (lecture – 1h).
3. Conventional packaging, its types, functionality and design. Workshop – discussion. Practical handling of packaging grouping (workshop – 2h, practical work – 2h).
4. Active, intelligent and biodegradable packaging. Working in groups. First test (lecture – 1h, practical work – 1h).
5. Packaging as a cornerstone for maintaining product quality and reducing waste. Discussion, critical approach (lecture – 1h, workshop – 2h).
6. Recycling and managment of packaging, the economic benefits associated with it. Discussion and analysis (workshop – 1h).
7. Packaging sustainability solutions. Workshop – discussion (lecture – 1h, workshop – 2h).
8. Digitization of packaging. (lecture – 1h).
9. Recognition, application and regulation of packaging markings, hundreds and packaging. Test for matching the correct questions and answers of the labelling symbols. (lecture – 1h, practical work – 2h).
10. Close symbiosis of packaging and product. Second test (practical work – 1h).
11. Consumers, their awareness of the “brilliance and scourge” of packaging (lecture – 1h, practical work – 1h).

Requirements for awarding credit points

The course includes two tests, two homeworks. One group work (packaging development) and three seminars to be taken during practical work in the classroom. Final assessment of the study course – final grade (mark) is given as an accumulative assessment of the study results.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

Within the study course, 56 hours are allocated for independent studies, which are organized as follows: elaboration of a report on the student's chosen packaging topic and questionnaire (30 respondents) and preparation of two homeworks (32 hours); preparation for group work (4 hours); preparation for tests (10 hours for each test).

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

Gala vērtējums studiju kursā veidojas:
50% referāts, uz kuru pamatojoties students kārto ieskaiti, to prezentējot un aizstāvot;
5% grupu darbs (iepakojuma izstrāde);
20% kontroldarbi par iepakojumiem aktuāliem jautājumiem;
25% nostrādāti visi praktiskie darbi, semināri un iesniegti abi mājasdarbi.
The final grade in the study course is formed by:
50% report, on the basis of which the student takes a test, presenting and defending it;
5% group work (packaging development);
20% tests on topical issues of packaging;
25% of all practical work, seminars and both homework submitted.

Compulsory reading

1. Dukaļska L., Muižniece-Brasava S. Progresīvās iepakojuma tehnoloģijas pārtikas industrijā. Jelgava:, LLU, 2012. 192 lpp.
2. Dukaļska L. Pārtikas produktu iepakošanas tehnoloģija. Jelgava: LLU PTF, 2003. 670 lpp.
3. Robertson G.L. Food Packaging: Principles and Practice. 3rd Edition. Boca Raton: CRC Press, 2012. 733 p.
4. Helstrom D., Olsoon A. Managing Packaging Design for Sustainable Development: A Compass for Strategic Directions. Chichester, UK: Wiley. 2017. 240 p.
5. Waldron KW. Handbook of Waste Management and Co-Product Recovery in Food Processing. vol 2. Woodhead Publishing.2009. 680 p.

Further reading

1. Dukaļska L., Muižniece-Brasava S. Biodegradējamie iepakošanas materiāli pārtikas industrijā. Jelgava: LLU, 2008. 104 lpp.
2. Klimchuk MR., Krasovec SA. Packaging Design: Successful Product Branding From Concept to Shelf 2nd Edition. Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons. 2012. 246 p.
3. Belvedere V., Grando A. Sustainable Operations and Supply Chain Management (Wiley Series in Operations Research and Management Science) 1st Edition. Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons. 2012. 228 p.
4. Grant D.B., Trautrims A., Wong C.Y. Sustainable Logistics and Supply Chain Management. Kogan Page. 2015. 256 p.

Periodicals and other sources

1.The magazine Tara i upakovka [tiešsaiste]. Pieejams: http://www.magpack.ru/en/win/soderj.html
2.Bioplastic Magazine [tiešsaiste]. Pieejams: https://www.bioplasticsmagazine.com/en/index.php
3.The European Organization for Packaging and the Environment [tiešsaiste]. Pieejams: https://europen-packaging.eu/about-us.html

Notes

Limited-choice study course of the ESAF academic master's degree study program “Economics” in the specialization direction “Business and Logistics.