Sustainable Products And Packaging
PIQET Packaging Impact Quick Evaluation Tool
Abstract
PIQETİ the Packaging Impact Quick Evaluation Tool is built on robust methodology developed by the Centre for Design through its association with SPA (the Sustainable Packaging Alliance), a not-for-profit alliance dedicated to the development and dissemination of sustainable packaging practice.
PIQETİ addresses identified gaps relating to the knowledge, selection, design and use of sustainable packaging materials and the need for credible, business-ready tools to enable packaging environmental decision making.
PIQETİ is a rapid life cycle assessment (LCA) based tool which evaluates environmental impacts of packaging systems throughout the life cycle. As a business ready and stand-alone tool, PIQETİ will seamlessly slot into the business processes of companies such as new product development (NPD).
PIQETİ will assist Companies to identify priority areas, set goals and targets, develop optimised packaging systems and meet and report specific NPC KPIs. It will also inform NPC (National Packaging Covenant) Action Plans and, will be a powerful awareness building/training tool that will inform and challenge key packaging decision makers (e.g., marketing managers).
The PIQET software tool will be online during 2007, and will be provided along with support services to provide environmental packaging system evaluation options for all Australian industries. End users of the tool will include commercial companies, government departments and research organisations.
The project is currently being turned from the prototype into a software program which will be finished by early 2007.
Project Partners
PIQETİ is currently funded through the following company sponsors:
- Simplot Australia
- Masterfoods Australia New Zealand
- Cadbury Schweppes
- Nestle Australia
- Lion Nathan
Government funding grants inlcude:
- Sustainability Victoria
- The Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts as part of their Information Technology Online Program (ITOL)
- Department of Environment and Heritage
Methodology
PIQETİ will enable company packaging specifications, manufacturing and distribution data (all levels of packaging) to be quickly entered and assessed against regularly updated life cycle assessment (LCA) and other environmental data, and Australian packaging recycling and waste management data.
PIQETİ will consider all levels of packaging and different product categories and will allow for assessments of incoming raw materials packaging systems and outgoing product packaging systems of an organisation. The resulting output will be an evaluation of the environmental impact of the packaging system within the specific context of its use, illustrated by indicators in key impact categories.
PIQETİ will also provide information on the recyclability and recycling rates of packaging materials used. PIQETİ will have features to allow for benchmarking packaging designs over time and the ability to assess the environmental impact of different packaging formats and undertake scenario analysis through simulation and modelling.
Users of PIQETİ will be able to explore improvement options by quickly re-running evaluations with changed packaging system specifications.
Timeframe
A prototype of PIQETİ in a spreadsheet format is complete and is being trialled by our industry partners. An on-line version of this tool is also under construction and is expected to be launched in mid-2007.
We are seeking input and support from industry to ensure that the tool will be relevant and useful. It is envisaged that those involved in new product development within the packaging supply chain and in procurement tenders will use PIQET to assist them in defining company packaging strategies, selecting materials for packaging re-design or packaging innovation, and specifying packaging for procurement of incoming goods.
SPA is seeking partners within the packaging supply chain for investment in this project.
For further information please contact Dr. Karli Verghese, Manager Sustainable Products and Packaging: ph +61 3 9925 2237, email karli.verghese@rmit.edu.au