This scoping review examines how food packaging life cycle assessments (LCAs) incorporate packaging-related food waste across different food categories. By analyzing 23 peer-reviewed studies, the review explores the extent to which packaging solutions help reduce food waste, identifies the food product categories most affected, and highlights gaps for future research.
Findings show that LCAs primarily focus on high-impact food categories, such as animal-based products (meat and dairy) and perishable items like fresh fruits and vegetables. Plastic is the most frequently assessed packaging material, with "shelf-life extension" identified as a crucial packaging attribute for minimizing food waste. Despite the importance of packaging in reducing waste, the limited number of studies indicates a need for more comprehensive assessments across various food categories and a broader evaluation of packaging attributes.
The review underscores the potential for future LCA research to further examine packaging’s role in waste reduction across diverse food products, supporting more sustainable packaging practices and informed policy development.