Comparative Carbon Footprint of Packaging Systems for Tuna Products

The present study aimed to evaluate and compare the carbon footprint associated with canned tuna meat with a focus on packaging systems used to provide one single-serve meal. The manufacturing process of retort pouches and cups produced 60% and 70% less greenhouse gas emissions, respectively, than that of metal cans. However, the overall carbon footprint of canned tuna in retort cups was 10% and 22% less than when packaged in metal cans and retort pouches, respectively. Packaging and its associated processing constituted significant fractions of the product's carbon footprint, ranging from 20% to 40%. Hotspots in the life cycle assessment of canned tuna are packaging production and disposal and product sterilization. The improvement of retort operation in terms of capacity and energy utilization and the efficiency of post-consumption packaging material recovery are the key factors responsible for the reduction of a product's carbon footprint. These issues present a challenge to both the food industry and the local authorities. Copyright (c) 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.