Review
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Hamed Ahari, Amir Ali Anvar, Maryam Ataee, Mohammad Naeimabadi
Summary: The increasing demand for ready-to-cook and ready-to-eat foods has led to a shift towards minimal processing and nutrient preservation in food packaging. The emergence of nanoscience has revolutionized the packaging industry, offering novel approaches to improve food safety and quality economically. This review study provides an overview of common chemical and natural nanocomposites used in food packaging to extend shelf life and enhance food safety and quality.
Review
Microbiology
Hamed Ahari, Solmaz P. Soufiani
Summary: The integration of nanotechnology with food packaging systems has shown promising results in promoting the shelf life of foods by introducing novel FPSs. By employing nanotechnologies like metal nanoparticles and nanoemulsions, as well as appropriate biomaterials, both active food packaging (AFP) and smart food packaging (SFP) systems have been enhanced to increase foods' shelf life.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Valeria Frigerio, Andrea Casson, Sara Limbo
Summary: This paper aims to clarify the impact of two Functional Units (F.U.) on comparative food packaging LCAs and provide consistent methodology for shelf-life inclusion in impact assessment. The results show that the two F.U. require different scopes and modeling methods, leading to different outcomes. It is suggested to use the Inherent F.U. to discriminate packaging solutions based on their attributes and the Explicit F.U. when a predefined time requirement needs to be met.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Natasha Hutchings, Beatrice Smyth, Eoin Cunningham, Mahamad Yousif, Chirangano Mangwandi
Summary: This study aimed to establish a method for comparing the environmental impact of traditional and biodegradable lidding films. The results showed that, when considering shelf-life, the global warming potential of biodegradable films may be higher than traditional films, but incorporating waste products and improved farming practices can significantly reduce the environmental impact of biodegradable films.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Margot Cooreman-Algoed, Lieselot Boone, Sue Ellen Taelman, Steven Van Hemelryck, Aurore Brunson, Jo Dewulf
Summary: This study investigates the environmental impact of household chicken meat waste on food packaging system and food loss and waste (FLW) through material flow analysis and life cycle assessment. The findings reveal that the behavior of major wasters increases the environmental impact of the food chain by 8.4%, with FLW contributing ten times more to the environmental impact compared to packaging materials.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Laura Settier-Ramirez, Gracia Lopez-Carballo, Pilar Hernandez-Munoz, Raisa Tinitana-Bayas, Rafael Gavara, Neus Sanjuan
Summary: Extending shelf life can reduce food losses in the entire food chain, and active packaging utilizing natural antimicrobial compounds is an effective method to inhibit the growth of microorganisms causing food spoilage. The development of recyclable active packaging can significantly reduce food waste and environmental impact.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Atika Ahmad, Ahsanulhaq Qurashi, David Sheehan
Summary: The constantly evolving field of food packaging is driven by consumer awareness and safety concerns. The introduction of nanotechnology offers revolutionary perspectives for addressing challenges in food preservation, security, quality control, and sustainability. Nanomaterials provide unique characteristics to food packaging products, such as enhanced antibacterial properties, thermal and catalytic conductivity. However, their potential remains largely unexplored and incorporating them into the food packaging industry requires careful consideration of aspects like cost, legislation, consumer acceptance, cytotoxicity, and migration behavior.
FOOD PACKAGING AND SHELF LIFE
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
R. B. Y. Chan
Summary: Optimizing packaging to align with consumers' food management needs can reduce household food waste in a sustainable food system. Divergent priorities between industry and consumers impede food waste reduction, as industry focuses on business viability while consumer needs are secondary. Increased communication between industry and consumers, along with validating product-packaging with consumers, can help align priorities and reduce food waste.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2023)
Review
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Linda Brennan, Sophie Langley, Karli Verghese, Simon Lockrey, Maddison Ryder, Caroline Francis, Nhat Tram Phan-Le, Allister Hill
Summary: Food packaging is often seen as negative for the environment, but it actually serves to protect food, extend shelf life, and reduce food waste. Consumer knowledge and perception of packaging functions play a key role in their acceptance or rejection of new packaging technologies. Research on consumer perceptions of food packaging and their role in reducing food waste is lacking, highlighting the need for more studies in this area.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2021)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Aastha Bhardwaj, Nitya Sharma, Vasudha Sharma, Tanweer Alam, J. K. Sahu, Hinna Hamid
Summary: The study indicates that using chitosan and beeswax-chitosan coated paper packaging for whole wheat bread improves bread quality and microbiological stability. Consumers show a positive attitude towards green purchasing and the functionality of renewable packaging materials.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Christina Tsouti, Christina Papadaskalopoulou, Angeliki Konsta, Panagiotis Andrikopoulos, Margarita Panagiotopoulou, Sofia Papadaki, Christos Boukouvalas, Magdalini Krokida, Katerina Valta
Summary: Food systems contribute 21-37% of total anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions, while retail and consumption stages in the European Union are responsible for half of the food waste in the entire supply chain. To address this, new packaging materials with antioxidant and antimicrobial compounds are being developed to extend the shelf life of fresh products. This research evaluates the environmental performance of two novel packaging films enriched with these bio-active compounds for fresh tomatoes. Both films showed antioxidant effects, prolonging shelf life by three days, and exhibited antibacterial and antimicrobial activity against various pathogens. Life cycle assessment indicated a decrease in environmental impacts by 14% for both films compared to conventional packaging, although the production of the novel films had increased environmental impacts of 31% and 18% respectively.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Tamara Bucher, Jaala Malcolm, Soumi Paul Mukhopadhyay, Quan Vuong, Emma Beckett
Summary: Edible coatings (wax) increase the shelf life of fresh apples, but Australian consumers have rejected them without clear reasons. Educating consumers about the purpose of coatings can significantly increase their acceptance, and there is a negative correlation between consumers' food technology neophobia and acceptance.
FOOD QUALITY AND PREFERENCE
(2023)
Review
Food Science & Technology
Joseph Robert Nastasi, Vassilis Kontogiorgos, Venea Dara Daygon, Melissa A. Fitzgerald
Summary: Pectin-based packaging containing plant extracts is used as a film or coating to improve food shelf-life. However, the hydrophilic nature of pectin material limits its application in high surface moisture foods. Adding hydrophobic plant extracts, such as essential oils, can improve the hydrophobicity of pectin material while still providing food preserving effects. Commonly added essential oils from herbs and citrus have strong antimicrobial properties. Optimizing extract concentration and selection can further develop targeted food preservation systems.
TRENDS IN FOOD SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Food Science & Technology
Gyula Kasza, Nina Veflen, Joachim Scholderer, Lars Munter, Laszlo Fekete, Eszter Zita Csenki, Annamaria Dorko, David Szakos, Tekla Izso
Summary: This article discusses the relationship between environmental awareness and food safety, pointing out that some environmentally conscious behaviors may lead to food safety risks. Expert opinions suggest that behaviors such as consuming moldy food, expired perishables, storing leftovers for too long, avoiding single-use plastic packaging, among others, may increase food safety risks.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Surya Sudheer, Smarak Bandyopadhyay, Rajeev Bhat
Summary: Sustainable food packaging is crucial for quality retention and product safety. The review focuses on recent developments in sustainable bio-based hydrogel packaging materials, discussing challenges and future prospects. It suggests the implementation of life cycle assessment, certifications, and a sustainable waste management system for improved recycling.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2023)
Article
Thermodynamics
Yue Zhou, Ruoxi Wen, Hewu Wang, Hua Cai
Article
Transportation Science & Technology
Hao Luo, Fu Zhao, Wei-Qiang Chen, Hua Cai
TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH PART C-EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES
(2020)
Article
Thermodynamics
Yanni Liang, Hua Cai, Guilin Zou
Summary: This study develops a BSS configuration and operation model with three charging strategies to enhance energy saving, emission reduction, and economic feasibility. The valley charging strategy can achieve the lowest peak-valley grid load difference and the greatest emission reductions, but requires higher investments.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Maria Belen T. Salazar, M. Fernanda San Martin-Gonzalez, Hua Cai, Jen-Yi Huang
Summary: Labor, packaging, and raw materials are the major variable costs of craft beer. The investment in IWHS is not profitable for the microbrewery at its current productivity level. Raw material production and beer processing are the environmental hotspots for craft beer production.
FOOD AND BIOPRODUCTS PROCESSING
(2021)
Article
Environmental Studies
Zhaoyu Kou, Hua Cai
Summary: This study proposed a stochastic simulation framework to compare the impacts of different types of bike share systems on user experience and system operations. It found that in cities with high usage-intensity, transitioning station-based systems into hybrid systems can be beneficial.
TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH PART D-TRANSPORT AND ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Statistics & Probability
Fang Chen, Hong Wan, Hua Cai, Guang Cheng
Summary: Machine learning and blockchain are two significant technologies that can collaborate efficiently to achieve more secure and efficient data sharing and analysis.
CANADIAN JOURNAL OF STATISTICS-REVUE CANADIENNE DE STATISTIQUE
(2021)
Article
Environmental Studies
Hao Luo, Zimo Zhang, Konstantina Gkritza, Hua Cai
Summary: The study proposed a modeling framework to investigate the potential impacts of shared e-scooter trips on existing bus systems, showing that competing trips could lead to a reduction in bus ridership, while complementary trips mainly occur in areas with limited bus coverage.
TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH PART D-TRANSPORT AND ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Review
Energy & Fuels
Jing Zhang, Li Li, Hua Cai, Jianjun Wang, Jian Zhang
Summary: This study compared smart grids in North America, Europe, and China using a two-dimensional smartness framework, finding that SGs in North America and Europe excel in functional smartness while China's SG focuses more on technical smartness. Taking into account social acceptance, China's SG may grow more rapidly in the future.
ENERGY SCIENCE & ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Li Song, Hua Cai, Ting Zhu
Summary: Analyzing detailed grocery shopping records of 57,578 U.S. households, this study identified three key strategies to reduce household food carbon footprints: reducing over-purchasing, decreasing intake of snacks and ready-made food, and focusing on reducing carbon intensity of high-volume food items.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Joe F. Bozeman, Shauhrat S. Chopra, Philip James, Sajjad Muhammad, Hua Cai, Kangkang Tong, Maya Carrasquillo, Harold Rickenbacker, Destenie Nock, Weslynne Ashton, Oliver Heidrich, Sybil Derrible, Melissa Bilec
Summary: Now is the time to refocus efforts in urban research and design to address the unique challenges presented by climate change and extreme weather events. Three research priorities for just and sustainable urban systems are social equity and justice, circularity, and digital twins. These priorities include initiatives such as equity analysis, integration metrics, and reducing complexity in the development of digital twins.
JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Computer Science, Information Systems
Li Li, Tianfeng Li, Hua Cai, Jian Zhang, Jianjun Wang
Summary: Research shows that smart home appliance consumers face a privacy paradox - they perceive a high risk of privacy disclosure, but it doesn't affect their purchase behavior. However, for repeat consumers with usage experience, this privacy paradox problem may not exist. Repeat purchasers have a lower perception of privacy risk and it weakly influences their willingness to repurchase.
COMPUTERS & SECURITY
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Yue Li, Hao Luo, Hua Cai
Summary: Many cities use solar panels to power off-grid bike share stations for sustainable transportation. However, previous research has not considered the spatial variability of solar potential and energy usage in evaluating the environmental impacts of these stations. This study addresses this gap and analyzes the performance of PV-battery systems for bike share stations.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Vanessa Jine Schweizer, Alastair David Jamieson-Lane, Hua Cai, Stephan Lehner, Matteo Smerlak
Summary: Cross-impact balance (CIB) analysis is a system-theoretical approach to investigate complex socio-economic systems. By considering all possible system evolutions as transitions in a Markov chain, CIB can provide information about system evolution. In this study, we applied this approach to a three-variable system and found that it generally replicated the findings of traditional CIB. However, the information about system attractors may be lost in the process. Furthermore, we compared our model results to a literature review on human demography and found that economic development is crucial to prevent low-income countries from getting stuck in a demographic trap.
Article
Psychology, Applied
Mustafa Lokhandwala, Hua Cai
TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH PART F-TRAFFIC PSYCHOLOGY AND BEHAVIOUR
(2020)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Li Li, Songliang Guo, Hua Cai, Jianjun Wang, Jian Zhang, Yuan Ni
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2020)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yui Kawasaki, Sayaka Nagao-Sato, Misa Shimpo, Kahori Fujisaki, Emi Yoshii, Rie Akamatsu, Petra Warschburger
Summary: This study qualitatively describes sustainable dietary behaviors (SDBs) that Japanese and German adults can implement in their lives, and quantitatively compares the similarities and differences in understanding SDBs between the two samples. The study found that Japanese participants were more focused on food waste prevention, while German participants were more focused on solving environmental problems.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Kechun Chen, Yuan Ding, Liming Yang, Zhihao Wang, Haoxuan Yu, Difan Fang, Yufa Feng, Liying Hu, Chenxi Xu, Penghui Shao, Xubiao Luo, Liang Chen
Summary: This study proposes a targeted repair scheme for the recovery of graphite anodes from spent LIBs by systematically characterizing and analyzing the structure and composition of spent graphite (SG). The results show that the repair scheme achieves effective SG repair and the repaired graphite anode displays excellent lithium storage performance.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Takao Ueda, Shigeki Koyanaka, Tatsuya Oki
Summary: Fires caused by accidental crushing of batteries are a serious issue in the e-waste recycling process. A new in-line sorting system that uses X-ray scanning and deep learning has been developed to accurately detect batteries. Through a validation study, the system achieved higher accuracy compared to other existing programs.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Hannes Geist, Frank Balle
Summary: Research on circular economy often lacks empirical data, especially in the theory of circular process design and design for remanufacturing. This study systematically collected and analyzed engineering data on seven remanufacturing processes in the European automotive remanufacturing industry for the first time, providing empirical support for circular engineering challenges, potentials, and solutions.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Xiaojing Li, Fan Lue, Nanlin Liao, Hua Zhang, Na Yang, Pinjing He
Summary: This study assesses and predicts the greenhouse gas emissions on the timeline as waste treatment technologies develop in Shanghai from 1991 to 2025 using the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology. The findings demonstrate that GHG emission has reached net-zero in 2019 owing to the application of alternative technologies and waste segregation.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Bingchun Liu, Haoyang Wang, Xiaoqin Liang, Yibo Wang, Zijie Feng
Summary: The expansion of the photovoltaic market has resulted in a significant increase in PV waste. Therefore, conducting scientific research to determine the importance of the circular economy for sustainable growth in the PV industry is essential. The study demonstrates that accurate prediction of PV installed capacity and quantifying the importance of recycling in balancing the supply and demand of raw materials can be achieved through a multi-factor installed capacity prediction model and recovery potential prediction.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2024)
Review
Engineering, Environmental
Chuanzhen Zhang, Baojing Gu, Xia Liang, Shu Kee Lam, Yi Zhou, Deli Chen
Summary: Reactive nitrogen is crucial for agriculture and human nutrition, but mismanagement can have detrimental effects on human health and ecosystem services, hindering the achievement of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. Progress towards nitrogen-related targets varies across countries, highlighting the need for integrated management to achieve overall synergies.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Alessandro Gatto, Marijke Kuiper, Corina van Middelaar, Hans van Meijl
Summary: This study examines the economic and environmental effects of transitioning towards more circular food systems in the European Union (EU27) by feeding animals with low-opportunity-cost feed and better utilizing local feed resources. The results show that providing subsidies for circularity and promoting the use of low-cost feed can increase animal production, but also have negative impacts on land use and emissions. On the other hand, promoting domestic feed sourcing through import tariffs can decrease animal production and greenhouse gas emissions in agriculture. However, complementary policies are needed to mitigate drawbacks and enhance benefits of a more circular agri-food system.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Jinbo Zhang, Liu Chen, Yulei Xie, Pingjian Yang, Zheng Li, Huaicheng Guo, Yang Zhang, Lirong Liu
Summary: This study examines the impact of carbon taxes on low-carbon development and climate change mitigation. By constructing a cross-system bi-layer model, the study finds that reasonable carbon taxes can promote the stability of the energy network, reduce carbon emissions and air pollutants, and optimize production efficiency and the structure of the energy system. This study contributes to a better understanding of the effects and implementation pathways of carbon taxes.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Konstantin Born, Mehmet Metehan Ciftci
Summary: Increasing recycling of metals is important for reducing reliance on mining, but it cannot fully meet future metal demand. Primary production of metals is expected to continue rising, highlighting the need for alternative circular economy strategies such as demand reduction and mitigating harmful impacts of primary metal production.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yinqiu Ma, Lin Huang, Jiahui Li, Wei Cao, Yumei Cai
Summary: Afforestation and reforestation, such as China's Grain for Green Program, have shown to effectively mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to carbon sink capacity. This study highlights the significant carbon potential of the program and its potential application in other countries to reduce CO2 in the atmosphere.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Arlind Dervishaj, Kjartan Gudmundsson
Summary: This paper reviews digital tools for supporting the Circular Economy (CE) in the built environment and provides suggestions. The study identifies limitations in the functionalities of current tools, including a lack of representative data for LCA and underdeveloped circularity indicators. Further development is needed in terms of interoperability aspects, integration of more sources of data for LCA and circularity, and possibilities for a comprehensive evaluation of design choices.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Mohamadreza Y. Azarfam, Anuj Maheshwari, Frank D. Blum, Siddhesh Chaudhari, Clinton Switzer, Ranji Vaidyanathan, Jay C. Hanan, Sudheer Bandla
Summary: This study introduces a feasible method for manufacturing recycled composites using post-consumer carpets and recycled resin. The resulting composites have impressive strength and modulus, surpassing commercial thermoplastics and making them suitable for structural applications. This research presents a promising approach to address carpet landfilling and reduce reliance on additives.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Pujiang Shi, Tianle Huang, Hong Kit Lim, Chiew Kei Tan, Jong-Min Lee, Chor Yong Tay
Summary: This study developed a highly porous bioadaptive 3D sponge-like construct from plastic materials in discarded keyboards for advanced in vitro applications. The findings demonstrate the potential of using discarded keyboards as a waste-to-resource feedstock to achieve waste reduction and maximize value-capture.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Kuo-Jui Wu, Hailing Qiu, Caiyan Huang, Anthony S. F. Chiu, Ming-Lang Tseng
Summary: Government resource allocation practices for achieving carbon neutrality should be guided by dynamic system theory to identify potential dynamics. Carbon intensity control dynamics have a significant influence on other dynamics.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2024)