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29-06-2023 | Science-policy perspectives

Development of biodegradable food packaging in the context of COVID-19: sustainability more urgent than ever

Authors: Thaiza Serrano Pinheiro de Souza, Julia Rabelo Vaz Matheus, Andreza Salles Barone, Danielle Cristine Mota Ferreira, Franciele Maria Pelissari, Ana Elizabeth Cavalcante Fai

Published in: Sustainability Nexus Forum | Special Issue 1/2022

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Abstract

The indiscriminate overconsumption of non-biodegradable packaging, particularly single-use food packaging, resulting from COVID-19 is exacerbating an age-old environmental problem. This is due to changes in consumer behavior that is concerned with safety issues when buying food, which has led to a preference for purchase in delivery and take-out. In addition, health department agencies indicate the use of disposable products to prevent contamination (e.g., disposable foods; and pre-packaged foods). To date, there is no evidence of SARS-CoV‑2 contamination through food ingestion, however, COVID-19 has raised awareness about packaging for hygienic-sanitary protection of food. This thesis paper discusses arguments from the literature regarding the current development of biodegradable food packaging in the context of COVID-19. It takes an international perspective concerning the impact of the pandemic and correlates it with the changes in current and post-pandemic perspectives. To minimize the impacts related to the increase in the consumption of plastics, there must be a greater investment in research for the development of biodegradable packaging focusing on recyclability. Besides that, there is a necessity to change the type of economy adopted nowadays—that is, the linear economy, to the circular economy.

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Title: Development of biodegradable food packaging in the context of COVID-19: sustainability more urgent than ever
Authors: Thaiza Serrano Pinheiro de Souza
Julia Rabelo Vaz Matheus
Andreza Salles Barone
Danielle Cristine Mota Ferreira
Franciele Maria Pelissari
Ana Elizabeth Cavalcante Fai
Publication date: 29-06-2023
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: Sustainability Nexus Forum / Issue Special Issue 1/2022
Print ISSN: 2948-1619
Electronic ISSN: 2948-1627
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00550-023-00529-3