Master's thesis; Leveraging the Product Environmental Footprint Method (PEF) to Determine the Food Waste-Food Packaging Environmental Breakeven Point from a Holistic Supply Chain Perspective

Background
Modern food systems face sustainability challenges related to food and packaging waste, where new types of packaging— utilising innovative materials—present a promising solution to extend shelf life and reduce spoilage. However, these innovations carry their environmental costs, making it essential to assess whether their benefits outweigh their impacts across the supply chain. This project will apply the Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) methodology, a comprehensive EU framework for evaluating life-cycle impacts, to identify the environmental breakeven point where the waste reduction benefits of smart packaging justify its added material footprint. The resulting insights will support more sustainable packaging decisions in food systems, contributing to a circular, waste-minimizing approach to food supply chain sustainability.

Description
RISE is offering a unique opportunity for a master’s student passionate about sustainability, life cycle assessment of food and food system innovation. This thesis project will explore the environmental impacts of new packaging solutions and their role in reducing food waste across the food supply chain. By taking a holistic, circular perspective—from farm to fork and back to end-of-life—the project aims to determine the environmental breakeven point where the benefits of reduced food waste balance the impacts of additional packaging.

Smart packaging solutions, such as bio-sensors or advanced materials, have the potential to improve shelf life and reduce food waste. This project will leverage the Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) methodology—a comprehensive European Commission initiative for assessing life-cycle environmental impacts—to evaluate these solutions.

Key Responsibilities

1. Identify the environmental breakeven point between food waste reduction and packaging impacts by applying the PEF method.

2. Apply PEF across the entire food supply chain, with a focus on circularity and the environmental impact of end-of-life product scenarios.

Proposed Methodology

• Employ LCA software tools to model and analyze supply chain impacts.
• Integrate primary data on packaging materials and solutions provided by RISE where feasible.

Expected Outcomes

• Quantified environmental impacts of “smart packaging” solutions.
• Identification of the breakeven point for sustainability gains through waste reduction versus packaging impact.
• Insights into the PEF method’s application across food supply chains.

Qualifications
Master’s level students in environmental science and engineering, food technology, supply chain management, or other sustainability-related fields are encouraged to apply. Experience or coursework in life-cycle assessment, sustainability metrics, or environmental management is highly valued.

Why RISE?
At RISE, you’ll work alongside a team of experts committed to advancing sustainable systems for the future. This thesis project offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in implementing and testing cutting-edge digital tools in real-world food production environments.

Terms
Deadline for Applications: November 22, 2024 

Location: Lund or Gothenburg, Sweden 

Limited travel for facility visits and conferences may be required.

Benefits: 10,000 SEK for travel, materials, and similar expenses after approved thesis work.

Welcome with your application!
Ready to be at the forefront of sustainable innovation? Apply now and help us pave the way for next-generation lifecycle assessments! For questions, please contact Mehran Rad (Mehran.naseri.rad@ri.se) or Pegah Amani (Pegah.amani@ri.se).