Environmental Impact Assessment for Packaging Materials

This paper presents the eco-friendly design efforts carried out at the Daikin Türkiye R&D Center, addressing innovative approaches aimed at reducing carbon emissions and supporting sustainable production. In this context, the environmental impacts of different materials were examined in detail to reduce environmental effects in product development processes and to ensure compliance with sustainability criteria. Within this framework, the 13 sustainable product criteria published by Daikin Japan (DIL), which serve as a guide in sustainable product development processes, were reviewed, and one of these criteria was selected for in-depth analysis. An application example developed in line with the selected criterion is also presented as one of the focal points of this paper. In the application example, the environmental impacts of different types of packaging materials used in boiler products were evaluated. Environmental impact calculations were supported with technical information in accordance with the Product Category Rules (PCR) and packaging-related regulations. This study aimed to determine the most suitable alternatives in terms of sustainability by comprehensively examining the environmental impacts of four different packaging materials (EPS, 100% recycled cardboard, cardboard honeycomb panel, and molded pulp). The consistency of the obtained data with the literature was also examined in detail. As a result of the study, the packaging material with the optimum environmental impact value was identified in light of the determined design parameters. It is projected that this packaging material will prevent 62% more emission release compared to equivalent products.