Optimizing bubble tea packaging sustainability in Taipei: A life cycle assessment and multi-objective optimization approach for circular economy integration
Journal
Resources, Conservation and Recycling
Journal Volume
232
Start Page
108962
ISSN
0921-3449
Date Issued
2026-06
Author(s)
Abstract
The rapid growth of the global bubble tea market, projected to reach USD 3.72 billion by 2034, has intensified concerns over packaging-related environmental impacts. This study integrates a demand-driven LCA framework with multi-objective optimization to identify sustainable packaging design strategies across the product life cycle. The model evaluates economic and environmental indicators using established LCA methods and databases. The analysis yields 9 Pareto-optimal solutions, revealing that reusable PP packaging achieves lower impacts in several environmental categories but requires at least 120 uses to justify manufacturing burdens, with optimal performance beyond 300 uses. Once usage exceeds 100 uses, design priorities shift from material selection toward durability and logistics in reusable systems. Industry feedback confirms operational challenges including consumer perception-driven retirement, infrastructure constraints, and cost structure barriers. This study advances methodological innovation by integrating real-world reuse dynamics, usage frequency dependencies, and stakeholder insights to bridge the gap between technical optimization and practical implementation.
Subjects
Demand-driven perspective
Life cycle assessment
Multi-objective optimization
Sustainable packaging
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Type
journal article