In this exclusive interview, Silvia D'Alesio , Food and Packaging Expert at Politecnico di Milano, shares deep insights into the future of circular food systems—from smarter design strategies and policy shifts to the crucial role of education and digitalisation. Silvia calls for a new mindset: one where packaging is no longer the end of the line, but the beginning of a regenerative cycle.
From your perspective as a Food and Packaging Expert, how can the principles of Circular Economy be more effectively integrated into the design of future food packaging systems?
"So, the food scene's been dealing with some big changes in the last decade. One thing is how we used to think about processing food – it was like a straight line, and packaging was just slapped on at the end. But now, packaging's becoming its own thing, almost independent from the mere processing. Maybe it's because packaging is the key to, like, closing the loop and starting operations over again. Even though how we design packaging is changing a lot, it still has to do its main function: protect the food inside. I mean, we're not just talking about any product, it's food. However, I think some important CE principles to be applied to future food packaging design, might include:
1) the Design for Reuse and Recyclability, using materials that can be efficiently processed in existing recycling systems and creating designs that facilitate easy disassembly for recycling purposes;
2) the development and use of innovative, sustainable packaging materials (e.g. biodegradable) that minimize environmental impact are crucial;
3) establishing standardized packaging formats can simplify the recycling process and enhance the efficiency of collection and sorting systems (e.g. minimizing waste through uniformity); and lastly, 4) providing clear instructions to consumers on how to dispose of packaging responsibly can improve advocacy.
Given your academic and industry experience, how do you see the role of universities like Politecnico Milano in driving circular innovation within the food and packaging sectors?
I believe that the dedication of the research community, and especially what's happening within the research teams at the Polytechnic of Milan, is really about everyone working together to build strong collaboration across the supply chain. This means that all the players in the food and packaging world need to team up to make these circular economy ideas actually work. This could involve sharing the best ways to design packaging and handle waste. One particular concept I really like to use to express this necessary team spirit between research and industrial application is ‘ecosystem’, referring to a collaborative network where diverse stakeholders, including academic institutions and businesses, interact to co-create value, innovate, and enhance competitiveness. This ecosystem facilitates the sharing of knowledge, resources, and technologies, enabling universities to contribute research capabilities while companies leverage these insights for developing products and services within the supply chain. And in this collaborative framework, I recognize the value of your job, Emily, to involve various participants, consequentially to foster value creation.
What challenges do you observe when it comes to aligning food tech advancements with truly circular packaging solutions, particularly in highly regulated environments like food safety?
This question is key to understanding the complexity of food packaging. Because if the goal isn't clear in terms of benefiting all stakeholders, then the research loses its meaning, and the market ends up only prioritizing profit. In other words, to align these three key elements such: food tech, circular packaging and food safety, strategies could concern:
1) the develop of a framework that aligns that outline best practices for packaging design, material selection, and waste management that comply with safety standards;
2) the fostering of partnerships among producers, packaging manufacturers, and recyclers to create a closed-loop system, while ensuring that food safety is prioritized throughout the process. These two acknowledge the authority of third parties which aren't involved in market processes and therefore have a duty to certify the safety of production to protect both environment and human health. Only in this sense does the often-overused concept of sustainability truly take shape – it's about the future of the planet and the people who will live here after us. This means, to find the right way to engage with regulatory agencies as well as understand their requirements and to advocate for policies that support the adoption of circular packaging solutions. For examples, the tool of guidelines that ensure both food safety and packaging sustainability.
How do you approach balancing sustainability and functionality when advising on packaging designs for the Circular Economy?
When advising on packaging, my approach centers on carefully balancing sustainability and functionality. This involves integrating technical expertise in packaging materials and processes with a holistic design vision that considers the product itself, its value proposition, and the overall process.
In today's globalized world, where products frequently traverse extensive supply chains through mass distribution, environmental and eco-sustainability concerns are paramount. My aim is to provide all the necessary knowledge for packaging design, tailored to the specific application area and the company's future outlook.
My guidance key areas include: 'Sustainable Packaging', that contextualizes and offers tools and methods for designing truly 'sustainable packaging' through a multidisciplinary lens, drawing from materials science and technology; 'Packaging Communication & Design', focusing on defining and providing tools and methods for designing packaging that aligns with brand identity, fulfils its containment and protection functions, and leverages the communication potential that packaging can and should support; and, 'Packaging Engineering', that addresses the main protective materials used and the design criteria that must be considered to safeguard the product, without neglecting cost, safety, and environmental protection issues. A recent example is about how we could consider expanding the definition of our end-users. A project close to my heart, which I've been developing for the past year, explores how to design cosmetic packaging that truly caters to the evolving needs of European consumers. These are individuals who are increasingly active and still deeply value feeling beautiful, but they also represent an aging demographic with different abilities compared to much younger consumers
You’ve led collaborations that bridge research and the digital food ecosystem— how can digital tools help accelerate the transition to circular food systems?
My work focuses on highlighting the potential that exists in the pairing of sustainability and digitalization. I often find myself having to defend new tools like robotic automation or artificial intelligence because they're seen as threats to companies' bottom lines. This transition does involve risks, but in the long run, I can see the real optimization of product recipes and a reduction in quality control times. This is all without losing the human element, which will always be necessary to create new products and differentiate the market. An example of digitalization in the food supply chain is the use of blockchain technology to improve traceability and transparency. This technology enables real-time data sharing among all participants in the supply chain, enhancing coordination and minimizing food waste through better information flow. Also, incorporating traceability by IoT can ensure that packaging is recycled appropriately, while monitoring the lifecycle of packaging materials and provide data for improving packaging performances. For example, digitalization could mitigate impact of critical indicators on food supply chain by improves coordination, reduces food loss and waste, and enhances control over raw materials and waste flows. Just as 'farm to fork' works for food, 'cradle to cradle' makes perfect sense for packaging.
In your teaching on nutrition and environment, how do you communicate the importance of Circular Economy principles to the next generation of designers and engineers?
Because the circular approach spans various design disciplines, it captivates a diverse group of students, much like my previous emphasis on a holistic design perspective. For instance, I approach the topic of Lifecycle Assessment with a certain fondness when speaking to students and professionals today, as I recall introducing it into my own thesis project during its embryonic phase. However, implementing lifecycle assessments during the design phase of packaging can surely help food packaging systems to be redesigned more closely with CE principles, thereby identifying areas of improvement such less packaging material or reducing food waste. Lastly, related training should cover expertise in relevant software tailored to each business case. Above all, the ability to set up an experimental simulation model is key for testing each phase effectively. This ensures the project's applicability closely mirrors real-world scenarios, making it appealing for its scalability.
Could you share a recent example where scientific direction or research you led had a measurable impact on sustainability or circularity in food packaging?
As a researcher, my involvement within the framework of the ONFOODS project, a significant national initiative for sustainable food and nutrition championed in part by the dedicated efforts of the Politecnico di Milano, centers on the exciting potential of valorising food waste. Being part of this collaborative network, which unites numerous prestigious universities and research centers, allows me to contribute to the development of innovative solutions. Specifically, my work aligns with the project's goals of exploring how to transform what was once considered food waste or byproducts into valuable resources for the food packaging industry, focusing on smart and circular food systems. Another case I could mention regard the project SusPlantIC4.5 about artisanal ice cream sector faces significant challenges, including the need for improved production yield and quality, enhanced consumer health preferences by developing healthier, functional Italian-style ice creams that utilize bioactive ingredients from seasonal plants and vegetable waste. By integrating cutting-edge technologies such as IoT and AI, the project will optimize production processes, reduce waste, and promote a circular economy.
How do marketing and branding intersect with the Circular Economy in your work—especially when it comes to consumer perception and behaviour?
Recently at NABA Milan, I was involved in teaching courses to graphic design and communication students. One tool I particularly emphasized is Sustainability Reporting, highlighting its significant power as a more effective communication method compared to traditional Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) reports. I would explain to students that while CSR often presents data in a more technical or lengthy format, Sustainability Reporting aims for greater clarity and accessibility. It focuses on communicating a company's environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance in a way that resonates with a broader audience, including consumers.
In this context, achieving brand coherence within a sustainability report is akin to creating a well-written and user-friendly brand book for communication consumers. Just as a brand book clearly articulates a brand's values, visual identity, and messaging, a strong sustainability report effectively conveys a company's commitment to sustainability in a consistent and understandable manner, as:
1) clear and consistent language;
2) visual communication (infographics, eco mood board, etc.); storytelling with consumer values and aspirations;
3) be honest in presenting brand values by demonstrating how sustainability efforts are integrated with the overall mission of the brand.
What policy or systemic shifts do you think are most urgently needed to support circular innovation in food packaging at scale?
The ongoing imperative is the diligent work involved in transitioning from a linear to a circular economy, and from mass production to right production. In the context of Circular Economy (CE), packaging is recognized as a valuable product rather than viewing packaging solely as the end of processing or waste. In other words, within CE framework, packaging consists as integral component of the product lifecycle. Moreover, the end-of-life phase includes the design of packaging, promoting practices such as reuse, recycling, and recovery, thereby extending its value and reducing overall waste. Consequently, the transition from a linear to a circular economy not only redefines the role of packaging but also enhances sustainability. In the end, investing in this way is definitely beneficial for market competitiveness, allowing for the sale of quality products without resorting to greenwashing
Finally, as someone who aspires to foster creativity through knowledge, what message would you give to designers and technologists who want to shape a more circular and sustainable future?
I believe that creativity is hope taking shape, envisioning a world we would want to inhabit together. The holistic and circular approach is essentially a rethinking of consumption as a way of being in the world – a message for doing so in a more respectful and less individualistic manner. Despite the pressures of today's society that might push us to focus solely on our own small concerns, we need to redefine the global economy. And the lever of packaging is a winning and strategic one at the European level to remain competitive, not just in terms of sales, but more importantly in terms of ethical values such as the knowledge of science and nature.