Sustainable Food Packaging Design for Waste Reduction: A Systematic Review of Global and Iranian Perspectives

The global challenge of food waste and loss presents a critical threat to environmental sustainability, economic stability, and food security. As a pivotal element at the nexus of food preservation, consumer behavior, and waste generation, packaging design holds significant potential for mitigating this issue. This systematic review synthesizes existing scientific literature to critically examine the role of sustainable food packaging design as a strategy for waste reduction, integrating both global and specific Iranian perspectives. The review adopts a systematic methodology, drawing on databases such as Scopus and Web of Science, to identify and analyze relevant peer-reviewed studies published between ۲۰۱۶ and ۲۰۲۳. The analysis is structured around key themes: the theoretical foundations of packaging's functions, the drivers of food waste across the supply chain, innovative packaging materials and technologies (e.g., active, intelligent, and bio-based packaging), and the influence of consumer behavior and policy frameworks. The findings reveal that while advanced packaging solutions can effectively extend shelf-life and improve product information, their success is contingent upon a holistic systems approach. This approach must consider technical feasibility, economic viability, consumer acceptance, and supportive regulatory instruments. From an Iranian perspective, the review identifies a significant research gap. Despite facing severe environmental and economic pressures from food waste, studies on tailored packaging solutions within Iran's specific supply chain and socio-cultural context are scarce. The review concludes that future strategies must be multi-faceted, promoting technological innovation alongside consumer education, supply chain optimization, and policies that incentivize sustainable design. It calls for targeted research in developing regions like Iran to develop context-appropriate packaging systems that contribute to national and global sustainability goals.

کلیدواژه ها:

Sustainable Packaging ، Food Waste Reduction ، Packaging Design