The social impacts of the bio-based food packaging supply chain in São Paulo State

• Grant number: 20/04239-1
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctorate
• Effective date (Start): June 01, 2020
• Effective date (End): February 28, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Interdisciplinary Subjects
• Cooperation agreement: Trans-Atlantic Platform for the Social Sciences and Humanities
• Principal researcher: Sandra Andrea Cruz
• Grantee: Lais Roncalho de Lima
• Home Institution: Centro de Ciências Exatas e de Tecnologia (CCET). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 19/02576-3 - New frontiers in social innovation research: social innovation management for bioplastics, AP.R

Abstract

Sustainable Development Goals until 2030 call governments, international organizations, the business sector and other non-state actors to contribute to changing unsustainable production and consumption patterns. In Brazil, the National Policy of Solid Waste encourages the use of less aggressive materials to the environment. In an industrial scenario that increasingly uses raw materials from renewable sources, bioplastic has increased its presence in the plastic industries, emerging as a business opportunity. Its components, derived from agricultural residues such as sugarcane, soybean, corn, rice starch, among other plant products, provide a wide application versatility, which helps to maintain industrial production efficiency. Although the global biodegradable plastics market accounts for less than 1% of the overall plastics market, it is expected to grow at a fast pace over the next years. In Brazil, bioplastics are already produced on an industrial scale and is gaining market space. However, while bio-based packaging may be seen as a "disruptive innovation", there is a lack of studies exploring the social and environmental implications of this product. For example, bioplastic packaging is hard to distinguish from its plastic counterpart, resulting in contamination and waste management issues at a municipal level. To address this issue, this research will focus on the social impacts of bioplastic food packaging across the supply chain, especially as it relates to waste infrastructure, informal waste collectors (waste pickers), plastic recycling companies, food producers, and policy makers. As a methodology, this research will use the Social Innovation Lab tools. A social innovation lab strategically brings together (in a workshop format) a variety of stakeholders to develop a common understanding of a problem, the stakeholders then work together on innovative solutions through iterations of information collection, analysis, creative engagement, and prototype development. The workshops, through the Social Innovation Lab, allow to build new social capital, generate innovative ideas, share knowledge and integrate interdisciplinary teams at the same time and space. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

LIMA, LAIS R.; GUTIERREZ, RAFAELA F.; CRUZ, SANDRA A.. Challenges in the context of single-use plastics and bioplastics in Brazil: A legislative review. WASTE MANAGEMENT & RESEARCH, NOV 2021. (19/02576-3, 20/04239-1)