A Goal Programming Approach to Reduce Plastic Waste for Sustainable Packaging Design

Abstract

Plastic pollution is a serious concern throughout the world. As plastic is mouldable, durable, light and inexpensive so it can be used in multiple application where packaging is the most significant sector of use. Plastic pollution can be mitigated via incorporating innovative technologies in packaging design. Planning of designs in packaging industry also need to include conflicting goals of various criteria like energy consumption, carbon emission and profit. In this paper, a goal programming model is proposed for solving multi-criteria problem in which each criterion is incorporated on priority basis to achieve targeted goals. Targeting of plastic waste is prime objective and remaining targeted goals are attained on priority basis. Several technologies are considered for producing Polyethylene Terephthalate bottles for storing soft drink. The deviation variables calculated by solving the model yield the requirement of best innovative technologies for achieving goals. These deviation variables act as a facilitator to achieve the goals.