Adoption of sustainable agri-food plastic packaging: a look at the dynamics of organic and sustainable production of the Circular Economy

Abstract

Brazil is one of the main countries that generate plastic waste in the world in the face of a growing global concern with environmental impact. Allied with this, the commercialization of organic products in retail has been increasing and demands the use of packaging that protects the product; however, there is an increase in the generation of these residues, in disagreement with the practices of organic production. The aim of this study is to analyze the process of adopting sustainable plastic packaging from the perception of consumers and managers of the agri-food sector in the face of the Circular Economy. The research method used was applied, descriptive, qualiquantitative research, whose technical procedure was the case study, with data collection through questionnaires and interviews, resulting in 499 valid questionnaires and 8 interviews. There was a certain resistance on the part of consumers to the use of sustainable plastic packaging, due to the low popularity of plastic and, consequently, a greater popularization of biodegradable packaging. In this context, retail adapts to consumer demand and seeks to use sustainable packaging such as paper and cardboard, directly impacting the reality of producers and recycling cooperatives. There is a growing creation of initiatives around the world in search of reducing the generation of solid urban waste, such as the popularization of the Circular Economy that focuses on the elimination of waste and circularity of materials; in addition, it is necessary the accountability for all chain actors for this generated waste and dissemination of knowledge of existing alternatives for the population.

Keywords
sustainable packaging; social responsibility; organic production; Circular Economy