Summer Internship at Lorax EPI: EPR and Life Cycle Analyses
by Silvana Cabrera at 14:36 in Circular Economy, Packaging, Environmental
As my time at Lorax EPI wraps up, I've been reflecting on what a meaningful and amazing summer it has been. I feel incredibly grateful to have spent the past few months alongside such a dedicated and inspiring group of people.
This internship gave me firsthand exposure to the world of environmental policy and research, with a focus on regulations around packaging design, the circular economy, and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). In addition to this, I concluded the program by presenting my final project which focused ona streamlined Life Cycle Analysis performed in PIQET 5.0. The Packaging Impact Quick Evaluation Tool (PIQET) allowed me to learn how to analyze packaging, and combined with Lorax EPI insights this was very interesting!
EPR is Growing!
EPR makes producers responsible for the entire lifecycle of their products, particularly end-of-life disposal or recycling. I had the chance to look at countries like Argentina, Peru, Mexico and Brazil, among many others from the Latin American region. While doing this, I realized that although EPR frameworks are emerging, most of them are still in early stages compared to Europe or North America.
Some countries like Mexico, manage it differently by allowing each state to develop its own waste management plan if it aligns with national norms. However, this approach can be a double-edged sword since it can be positive for local adaptation but challenging for companies trying to keep up with so many different requirements.
That is why companies operating in the sector should plan for the future!
PIQET 5.0 analysis
PIQET 5.0 is a streamlined LCI-based tool intended for comparative analysis during the design phase. Its main goal is to deliver data-driven insights into sustainable packaging decisions. Some of the unexpected findings from my project were:
Not every ‘best choice' stays the best
What was once thought to be the most sustainable packaging choice does not always hold up when you look closely. This is even more the case as LCA methodologies have evolved and improved over time, due to a cleaner energy grid and the shift to natural gas.
A huge thank you to the entire Lorax EPI team for their support and guidance, especially to those who took the time to mentor and encourage me throughout this experience! Although I worked remotely, the team immediately welcomed me, helping me understand their workflows, particularly in the consulting and research departments.
I joined weekly research meetings, where we shared our latest findings, as well as consulting meetings that gave me insight into the types of projects Lorax EPI consultants take on, their successes, and their challenges. It was inspiring to see such a passionate group dedicated to delivering meaningful and insightful results to their clients. I also had the chance to participate in a few client-facing discussions and even conduct some research on the challenges of textile disposal.
Overall, this was an enriching and eye-opening experience, and I'll carry this knowledge forward, sharing it with my peers on campus when the fall semester begins. I guess you could say I've been bitten by the packaging sustainability bug!
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