A molded expanded polystyrene (EPS) cushion is a flexible, closed-cell foam that can be molded to fit any packing application and is effective at absorbing shock. However, the packaging waste of EPS cushions causes pollution to landfills and the environment. Despite being known to cause pollution, this sustainable packaging actually has the potential to reduce this environmental pollution because of its reusability. Therefore, the objective of this study is to identify the accurate design parameter that can be emphasized in producing a sustainable design of EPS cushion packaging. An experimental method of drop testing and design simulation analysis was conducted. The effectiveness of the design parameters was also verified. Based on the results, there are four main elements that necessitate careful consideration: rib positioning, EPS cushion thickness, package layout, and packing size. These parameter findings make a significant contribution to sustainable design, where these elements were integrated directly to reduce and reuse packaging material. Thus, it has been concluded that 48 percent of the development cost of the cushion was decreased, 25 percent of mold modification time was significantly saved, and 27 percent of carbon dioxide (CO2) reduction was identified. The findings also aided in the development of productive packaging design, in which these design elements were beneficial to reduce environmental impact. These findings had a significant impact on the manufacturing industry in terms of the economics and time of the molded expanded polystyrene packaging development.
Waste minimisation and prevention are crucial for the circular economy (CE), sustainable development goals (SDGs) and environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles, focusing on waste elimination and resource efficiency. However, there are significant gaps in implementing effective waste minimisation strategies, mainly due to the lack of standardised waste prevention terminologies and indicators. This article introduces a novel simplified and comprehensive framework for assessing waste prevention and minimisation measures tailored to developing countries. The primary contribution of this study lies in proposing relevant indicators aligned with the SDGs, ESG standards, and CE principles, while addressing data scarcity through proxy indicators to enable effective assessment in resource-limited settings. Six key indicators were proposed: Zero Waste Index, Food Loss Index, Extended producer responsibility, Education and awareness programmes for waste minimisation, Waste prevention and Plastic Bag Reduction Ratio. Eleven countries were selected as case studies to demonstrate the framework's applicability. The findings reveal that while these countries are progressing in enacting legislation and recognising the importance of waste prevention, compliance in practice is lacking, as indicated by poor quantitative results in actual waste reduction and diversion. The framework evaluates the environmental, social and economic implications of waste prevention measures, showing wide variations among countries. Each country faces unique challenges, but strengthening policy frameworks, investing in infrastructure, promoting public awareness and fostering collaboration are key steps towards advancing sustainable waste management practices. The study highlights the necessity for tailored policies addressing specific weaknesses while ensuring economic viability. The integrated framework provides actionable insights and forward-thinking solutions that can be adapted, scaled and replicated to address developing nations' unique challenges.