The European Paper Packaging Alliance has engaged in a public database program by publishing a Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) related to the production of three specific paper grades and their converting into nine representative single-use paper tableware utilised in Quick Service Restaurants (QSRs).
EPPA Public Database Program
This report represents the January 2025 updated version of the Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) study related to the production of three specific paper grades and their converting into single-use paper tableware utilised in Quick Service Restaurants (QSRs).
A Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) study involves the collection and analysis of data for quantities of inputs and outputs of a product system. An LCI quantifies the raw materials and energy flows (inputs) into a product system, as well as the environmental releases (outputs) associated with that system.
The inventories analysed in this report, focused on material production and converting phases only, includes all stages of such processes, such as raw material extraction, transport of raw materials, materials processing, transport of intermediate materials, manufacture, and disposal or recycling of waste generated in operations. The purpose is to provide primary LCI data exploitable for the development of LCA studies, where these data can be used to evaluate potential environmental impacts and explore improvement opportunities.
The LCI update was developed by technical consultancy company Ramboll. To ensure the data is robust, a senior LCA expert from the Research Institutes of Sweden (RISE) conducted quality assurance on the study. Moreover, a senior LCA practitioner at ifeu – Institut für Energie- und Umweltforschung Heidelberg gGmbH (Germany) provided an independent third-party review.
This LCI report offers a detailed examination of the following paper grades and their corresponding representative tableware products:
➡️ Single use paper cup, lid and container production, for food packaging, from virgin fiber: Production and conversion into hot and cold drink cups, lids, ice cream cups, and salad boxes.
➡️ Single use paper container production, for food packaging, from partially recycled fiber: Production and conversion into clamshells and fry boxes.
➡️ Single use paper wrap production, for food packaging, from virgin fiber: Production and conversion into burger wraps and fry bags.