Pooja Ashokan

Abstract

This thesis will evaluate the possibility of eliminating EPS from the cold chain packaging system by replacing it with Vacuum Insulated Panels in Greenbox to create a sustainable and reusable packaging system.

The most widely used packaging materials in the cold chain system have been compared amongst each other for their Design, R value, Cost, Availability and End use. While these are generally the primary concerns in making decisions about packaging, it is also important to consider recyclability and reusability and overall presentation. This paper will briefly examine these issues while looking at some of the more common types of cold chain shipping containers. Expanded Polystyrene is in the vast majority of cold chain packaging systems used for the distribution of Temperature sensitive products. It is also the major contaminant in the landfills. With developing technologies there are solutions to reduce the contamination piled up in the landfill. Hence a comparison study is conducted with a reusable packing system to test if it performs equally well thermally and will also withstand the shock and vibrations from the distribution system.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Packing for shipment--Environmental aspects; Packaging--Environmental aspects; Cold storage; Polystyrene

Publication Date

2011

Document Type

Thesis

Student Type

Graduate

Degree Name

Packaging Science(MS)

Department, Program, or Center

Packaging Science (CAST)

Advisor

Daniel L. Goodwin

Advisor/Committee Member

Changfeng Ge

Advisor/Committee Member

Deanna M. Jacobs

Campus

RIT – Main Campus

Plan Codes

PACK-MS

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