Eco-design influence on the life cycle assessment of frozen cauliflower gnocchi: a comprehensive cradle-to-grave analysis.

Background: Nowadays, when discussing agri-food products, it is important to talk about sustainable production methods. Environmental sustainability has become a production issue, especially when it comes to the design of a product, service, or process. Using frozen fresh cauliflower gnocchi marketed in different packaging and in different global areas as a case study, we aim to highlight the importance of the impact of product eco-design on the entire life cycle.

Results: The environmental impact of cauliflower gnocchi was assessed based on the life cycle assessment methodology. With the cradle-to-gate approach, the most influential factors are the cultivation, distribution, and packaging phases. Considering the cradle-to-grave approach, home storage has proven to be the most influential factor for a quarter of the entire life cycle of cauliflower gnocchi. The eco-design of packaging has demonstrated how, by analysing only the packaging, it is possible to achieve significant reductions in impact (-47%), but when compared with the entire life cycle these actions have no significant responsibility (approximately 10%). If, however, the field of action is broadened and eco-design solutions are sought to reduce the impact deriving from the conservation phase, the consumer has the ability, through their decisions, to reduce the impact relating to conservation as much as possible or to double the impact of the product life cycle.

Conclusion: Overall, to promote prosperity while protecting the environment, according to Agenda 2030, the agri-food system must analyse the supply chains without neglecting any step involved in the life cycle of the product. The eco-design must go beyond the usual factors analysed and shall include downstream activities to aim for more sustainable products, including consumer behaviours, following the cradle-to-grave approach. © 2023 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.