Packaging for food products has impacts on the environment. In particular, single-use packaging have been criticized for the environmental and social impact created along recycling supply-chains in Asia. As a result, reusable packaging for food products started to reappear in Europe. This paper evaluates the environmental impacts of reusable packaging for Unwrapped’s business model using the organisational lifecycle assessment framework. The overall impacts of the organisation and hotspots of reusable packa ging are identified and compared with a reference retail activity using single-use packaging. The upstream processes of production of food products resulted in being the most significant impacts. However, reusable packaging performed worse and better than single-use packaging depending on the number of uses. The identified improvements for reusable packaging materials are proposed by increasing the number of uses. Changes in the upstream mode of transportation are other adopted improvement options for Unwra pped’s business model. The organisational lifecycle assessment framework highlighted issues in the current supply chain system that affect the niche business model in achieving the positive environmental benefits of reusable packaging. However, the reusable packaging business model shows promising aspects in a move towards sustainable businesses. / Matförpackningar påverkar miljön. Särskilt blev engångsförpackningar kritiserad för dessa miljö och sociala påverkan i återvinningsbranschen i Asien. och möjligheter. Återanvändbara förpackningar reintroducerades till marknaden i Europa. Den här avhandlingen kommer att granska och diskutera användning av återvinningsbara förpackningar i Unwrappeds affärsmodell med hjälp av organisationens livscykelanalys. Unwrappeds miljöpåverkan fastställs och jämförs med liknande affärsmodeller för engångsförpackning. Matproduktion innan förpackningen har den mest betydande påverkan. Återvinningsbara förpackningar visade sig vara bättre eller sämre beroende på antal gånger dem används. De fastställda förbättringarna för återanvändbara förpackningsmaterial är att återanvända dem så många gånger som möjligt. Förändringar i transportering är en annan förbättringsalternativ för Unwrappeds affärsmodell. Ramen för organisationens livscykelanalys påpekade problemen i nuvarande försörjningskedjans system som påverkar nischverksamhet för att uppnå miljövänligare återvinnin gsbara förpackningar. Dock, återvinningsbara förpackningars affärsmodeller visar lovande perspektiv på steg mot hållbara affären.

A utilização de pastagens como base da alimentação de bovinos de leite ou corte é umas das formas de reduzir os custos de produção e tornar a atividade mais competitiva. Para obter a máxima produtividade de forragem é indispensável dispor de condições ideais à fotossíntese, tais como boa disponibilidade de luz, nutrientes e água. Uma das opções para aumentar a produtividade e sustentabilidade das pastagens é um manejo adequado da irrigação e da adubação nitrogenada. Dois experimentos foram conduzidos em ambiente protegido, com plantas em vasos de 8,5 litros, na área experimental do Departamento de Engenharia de Biossistemas da Escola Superior de Agricultura \"Luiz de Queiroz\" (ESALQ/USP). No primeiro experimento, foi avaliado o efeito de cinco níveis de depleção de água no solo (P1 = 0 - 0,05; P2 = 0,20; P3 = 0,40; P4 = 0,60; P5 = 0,80), respectivamente, 95%-100% (testemunha), 80%, 60%, 40% e 20% da água disponível no solo no momento das irrigações. No segundo experimento, foram testados cinco momentos de aplicação da ureia em relação ao momento do corte da parte aérea: (a) no dia do corte; (b) 3 dias após; (c) 6 dias após; (d) 9 dias após; (e) 12 dias após o corte; e um tratamento-controle, sem aplicação de ureia. Ambos os experimentos foram conduzidos em delineamento de blocos casualizados, com quatro repetições para três períodos de crescimento (cortes). Foram avaliados: massa seca da parte aérea (MSPA), massa seca de raízes (MSR), relação parte aérea/ raiz (PA/R), relação colmo + bainha/lâmina (CB/L), teor de nitrogênio na parte aérea, proteína bruta (PB), eficiência do uso do nitrogênio (EUN), produtividade água (PDA), área foliar (AF) e perfilhamento. Não foi encontrada diferença significativa dos tratamentos de depleção para as variáveis estudadas, com exceção da produção de MSR e PDA, indicando que para o período em que o experimento foi realizado (inverno), fatores de depleção mais altos podem ser utilizados sem que haja comprometimento da quantidade e da qualidade da forragem produzida. O momento de aplicação de ureia não influenciou a produção de MSR, a relação CB/L e a relação PA/R; no entanto, foi observado que o momento da adubação exerceu um efeito significativo sobre a produção nos cortes de estabelecimento, gerando um efeito na quantidade e na qualidade da forrageira. / The use of pasture as the base for feeding dairy or beef cattle is one of the ways to reduce production costs and to turn more competitive these activities. In order to achieve the maximum forage productivity, it is essential to have ideal conditions for photosynthesis, such as good availability of light, nutrients and water. One option to increase the productivity and sustainability of pasture is a proper management of irrigation and nitrogen fertilization. Two experiments were carried out in a greenhouse environment, with plants in pots of 8.5 liters in the experimental area of the Department of Biosystems Engineering, at the \'Luiz de Queiroz\' College of Agriculture (ESALQ/USP). In the first experiment, it was tested the effect of five levels of soil water depletion (P1 = 0 - 0.05, P2 = 0.20, P3 = 0.40, P4 = 0.60, P5 = 0.80), respectively corresponding to 95%-100% (control), 80%, 60%, 40% and 20% of the soil water availability at the moment of irrigations. In the second experiment, it was evaluated the moment of urea application in relation to the moment of the aerial part cut: (a) on the day of cutting; (b) 3 days; (c) 6 days; (d) 9 days; and (e) 12 days after the cut; and a control treatment, without urea application. Both the experiments were carried out under a statistical design of randomized blocks, with four replications for three periods of growth (cut intervals). The parameters evaluated at the experiment were: dry matter weight of the aerial part (MSPA), dry matter weight of roots (MSR), aerial part/root ratio (PA/R), stem + heath/blade ratio (CB/L), plant nitrogen content, crude protein content (PB), nitrogen use efficiency (EUN), water productivity (PDA), leaf area (AF) and plant tillering. No significant differences for the studied variables were found for the depletion treatments, except for the MSR and PDA, indicating that, during the experiment period (winter), higher depletion factors can be used without compromising the forage production and quality. The moment of urea application did not affect the MSR and the relations CB/L and PA/R, however, it was observed that the moment of urea application had a significant effect on the MSPA on the establishment cuts, generating an effect on the amount and quality of the forage crop.

A utilização de pastagens como base da alimentação de bovinos de leite ou corte é umas das formas de reduzir os custos de produção e tornar a atividade mais competitiva. Para obter a máxima produtividade de forragem é indispensável dispor de condições ideais à fotossíntese, tais como boa disponibilidade de luz, nutrientes e água. Uma das opções para aumentar a produtividade e sustentabilidade das pastagens é um manejo adequado da irrigação e da adubação nitrogenada. Dois experimentos foram conduzidos em ambiente protegido, com plantas em vasos de 8,5 litros, na área experimental do Departamento de Engenharia de Biossistemas da Escola Superior de Agricultura \"Luiz de Queiroz\" (ESALQ/USP). No primeiro experimento, foi avaliado o efeito de cinco níveis de depleção de água no solo (P1 = 0 - 0,05; P2 = 0,20; P3 = 0,40; P4 = 0,60; P5 = 0,80), respectivamente, 95%-100% (testemunha), 80%, 60%, 40% e 20% da água disponível no solo no momento das irrigações. No segundo experimento, foram testados cinco momentos de aplicação da ureia em relação ao momento do corte da parte aérea: (a) no dia do corte; (b) 3 dias após; (c) 6 dias após; (d) 9 dias após; (e) 12 dias após o corte; e um tratamento-controle, sem aplicação de ureia. Ambos os experimentos foram conduzidos em delineamento de blocos casualizados, com quatro repetições para três períodos de crescimento (cortes). Foram avaliados: massa seca da parte aérea (MSPA), massa seca de raízes (MSR), relação parte aérea/ raiz (PA/R), relação colmo + bainha/lâmina (CB/L), teor de nitrogênio na parte aérea, proteína bruta (PB), eficiência do uso do nitrogênio (EUN), produtividade água (PDA), área foliar (AF) e perfilhamento. Não foi encontrada diferença significativa dos tratamentos de depleção para as variáveis estudadas, com exceção da produção de MSR e PDA, indicando que para o período em que o experimento foi realizado (inverno), fatores de depleção mais altos podem ser utilizados sem que haja comprometimento da quantidade e da qualidade da forragem produzida. O momento de aplicação de ureia não influenciou a produção de MSR, a relação CB/L e a relação PA/R; no entanto, foi observado que o momento da adubação exerceu um efeito significativo sobre a produção nos cortes de estabelecimento, gerando um efeito na quantidade e na qualidade da forrageira. / The use of pasture as the base for feeding dairy or beef cattle is one of the ways to reduce production costs and to turn more competitive these activities. In order to achieve the maximum forage productivity, it is essential to have ideal conditions for photosynthesis, such as good availability of light, nutrients and water. One option to increase the productivity and sustainability of pasture is a proper management of irrigation and nitrogen fertilization. Two experiments were carried out in a greenhouse environment, with plants in pots of 8.5 liters in the experimental area of the Department of Biosystems Engineering, at the \'Luiz de Queiroz\' College of Agriculture (ESALQ/USP). In the first experiment, it was tested the effect of five levels of soil water depletion (P1 = 0 - 0.05, P2 = 0.20, P3 = 0.40, P4 = 0.60, P5 = 0.80), respectively corresponding to 95%-100% (control), 80%, 60%, 40% and 20% of the soil water availability at the moment of irrigations. In the second experiment, it was evaluated the moment of urea application in relation to the moment of the aerial part cut: (a) on the day of cutting; (b) 3 days; (c) 6 days; (d) 9 days; and (e) 12 days after the cut; and a control treatment, without urea application. Both the experiments were carried out under a statistical design of randomized blocks, with four replications for three periods of growth (cut intervals). The parameters evaluated at the experiment were: dry matter weight of the aerial part (MSPA), dry matter weight of roots (MSR), aerial part/root ratio (PA/R), stem + heath/blade ratio (CB/L), plant nitrogen content, crude protein content (PB), nitrogen use efficiency (EUN), water productivity (PDA), leaf area (AF) and plant tillering. No significant differences for the studied variables were found for the depletion treatments, except for the MSR and PDA, indicating that, during the experiment period (winter), higher depletion factors can be used without compromising the forage production and quality. The moment of urea application did not affect the MSR and the relations CB/L and PA/R, however, it was observed that the moment of urea application had a significant effect on the MSPA on the establishment cuts, generating an effect on the amount and quality of the forage crop.

Understanding the spatial and temporal dynamics of soil water and crop water stress within a field is critical for effective Variable Rate Irrigation (VRI) management. Proper VRI can result in improved protection of the crop from early onset of crop water stress while minimizing runoff and drainage losses. The objectives of this study are (1) to examine zone delineation for informing irrigation recommendations from volumetric water content (VWC) and field capacity (FC) to grow similar or greater wheat yields with less water, (2) evaluate the ability to model soil and crop water dynamics within a season and within a field of irrigated winter wheat, and evaluate the sensitivity of crop water stress, evapotranspiration and soil water depletion outputs within a water balance model with Penman-Monteith evapotranspiration (ET) in response to adjusted soil properties, spring volumetric water content (VWC), and crop coefficient model input values. Five irrigation zones were delineated from two years of historical yield and evapotranspiration (ET) data. Soil sensors were placed at multiple depths within each zone to give real time data of the VWC values within each soil profile. Soil samples were taken within a 22 ha field of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum ‘UI Magic’) near Grace, Idaho, USA multiple times during a growing season to describe the spatial variation of VWC throughout the field, and to assist in modeling soil water dynamics and crop water stress through energy balance and water balance equations. Spatial variation of VWC was observed throughout the field, and on a smaller scale within each zone, suggesting the benefit of breaking portions of the field into zones for irrigation management purposes. Irrigation events were triggered when soil sensors detected low values of VWC, with each zone receiving unique rates intended to refill to zone specific FC. Cumulative irrigation rates varied among zones and the VRI approach saved water when compared to an estimated uniform Grower Standard Practice (GSP) irrigation approach. This method of zone management with soil sampling and sensors approximately represented the VWC within each zone and proved beneficial with effective reduction of irrigation rates in every zone compared to an estimated GSP. As such, there was a delay in the premature onset of crop water stress throughout some areas of the field. Variability in soil properties and spring soil moisture were key in giving accurate values to the model in order to make proper VRI management decisions. When assessing the model sensitivity, changing the inputs such as FC, wilting point (WP), total available water (TAW), spring VWC and crop coefficient (Kc) by -4 to +4 standard deviations away from their spatially average values, impacted the outputs of the model, with Kc having a large impact all three of the outputs. Further work is needed to improve the accuracy of representing VWC throughout a field, thus improving VRI management, and there is potential benefit in using a variable crop coefficient could to more accurate VRI management decisions from a soil water depletion model.

Current mass consumption and production patterns have led to an unsustainable use of natural resources, including freshwater, which is one the most crucial natural resources for people and the planet. Agricultural production systems are alone responsible for 72 percent of all global water withdrawals. Therefore, companies with an agricultural supply chain, such as IKEA, play an important role in minimising the negative impacts on water due to agricultural production. In order to do so, companies need to conduct assessments to become aware of their contribution and thereafter develop water targets and strategies on how to mitigate and minimise the company’s water impacts. Several different guidances, methodologies, and tools aiding companies in how to do this have recently been developed, however there is not yet one common established methodology. Therefore, this research project aimed to test and evaluate a new assessment methodology and tool for IKEA, by conducting a water risk assessment on water availability of the sourcing locations of two of IKEA’s key agricultural raw materials: soy and palm oil, and identifying mitigation possibilities, in order to aid in the company’s further work with achieving a sustainable water management and material sourcing, and developing water targets and strategies. Soy is a prioritised raw material to work with in terms of environmental and social risk, and through the conducted water risk assessment, a high risk for water depletion was identified in many of the company’s most likely sourcing locations. The water risk assessment results for palm oil indicated no significant risk for water depletion in any of the sourcing locations. The high water depletion risk scores of the hotspots were found to most likely be due to several different causes, both climatic conditions and anthropogenic activities, including agriculture. Therefore, it was identified that there are possibilities for a company, such as IKEA, to aid in mitigating the water availability challenge of the hotspots through the company’s agricultural supply chain. For example, a few agricultural management practices for increasing the water use efficiency suitable for the different hotspots could be recommended and incentivised by the company to the local farmers of the hotspot sourcing locations. The WRA methodology used in this research project, following the guidance for setting enterprise water targets by Reig et al. (2021), was assumed suitable for IKEA to use and incorporate into a more comprehensive environmental assessment methodology for agricultural raw materials in order to develop water targets and strategies. The Aqueduct Food tool was assumed to be a robust tool for water risk assessment, and can be a suitable tool for IKEA to use to quickly gain a high-level picture of a material, location or water risk of specific interest. The water risk assessment results will mainly be useful in the future, when more comprehensive environmental assessments of agricultural raw materials have been conducted, and the water use has been assessed to a greater extent. Future research is needed to be conducted in order to confirm the results and recommendations of this research project, as well as to further complement the results for the needs of IKEA. This future research includes conducting field studies of the identified hotspots and the operations of the local farms, and conducting an equivalent water risk assessment of the two materials and sourcing locations on the water quality. / Nuvarande masskonsumtion och produktionsmönster har lett till en ohållbar användning av naturresurser, inklusive sötvatten, som är en av de mest avgörande naturresurserna för människor och planeten. Jordbruk står ensam för 72 procent av alla globala vattenuttag. Därför har företag med en jordbruksförsörjningskedja, som IKEA, en viktig roll i att hjälpa till att minska de negativa effekterna på vatten från jordbruk. För att kunna göra det behöver företag utföra bedömningar för att bli medvetna om sin vattenpåverkan och därefter utveckla vattenmål och strategier för hur de kan minimera den påverkan. Det har nyligen utvecklats flera olika vägledningar, metodiker och verktyg som hjälper företag att göra detta, men det finns ännu inte en gemensam etablerad metodik. Därför hade detta forskningsprojekt som syfte att testa och utvärdera en ny bedömningsmetodik och ett nytt verktyg för IKEA, genom att genomföra en riskbedömning av vattentillgången för produktionsplatserna för två av IKEAs viktigaste jordbruksråmaterial: soja och palmolja, och genom en litteraturstudie identifiera möjligheter att minska vattenpåverkan, för att bidra till företagets fortsatta arbete med att uppnå en hållbar vattenanvändning och materialförsörjning i jordbruksförsörjningskedjan och att utveckla vattenmål och strategier. Soja är ett prioriterat råmaterial att arbeta med gällande miljömässiga och sociala risker, och genom den genomförda bedömningen av vattenrisker identifierades en hög risk för vattenbrist på många av de produktionsplatser som företaget mest troligen köper in ifrån. Riskbedömningsresultaten för palmolja indikerade ingen signifikant risk för vattenbrist på någon av de produktionsplatser som företaget troligen köper in ifrån. Den höga risken för vattenbrist i de identifierade hotspotsen visade sig troligen bero på flera olika orsaker, både klimatförhållanden och antropogena aktiviteter, inklusive jordbruk. Därför identifierades det att det finns möjligheter för ett företag, som IKEA, att kunna hjälpa till att mildra vattentillgänglighetsutmaningen i hotspotsen genom företagets jordbruksförsörjningskedja. Till exempel kan ett par olika jordbruksförvaltningsmetoder för att öka vattenanvändningseffektiviteten som är lämpliga för de olika hotspotsen rekommenderas och uppmuntras av företaget till de lokala bönderna. Den WRA-metodik som används i detta forskningsprojekt, som följde vägledningen för att sätta upp vattenmål för företag av Reig et al. (2021), antogs lämplig för IKEA att använda och integrera i en mer omfattande miljöbedömningsmetodik för jordbruksråmaterial för att utveckla vattenmål och strategier. Aqueduct Food-verktyget antogs vara ett robust verktyg för riskbedömning för vatten och kan vara ett lämpligt verktyg för IKEA att använda för att snabbt få en översikt av ett material, en plats eller en vattenrisk av specifikt intresse. Riskbedömningsresultaten kommer främst att vara användbara i framtiden, när mer omfattande miljöbedömningar av jordbruksråvaror har gjorts och vattenanvändningen har bedömts i större utsträckning. Framtida forskning behövs för att bekräfta resultaten och rekommendationerna i detta forskningsprojekt, samt för att ytterligare komplettera resultaten för IKEAs behov. Denna framtida forskning inkluderar att genomföra fältstudier av de identifierade hotspotsen och de lokala sojafarmernas verksamhet, och att genomföra en likvärdig riskbedömning för vatten av de två materialen och produktionsplatserna som utförts i detta forskningsprojekt för vattenkvaliteten.