Chapter 3. Packaging sustainability and circularity: A Systemic Design perspective

This book presents the outcomes of the FuturE-Pack research project, developed within the Made in Italy Circolare e Sostenibile (MICS) extended partnership and funded by the Italian National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR). It focuses on the application of smart solutions in packaging design, exploring how this field is transforming into a strategic domain for sustainability and innovation. Bridging design research, industrial practice, and digital technologies, it shows how Advanced Design and Systemic Design approaches can guide transitions towards circular production and responsible consumption. Combining theoretical perspectives with applied experimentation in the Made in Italy ecosystem, it offers models, tools, and case studies illustrating how intelligent and connected packaging can integrate ethical awareness and environmental goals with industrial competitiveness and cultural value.