Qualitative versus quantitative data tools for sustainable package design at Eastman Kodak company

Due to the increased sustainability trends in the packaging industry during the last decade and a push from major retailers, in conjunction with the dire economic climate and internal reorganizations within the company, a need for an official design tool was born; a tool that would simplify, unify and improve the design process within the company. Following the creation of the original tool, the Packaging Development and Optimization Tool (PDOT), a critique arose that suggested an addition of LCA data, creating a more quantitatively based tool. A modified design process followed, the Sustainable Packaging Design Tool (SPDT), which utilized LCA data in addition to all other package specifications to recommend a design option with a minimal impact. This study compares the two different packaging design tools. It assumes that a quantitatively based design tool is superior to a qualitatively based tool. It suggests that a quantitative tool can reduce decision-making time, improve satisfaction with design decision and create consistency of results. The research was based on the study and survey of packaging engineers in the company