Update on Packaging Impact Quick Evaluation Tool (PIQET)
What is PIQET?
PIQET is a streamlined life cycle assessment (LCA) tool for environmental impact assessment of packaging systems that is accessed via the internet from the SPA website. It is designed to provide non LCA experts access to environmental impact data for packaging systems and the ability to quickly assess a range of alternative scenarios. Turnaround times are typically 15-30 minutes significantly lower than the time, cost and specialised skills required for comprehensive LCA studies.
The PIQET user interface requires the user to:
- define the components making up the packaging system;
identify the materials and processes used to make the components;
provide information on the supply chain steps required for the packaging to perform its function; and
define the end of life profile of the components.
PIQET generates a range of downloadable reports providing simple through to comprehensive graphs and tables outlining the environmental impact of the packaging system for a range of indicators including global warming (greenhouse gases), water, energy and land use, and solid waste generation.
Reports provide the user with sufficient data to identify which packaging components or life cycle stages are the main contributors to each environmental impact category. PIQET also reports metrics that are useful for benchmarking packaging sustainability eg product to packaging weight ratio and equivalency reports to aid the understanding of packaging environmental impacts in the broader context and to assist in interpretation and communication of the results eg household daily use for water, energy and waste.
For business integration, PIQET has the facility to capture a range of design data and decisions regarding particular projects or scenarios and its unique scenario identification provides traceability for audit purposes. Projects can also be shared by users within the same organisation. PIQET also prompts users to evaluate environmental labelling data used on their packaging and provides the ability to capture and report these decisions.
PIQET versus LCA
PIQET is a comparative tool designed to provide users with quantified feedback with respect to the environmental performance of packaging systems relative to other packaging systems or scenarios. Although possible, interpretation of PIQET results in an absolute sense should only be conducted after seeking technical advice from SPA or for experienced life cycle assessment practitioners.
PIQET’s methodology is based on packaging LCA models developed by the Centre for Design at RMIT University (Melbourne, Australia) using life cycle assessment software package, SimaPro and an extensive range of local and international data sources. SPA is continually investing in the further development of these data sets and life cycle methodologies to expand the application and retain currency of PIQET.
As a streamlined tool, PIQET is commonly used to identify and prioritise investment in full life cycle assessment studies.
PIQET Access
SPA provides access to PIQET via a licence agreement or through PIQET assessment services on a project specific basis.
Access via a licence agreement provides immediate and unlimited access to the licensed users. Each user has a home page where their existing projects are listed and new projects can be initiated and they are issued with a unique Login ID and Password.
Training and technical support is provided under the licence agreement. Licence structures, terms and fees are specific to how PIQET is to be used with fees scaled based on the relevant turnover of the licensee in Australian dollars. Detailed quotations can be provided by directly contacting SPA. Licences can be negotiated on a company, company group, country, region or global basis.
PIQET assessment services are provided by SPA and organisations eligible to provide these services through their licence agreement. Detailed quotations can be provided by directly contacting SPA or one of our eligible PIQET assessment providers.
PIQET History
PIQET was released in Australia in 2008 after development involving major food and beverage companies (Cadbury Schweppes, Lion Nathan, Nestle Australia, MARS Australia and Simplot Australia). RMIT University, Birubi Innovation and Victoria University conceived the PIQET concept and working with these companies and WSP Environmental Online developed the tool. Funding support was also provided by Sustainability Victoria and the Australian government through the departments of the Environment and Water Resources and, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts. PIQET was further developed for global application in 2009 with Nestec Ltd (Nestle’s global technology centre) and funding support from Sustainability Victoria. |
