Constructor University researchers unveil blockchain solution to combat packaging waste

Circular, transparent, and climate-conscious: researchers from Constructor University have developed a groundbreaking digital model that uses blockchain technology to track shoe packaging throughout its entire lifecycle. The study, published in the journal Green Technologies and Sustainability, addresses an urgent environmental challenge by turning packaging waste into a reusable asset and provides a practical blueprint for reducing carbon footprints. The project was co-authored by Constructor University alumni Benedetta Kyalo and Ershed Telfort, postdoctoral researcher Dr. Mohammad Yaser Mofatteh, and Professor Dr. Omid Fatahi Valilai. 

The study introduces a digital framework that assigns a secure "chain-of-custody" record to packaging units. By leveraging blockchain technology, the system creates unalterable digital records that track every stage of a package's life, from initial production and delivery to consumer return and eventual reuse. This innovative infrastructure moves beyond simple monitoring by establishing an interoperable, trustworthy system capable of recording return events, reuse decisions, and real-time carbon data in a structured, auditable manner.  

Importantly, this work addresses the growing industrial need for credible digital infrastructures that support circular economy implementation. By demonstrating how data traceability and lifecycle visibility can support closed-loop supply chains, the paper offers a scalable conceptual foundation for Digital Product Passport (DPP) architectures. This framework is explicitly designed to align with emerging sustainable supply chain acts, extended producer responsibility (EPR) mechanisms, and future circular compliance systems across various manufacturing sectors.  

“I see this research as important because the transition to sustainable industry now depends not only on better materials and policies, but also on trustworthy digital infrastructures that make circularity actionable and verifiable,” Prof. Dr. Omid Fatahi Valilai explained. “What inspired this work was the growing gap between sustainability commitments and actual traceability in packaging and product flows, especially in sectors where consumer participation and reverse logistics are critical to environmental performance.”

Making environmental claims trustworthy

While initially tested on the European footwear sector, the implications of this research extend into global e-commerce practices and everyday consumer life. For shoppers, this system bridges the gap between corporate sustainability reporting and consumer trust. Through accessible technologies like QR codes and smart barcodes, consumers can gain transparency into the lifecycle of their purchases, making environmental claims instantly verifiable. Furthermore, the model incorporates digital incentive mechanisms to motivate more responsible consumer participation in packaging return programs.  

Many companies recognize the need to improve sustainability performance, yet they often struggle to translate environmental objectives and evolving policy expectations into practical operational systems. For the wider retail industry, the framework provides an operational solution to the massive volume of cardboard and plastic waste generated by online shopping. By standardizing how firms manage reverse logistics, the system allows companies to reliably track, clean, and reuse packaging assets multiple times, significantly lowering operational costs and resource consumption. Ultimately, as the European Union prepares to mandate Digital Product Passports and crack down on greenwashing, this research gives businesses a ready-to-use blueprint to achieve regulatory compliance while actively reducing their carbon footprint.  

“Our research explores how digital traceability, trustworthy lifecycle data, and consumer engagement mechanisms can enable measurable circular practices and more informed decision-making,” said Dr. Mohammed Yaser Mofatteh, Postdoctoral Researcher at Constructor University. “We see this work as a step toward bridging sustainability ambitions with actionable business processes and future compliance needs.”

This direction strongly reflects Prof. Valilai’s research on digital transformation, smart Digital Product Passports, supply chain transparency, and emerging technologies. It also aligns closely with his role as Primary Coordinator, Principal Investigator, and Work Package Leader for the Digital Product Passport solution in the EU Horizon SORT4CIRC project, which advances traceable, circular textile systems through AI, multisensor technologies, and DPP-enabled value chain visibility.

About the Publication  

The paper, “Blockchain Enabled Sustainable Packaging for Carbon Footprint Reduction in the European Footwear Industry,” was published in the Green Technologies and Sustainability journal in May 2026. The complete work demonstrates how data traceability can shift sustainability from a mere reporting ambition into a core operational capability.