Interlaboratory comparison of bio-based carbon content in disposable packaging samples from Pakistan

Abstract

The development of biodegradable packaging materials from renewable natural resources contributes to sustainable development and helps reduce the environmental impact of waste. Green packaging aims to promote the use of lightweight, recyclable, reusable, biodegradable materials while minimizing the presence of non-ecological components. Radiocarbon ( ¹⁴ C) analysis enables the distinction between fossil-derived and bio-based carbon by measuring ¹⁴ C/ ¹² C isotope ratio.

In this research, disposable packaging materials from Pakistan—including paper cups, paper plates, baking paper, paper boxes and wooden cutlery—were analyzed to determine their bio-based carbon content. Two independent analytical techniques were applied: liquid scintillation counting (LSC) and accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) technique, performed at Gliwice ¹⁴ C and Mass Spectrometry Laboratory (Silesian University of Technology, Poland) and Centro Nacional de Aceleradores (CNA Seville, Spain).

All examined samples exhibited elevated ¹⁴ C concentrations, indicating that modern biomass was used in their production, although not necessarily as the sole raw material. Layer-by-layer AMS analysis revealed that outer waterproof coatings sometimes contained lower ¹⁴ C values, indicating partial use of fossil-based polymers. The interlaboratory comparison demonstrated excellent agreement between LSC and AMS results, as well as between both AMS laboratories, with differences remaining within analytical uncertainty (<3%). These results confirm the reliability, reproducibility, and international comparability of radiocarbon-based bio-carbon measurements for disposable packaging materials.