CPT Packaging Sustainability & Environmental Impact 2

Question 1

Which metric is used in Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to quantify the total greenhouse gas emissions of a packaging material expressed in CO₂ equivalents?

Accepted Answer

Global Warming Potential (GWP)

Answer

Global Warming Potential (GWP) aggregates all greenhouse gas emissions into a single CO₂-equivalent score within LCA.

Question 2

A brand switching from virgin PET bottles to 50% recycled PET (rPET) content primarily achieves which sustainability benefit?

Accepted Answer

Reduced demand for petroleum-based feedstocks

Answer

Incorporating rPET displaces virgin petroleum-derived resin, lowering fossil resource consumption and associated emissions.

Question 3

Under the US EPA's waste management hierarchy, which approach is ranked HIGHEST in preference?

Accepted Answer

Source reduction

Answer

Source reduction (preventing waste generation) is the most preferred tier in the EPA hierarchy because it avoids impacts entirely.

Question 4

Which certification specifically verifies that packaging is compostable in an industrial composting facility within 180 days?

Accepted Answer

ASTM D6400 / BPI Certification

Answer

ASTM D6400 sets industrial compostability standards and BPI certifies products meeting those criteria.

Question 5

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) programs shift the cost of post-consumer packaging management from:

Accepted Answer

Taxpayers and municipalities to brand owners and producers

Answer

EPR policies make producers financially responsible for end-of-life packaging management, reducing the burden on public systems.

(CPT) Certified Packaging Technologist Practice Test

(CPT) Certified Packaging Technologist Practice Test

CPT Packaging Sustainability & Environmental Impact 2