The article ‘Blockchain enabled sustainable packaging for carbon footprint reduction in the European footwear industry’, published in Green Technologies and Sustainability (2026), by Mohammad Yaser Mofatteh, Benedetta Kyalo, Ershed Telfort and Omid Fatahi Valilai, explores how blockchain technology can improve the sustainability of packaging in the European footwear industry.

Key Takeaways

• Blockchain improves packaging traceability and circularity. The proposed system assigns unique QR codes to packaging and uses blockchain to record each stage of the packaging lifecycle, creating a transparent and verifiable system for tracking reuse and recycling.
• Smart contracts encourage consumers to return packaging. Inspired by Germany’s Pfand deposit return model, the system automates deposits, refunds and rewards, providing financial incentives that increase consumer participation in reusable packaging schemes.
• Simulation results demonstrate measurable environmental benefits. Under balanced incentive conditions, packaging return rates exceeded 60%, with nearly 40% of returned packaging suitable for reuse. The model also achieved carbon savings of approximately 1.9 tonnes of CO₂ per 5,000 units, with savings ranging from around 1.2 to 2.6 tonnes depending on the incentive level.
• Closed-loop packaging systems reduce waste and improve resource efficiency. Returned packaging is reintegrated into production, reducing the need for virgin materials while supporting circular economy objectives and lowering overall environmental impacts.
• The approach supports EU sustainability and regulatory objectives. The proposed framework aligns with Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) principles and broader European circular economy goals by combining digital traceability with sustainable packaging management.
• The model demonstrates the role of digital technologies in industrial sustainability. Beyond packaging management, the study shows how blockchain can help manufacturers monitor carbon performance, strengthen supply-chain transparency and support data-driven sustainability reporting.

The study demonstrates how blockchain, smart contracts and digital traceability can support more circular packaging systems in the footwear industry while delivering measurable environmental benefits. By combining technological innovation with consumer incentives, the proposed approach offers a scalable pathway for reducing packaging waste and carbon emissions, supporting both industrial competitiveness and the transition to a circular economy.

For full details, readers are encouraged to read the entire article of ScienceDirect.