Alternative Packaging Insulation Material Solutions for a Meal Kit Subscription Box Industry Leader

Abstract: This thesis serves as participatory action research with a case study to investigate and test packaging solutions for last mile delivery of food sold online, specifically via the meal kit subscription box industry. The study is done within the context of the case study subject’s product, production, and logistics’ requirements. Identified materials and packaging systems applicable to the immediate needs of the case study subject were tested and compared via a practical quantitative method to determine the thermal barrier effectiveness and heat penetration rate. The results in conjunction with the temperature profile of the logistics network allowed for the estimation of total required phase change material to ensure the food products are shipped within mandated temperatures. The heat penetration performance of the materials was in accordance with expected performance as predicted from the literature. A variety of alternative materials are able to provide sufficient insulating properties on par with standard packaging materials for transporting food items.