Graphic Communications Management student awarded prestigious research grant

Breanna Schuler, a graduating student from the Graphic Communications Management (GCM) program (opens in new window) , has been selected as the recipient of the prestigious Undergraduate Student Research Award from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC). This highly competitive award acknowledges Schuler's exceptional work and dedication to the field of sustainable packaging and will fund her future research in the field.

Schuler's research focuses on the critical importance of sustainable packaging and its potential to drive evidence-informed conversations forward. As GCM Professor Dr. Jay Park emphasizes, teaching students about sustainable packaging is paramount, given the growing environmental impact and the need for comprehensive knowledge in designing genuinely sustainable packaging solutions.

"Due to the growing environmental concerns, packaging sustainability is one of the hot topics in the $1 trillion-plus packaging industry," states Park. "The process of designing sustainable packaging is much more complex than just switching its materials from plastics to paper or using a green and brown branding colour palette. We have to understand how the packaging interacts with products, consumers, and manufacturing and distribution infrastructures throughout its entire life cycle in order to create a genuinely sustainable packaging."

The rise of refillable systems: exploring sustainable alternatives in the cosmetic industry

Schuler's previous research that secured her NSERC grant sheds light on her groundbreaking research in packaging engineering. As a Research Assistant at The Creative School’s Sustainable Packaging Research Lab (SuPaR Lab) at TMU, Schuler and her team conducted a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to evaluate the environmental impacts of different dispensing systems used for facial moisturizers. The study aimed to understand how residual moisturizer in the package affects its overall environmental performance.

As a co-author of the peer-reviewed paper, Schuler's initial investigation revealed a significant gap in research on cosmetic packaging, prompting her to propose a follow-up study focused on refillable systems that are beginning to embark into the North American market. With the support of the NSERC grant, she plans to conduct another LCA, this time concentrating on the influence of cosmetic packaging, specifically refillable systems. 

The parent package and refill system, employed by brands like Fenty, Rare Beauty, Glow Recipe, Milk and SKKN, utilizes a lightweight refill pod and a durable dispenser, while the in-store refill system, utilized by L'Occitane and The Body Shop, involves consumers purchasing a reusable package and refilling it at a store from bulk containers.

"The cosmetic market is projected to reach staggering numbers, with billions of units of packaging ending up incinerated or in landfills," explains Schuler. "By assessing and comparing the environmental impacts of refillable systems through an LCA, we can provide stakeholders with evidence-informed decisions to mitigate the industry's environmental burdens."

Nurturing future leaders in sustainable packaging

Schuler's research aims to comprehensively analyze the environmental impact associated with different cosmetic packaging systems, empowering industry stakeholders to make sustainable choices that align with their environmental goals. Her research will shed light on the benefits and challenges of refillable systems, helping brands and consumers understand their role in reducing packaging waste and minimizing the carbon footprint of the cosmetics industry.

As The Creative School continues to nurture future leaders like Schuler and promote innovative research within the GCM program, it stands at the forefront of sustainable packaging education, empowering students to make a positive impact on the world through their research. As Park explains, "Scientific education and research on sustainable packaging are extremely critical to enable our future designers and engineers to have a solid foundation in sustainable packaging systems and design."

Interested in learning more about Schuler's research? Read her paper on sustainable packaging and the NSERC Research Grant. 

The Creative School at Toronto Metropolitan University

The Creative School is a dynamic faculty that is making a difference in new, unexplored ways. Made up of Canada’s top professional schools and transdisciplinary hubs in media, communication, design and cultural industries, The Creative School offers students an unparalleled global experience in the heart of downtown Toronto.