Repurposing Humanitarian Packaging Waste: A Framework for Material Transformation and Value Creation

This study aims to systematically investigate packaging waste repurposing in humanitarian logistics. It aims to bridge the theory–practice gap by providing a consolidated evidence-based analysis of how packaging is repurposed, the driving motivations, and the design characteristics that enable such transformations. A systematic review and thematic analysis of 34 documents from well-known international relief organizations was conducted. The documents were thoroughly reviewed, and codes were extracted and grouped into themes. The findings reveal that packaging repurposing is a widespread practice driven by three interconnected streams: (1) designer-led (top-down) initiatives rooted in Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) policies and design innovation, (2) user-led (bottom-up) initiatives that are induced by the survival and livelihood of affected communities, and (3) hybrid initiatives that involve the participation of the NGOs and affected people. Moreover, repurposing is highly dependent on specific design enablers, such as structural and material properties, to facilitate it. Lastly, a hierarchy of material transformation is proposed, ranging from low-energy mechanical adaptations to high-energy physio-chemical processes. This paper provides a novel integrated framework that links material, drivers, and design enablers for packaging repurposing in humanitarian logistics. It proposes a transformation spectrum to guide repurposing strategies based on resource and tool availability. This study consolidates fragmented knowledge across different sources and offers practical insights into the applicability of repurposing in various domains such as procurement, packaging design, and logistics planning.