Durable and sustainable smart tags for identity management and condition monitoring: Case study for reusable packaging and recyclable data carriers

Reusable packaging has been used as a case study for development of durable and sustainable smart tags that can provide both identity management and potentially also condition monitoring capabilities. Four different smart tag technologies have been investigated, including laser engraved 2D bar codes, printed 2D bar codes with combined temperature indicator, printed NFC (Near‐Field Communication) tags and RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tags as labels. All technologies showed excellent durability towards repeated washing and heating when protective layers were used. SWOT analysis was also carried out to weight the advantages and disadvantages of the different technologies summarizing the choice of the technology per use and end‐of‐life requirements. Sustainability of the investigated technologies is discussed from the smart tag recyclability perspective and the challenges that can be seen related to the use of electronic functionalities and/or plastic‐based protective layers. Visual and electronic data carrier technologies combining identification and monitoring functions have been tested for their durability to tolerate lifecycle conditions of reusable packaging. The tags can be used to access traceability and other relevant information by reading them with a mobile phone. Recyclability potential of the different tagging technologies and potential to use the tags for digital product passports have been discussed.