This paper discusses application of Carbon Footprint (CF) for quantification of the 100-year Global Warming Po-
tential (GWP100) associated with the life cycle of polylactic acid (PLA) trays for packaging of fresh foods. A com-
parison with polystyrene (PS)-based trays was done considering two different transport system scenarios for
PLA-granule supply to the tray production firm: a transoceanic freight vessel and an intercontinental freight air-
craft. Doing so enabled estimation of the influence of the transportation phase on the GHG-emission rate associ-
ated with the PLA-trays' life cycle. From the assessment, the GWP100 resulted to be mainly due to PLA-granulate
production and to its transportation to the tray manufacturing facility. Also, the study documented that, depend-
ing upon the transport system considered, the CF associated with the life cycle of the PLA trays can worsen so
much that the latter are no longer GHG-emission saving as they are expected to be compared to the PS ones.
Therefore, based upon the findings of the study, it was possible for the authors to understand the importance
and the need of accounting for the transport-related issues in the design of PLA-based products, thus preserving
their environmental soundness compared to traditional petroleum-based products.
In this context, the study could be used as the base to reconsider the merits of PLA usage for product manufactur-
ing, especially when high distances are implied, as in this analysed case. So, the authors believe that new research