Packaging sustainability concepts have co-evolved with the increasing incorporation of the principles of sustainable development at various levels within industrial and organizational platforms. Currently, pollution from plastics, packaging-related waste, declining air, soil, and water quality, climate change, and other contemporary challenges are influencing the packaging industry. Barriers such as value chain complexities and negative consumer attitudes due to the economic, social, and environmental demands of sustainable behaviors can discourage companies from the implementation of more sustainable packaging. Hence, packages with improved sustainability may never make their way into the marketplace. However, the next generation of sustainable solutions can be motivated by efforts that fuel a positive consumer attitude towards sustainable packaging. In order to direct efforts, a clear understanding of consumer dynamics in ecological material preferences, willingness to pay, recycling, and factors impacting sustainable behaviors are essential. The objective of this work is to (i) explore the definitions, the impact of sustainable packaging in the value chain, and consumer behavior theories; (ii) review current practices, factors affecting sustainable behaviors, and consumer testing methods; (iii) present three distinct case studies on consumer preferences and value perceptions on bio-based cellulose materials and the impact of on-label claims and pre-evaluation education in consumer preferences; and (iv) to reveal the research gaps and opportunities for consumer research and suggest strategies for stakeholders to communicate packaging sustainability to consumers.

Highlights A scoping review was conducted by analyzing 68 articles to identify available literature and connections among digitalization, circular economy, and agri-food applications. Internet of Things, Cloud Computing, and Big Data were the most common Industry 4.0 themes, whereas Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, and Smart Manufacturing are increasingly adopted within industries. Agri-food industry has unique challenges compared to other industries. Precision agriculture, smart packaging, smart manufacturing, and consumer-level focused solutions are promising. Food industry also faces policy, economic, and social barriers that need to be addressed to digitalize the circular economy. Abstract. Circular Economy (CE) and digitalization are two emerging concepts transforming industries, including the agricultural and food industries. Accordingly, there has been growing research interest in these topics and the potential of digital tools to support the transition toward a CE. The aim of this scoping literature review is to identify the synergies and current state of research on digital tools supporting CE concepts in various industries, with an emphasis on agri-food systems. A total of 68 articles, seven of which focus specifically on the agri-food industry, were reviewed. Current digital tools that can support CE concepts as outlined by the ReSOLVE framework were identified and discussed, along with barriers to implementing digital CE approaches. Results from this review suggest that digital tools such as IoT, Cloud Computing, Advanced Sensing, Digital Twins, Robotics, and AI will play a critical role in enabling CE solutions within agri-food systems. But a holistic approach that addresses policy, economic, and social domains in concert with technological development is needed to achieve a tangible pathway toward the implementation of digital CE solutions. Assessment and adoption of specific digitalization approaches offer numerous opportunities for circular economy transformation within agricultural and food systems. Keywords: Circular economy, Digitalization, Food, Agriculture, Industry 4.0.

Food waste is a critical problem in the U.S. and globally. Most household food waste is landfilled, with just a small proportion composted. House­hold food waste accounts for a substantial amount of the food waste problem, but because it occurs in the privacy of people’s homes, we have a limited understanding of it, hindering our ability to create policies or programs to address the issue. Commu­nity composting programs have the potential to reduce the amount of landfilled food waste and convert it into a valuable resource. One strategy to address this gap is citizen science, whereby the public is trained to collect data and participate in the research cycle. This technique is particularly useful for answering research questions in real-world conditions to which researchers typically do not have access, such as individuals’ daily lives and activities in their homes. The purpose of this study was to gain a baseline understanding of the amount of food waste individual households contribute to a community compost program, the primary rea­sons people generate food waste, the types of packaging households typically discard, and individuals’ knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about food waste and the impact that a community-based compost program has on their lives. Participants in a com­munity-based compost program in Florida have positive attitudes and beliefs about reducing food waste, but they have a less positive perception of the value judgments of influential people in their social circles (i.e., social norms) regarding food waste. Participants have limited confidence that they can reduce their food waste. Community-based compost program participants indicate that the program has increased their awareness of food waste, reduced their waste, and increased their appreciation of community-based circular food sys­tems (CB-CFS), i.e., systems that support commu­nity well-being while minimizing environmental harm and resource depletion. This study highlights the value of a community-based compost program for diverting food waste from individual house­holds, increasing knowledge, and changing resident attitudes and behaviors related to food waste. Our findings suggest that key behavioral variables, such as self-confidence, may support individual ability to reduce food waste, and that participation in an community composting program may bolster self-confidence and increase the likelihood that individuals reduce household food waste. We recommend that stakeholders interested in developing a com­munity composting program conduct feasibility assessments and provide education to program participants.