KAS Shanghai – Yue Xu – 2025

Summary

Yue Xu used Kmart Group’s available packaging data to construct a dynamic model of packaging performance against the criteria of carbon emissions and transition toward a circular economy model.

Goals

Describe current packaging – By analysing Kmart Group’s existing packaging data, current material usage was described, and impact hotspots were identified. Assess improvement pathways – Evaluate the environmental and economic impact of different strategies. Formulate a roadmap – Provide strategic recommendations on how to balance cost control, carbon emission reductions, and compliance with regulations.

Solutions

Xu proposed solutions for Kmart’s plastic packaging reduction in three key areas:

• Plastic use hotspots within the decorative and stationery departments, where rPET and rPP offer feasible alternatives.
• Textile fibre recycling markets, providing Kmart with landscape insights and potential partners to support circular economy goals.
• Data optimisation to reduce manual workload and Model potential emissions reductions resulting from interventions.

Potential Impact

Addressing plastic pollution has become a global challenge. This project aligns closely with Kmart’s aspirations for data-driven and dynamic approaches to reducing product impact. Modelling showed that adopting more recycled content in packaging could reduce costs and lower carbon emissions. Overall, this project fits into the broader context of global circular economy development and retail industry sustainability transitions.