LCA-measured environmental improvements in Pampers® diapers

Weisbrod, Anne V.; Hoof, Gert Van

doi:10.1007/s11367-011-0343-1

Cited by 35 publications

(29 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…Distribution from the P&G manufacturing plant to the retailers' distribution centers is specific for each region, taking into account the location of the most important customers' distribution centers. The distance data were taken from a baby diapers LCA model [15] and primary mode of transport is via truck.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment of Progressive Product Innovation on Key Environmental Indicators: Pampers® Baby Wipes from 2007–2013

2014

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Abstract:Companies are increasingly conducting life cycle assessments (LCA) of their products to understand potential product impacts on the environment, prioritize areas of innovation to create more sustainable products, and determine valid claims. This case study shows the results of product innovation by comparing an older (2007) and new (2013) version of a common hygiene product in Europe and the U.S. The standard methodology follows the ISO 14040/44 Guidelines for LCA. Results are reported for the impact indicators with high relevance for the product category: primary energy, global warming, particulates, agricultural land occupation, fossil fuel depletion, and solid waste generation. Generally, raw material supply chains for product and packaging contribute most (up to 82%) to the calculated environmental impact indicators. Improvements vs. the 2007 baby wipe range between 4% and 14% in Europe and between 15% and 36% in the U.S. The improvement is driven by a new substrate technology that provides more surface area for cleaning, which results in lower use of resources. This case study illustrates three key environmental drivers behind this innovation: the corporate focus on R&D capability to design for environmentally improved products, the increased interest from retailers and consumers requiring accurate and relevant information on the performance and OPEN ACCESS Sustainability 2014, 6 5130 sustainability of products, and the company's interest in deeper technical understanding of contributions from upstream material and process innovations on a product's environmental profile.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment of Progressive Product Innovation on Key Environmental Indicators: Pampers® Baby Wipes from 2007–2013

2014

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“…SimaPro is commonly used for LCA in companies and beyond [21]. Table 1 shows the secondary LCI data used for screening LCIA.…”

Section: Software Tool and Data Sourcesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparative Screening Life Cycle Impact Assessment of Renewable and Fossil Power Supply for a Radio Base Station Site

Anders¹,

Ab²

2018

Int. J. Green Technol.

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Abstract:The global energy usage driven by Information and Communication Technology (ICT) cloud services is set to soar, with the wireless cloud computing being at the core of the radio technology trend. At the same time the market for renewable energy supply is growing fast. In this context the aim of a new radio base station (RBS) site solution concept (i-Site) is to optimize energy costs, speed of deployment, and site equipment such as the number of photovoltaic (PV) modules. The present study provides the first example of a screening Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA) estimating the future eco-environmental benefits of i-Site for support of an RBS in a South African radio access network. This study uses advanced attributional life cycle assessment (AALCA) showing the effect of changing battery type and diesel fuel markets on the results. Despite high uncertainty and best case scenario, the LCIA confirms the hypothesis that the environmental loadings and potential eco-environmental impacts will decrease when changing from traditional Site (tSite) to i-Site. Avoiding diesel combustion and introducing an electricity efficient air cooling solution for i-Site (loop thermosyphon and DC Fan) explain the results. The AALCA based sensitivity check, including battery and diesel fuel markets, do not change the conclusion that i-Site seemingly is a better solution than t-Site from an eco-environmental point of view.

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“…Respiratory inorganics are air pollutants in the form of tiny particles (PM2.5) that can affect human lungs. These pollutants are released by heavy industries and processes such as combustion, harvesting operations, and road traffic [38]. Al2O3 production indicates more impacts on ionizing radiation, ozone layer depletion and land occupation than NiO production.…”

Section: Life Cycle Assessment Of Nickel Catalyst Productionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Life Cycle Assessment of Biochar versus Metal Catalysts Used in Syngas Cleaning

2015

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Abstract:Biomass gasification has the potential to produce renewable fuels, chemicals and power at large utility scale facilities. In these plants catalysts would likely be used to reform and clean the generated biomass syngas. Traditional catalysts are made from transition metals, while catalysts made from biochar are being studied. A life cycle assessment (LCA) study was performed to analyze the sustainability, via impact assessments, of producing a metal catalyst versus a dedicated biochar catalyst. The LCA results indicate that biochar has a 93% reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and requires 95.7% less energy than the metal catalyst to produce. The study also estimated that biochar production would also have fewer impacts on human health (e.g., carcinogens and respiratory impacts) than the production of a metal catalyst. The possible disadvantage of biochar production in the ecosystem quality is due mostly to its impacts on agricultural land occupation. Sensitivity analysis was carried out to assess environmental impacts of variability in the two production systems. In the metal catalyst manufacture, the extraction and production of nickel (Ni) had significant negative effects on the environmental impacts. For biochar production, low moisture content (MC, 9%) and high yield type (8 tons/acre) switchgrass appeared more sustainable.

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LCA-measured environmental improvements in Pampers® diapers

Cited by 35 publications

References 14 publications

Assessment of Progressive Product Innovation on Key Environmental Indicators: Pampers® Baby Wipes from 2007–2013

Assessment of Progressive Product Innovation on Key Environmental Indicators: Pampers® Baby Wipes from 2007–2013

Comparative Screening Life Cycle Impact Assessment of Renewable and Fossil Power Supply for a Radio Base Station Site

Life Cycle Assessment of Biochar versus Metal Catalysts Used in Syngas Cleaning

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