Sustainable consumption and production - Sustainable manufacturing processes

Title

Can we compare the environmental performance of this product to that one? An update on the development of product category rules and future challenges toward alignment

Reference

Journal of Cleaner Production
Volume 24, March 2012, Pages 102–108

Author(s)

Wesley W. Ingwersen, Martha J. Stevenson

Study type

Peer Review Journal    

Abstract

When used to compare the relative environmental performance of different products, life cycle-based, quantitative environmental claims, such as carbon footprint claims and environmental product declarations require common rules in order for claims to be comparable within a category. Product category rules (PCRs), which are defined in the ISO 14025 standard, specify how life cycle environmental impacts should be estimated and reported for products within a given category. The standard has allowed for the development of multiple program operators in different countries, each with its own set of PCRs. We provide a global update on the development of PCRs, describing progress in existing programs and highlighting emerging efforts. As PCRs have begun to proliferate, challenges have arisen that could potentially undermine comparison of life-cycle-based claims for comparable products. These challenges include the definition of the product category, the lack of common data sources, limited geographic scope, and the format of the claim. We present some recommendations on overcoming these challenges and point out some potential mechanisms to support alignment internationally.

Policy theme(s)

Sustainable consumption and production >> Sustainable production >> Sustainable business and industry
Sustainable consumption and production >> Sustainable production >> Sustainable manufacturing processes

Keywords

PCR; EPD; Product carbon footprint; LCA; Product environmental claims

Entry Source:

Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

View this study at:

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0959652611004847
There is a fee to view this study in full    

Contact the study author at:

martha.stevenson@wwfus.org

Title

Comparison of methodologies for estimating the carbon footprint – case study of office paper

Reference

Journal of Cleaner Production
Volume 24, March 2012, Pages 30–35

Author(s)

Study type

Peer Review Journal    

Abstract

Currently there are several methodologies available for estimating the carbon footprint of products. In this study a comparison has been made between the outcomes and the implications of three different methodologies applied to office paper: (1) the ISO 14040/14044 standards limited to the analysis of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and the corresponding impact category global warming; (2) the PAS 2050; and (3) the Confederation of European Paper Industries (CEPI) framework. The carbon footprint of office paper from cradle-to-costumer is 4.64, 4.74 and 4.29 g CO2eq per A4 sheet according to, respectively, the ISO 14040/14044 standards, the PAS 2050 and the CEPI framework. The ISO 14040/14044 standard methodology allows the quantification of 98% of the total GHG emissions with the smallest effort in data collection. The major hot spots are the stages of eucalypt pulp and office paper production and chemical and fuel production for all methodologies. General methodologies such as those analysed in this study are not enough for the comparison of products. More specific rules, such as Product Category Rules, that limit the degree of freedom in the choice of the functional unit, system boundary, allocation rules, data quality, between others, should be developed.

Policy theme(s)

Sustainable consumption and production >> Sustainable production >> Sustainable business and industry
Sustainable consumption and production >> Sustainable production >> Sustainable manufacturing processes

Keywords

CEPI framework; Global warming potential; ISO 14040/14044; Office paper; PAS 2050; Wood product

Entry Source:

Shortlisted for Science for Environment Policy News Alert 

View this study at:

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0959652611004409
There is a fee to view this study in full    

Contact the study author at:

acdias@ua.pt

Title

Production planning for vehicle recycling factories in the EU legislative and global business environments

Reference

Resources, Conservation and Recycling
Volume 60, March 2012, Pages 78–88

Author(s)

Vladimir Simic, Branka Dimitrijevic

Study type

Peer Review Journal    

Abstract

End-of-life vehicles (ELVs) are a priority in the EU waste flow, and data show that as many as 6.34 million vehicles were processed in 2008. This paper focuses on the production process in a vehicle recycling factory. It presents a tactical production planning problem for vehicle recycling factories in the EU legislative and global business environments. The problem is formulated as a linear program, which provides optimal storage, processing and recovery, recycling and landfill disposal route decisions. The proposed model can not only help vehicle recycling factories improve their eco-efficiency and profitability but also answer many important questions. The present paper deals with questions regarding which costs should be set in EU member states for landfill disposal, combustion in municipal solid waste incinerators and processing in advanced thermal treatment plants so that the ELV Directive can have the most positive eco-effect on the vehicle recycling factory business. The cost increase for landfill disposal will not always reduce the quantity of disposed automobile shredder residue (ASR). The influence of the ELV Directive on the vehicle recycling factory business is analysed. Future quotas will not endanger their profitability. Comprehensive testing of the proposed model showed that the control of the recycling system efficiency should be done at the system level because it will in no way jeopardise the ELV Directive objectives.

Policy theme(s)

Sustainable consumption and production >> Sustainable production >> Sustainable manufacturing processes
Waste >> Waste management
Waste >> Waste management >> Recycling

Keywords

End-of-life vehicles; ELV Directive; Vehicle recycling factory; Automobile shredder residue; Reverse production planning; Environment

Entry Source:

Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

View this study at:

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S092134491100245X
There is a fee to view this study in full    

Contact the study author at:

vsima@sf.bg.ac.rs

Title

Managing emissions of active pharmaceutical ingredients from manufacturing facilities: An environmental quality standard approach

Reference

Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management
DOI: 10.1002/ieam.1268

Author(s)

Richard J. Murray-Smith, Vyvyan T. Coombe, Marie Haag Grönlund, Fredrik Waern, James A. Baird

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) residues have been found to be widespread in the aquatic environment, albeit in most cases at trace levels, with the route to the environment predominantly being via therapeutic use and subsequent excretion to sewer. Whilst manufacturing discharges may be a low overall contributor to environmental concentrations, they need to be managed effectively so that they do not adversely affect the local receiving environment. In order to achieve this, a risk based approach is proposed that identifies the long and short-term concentrations, referred to as Environmental Reference Concentrations (ERC) and Maximum Tolerable Concentrations (MTC) respectively, of an API which should not be exceeded in the aquatic environment receiving pharmaceutical manufacturing sites' effluent. The ERC approach is based upon established environmental quality standard concepts currently used in much national and international legislation. Building upon these concepts, the approach takes into account indirect exposure of potential consumers such as fish eating mammals and humans, as well as primary producers (e.g., algae) and primary and secondary consumers (e.g., invertebrates and fish). Whilst chronic toxicity data are preferred for ERC derivation, acute data, with appropriate considerations of uncertainty, may be used when chronic data are not available. This approach takes all available information into account, particularly for older established medicines which may pre-date current regulatory requirements for environmental data, and consequently helps to prioritise resources for environmental testing. The ERC approach has been applied to 30 of AstraZeneca's APIs. Merits of the approach are discussed, together with opportunities for potential future refinement.

Policy theme(s)

Risk assessment >> Risk assessment methodologies     
Risk assessment >> Hazards >> Hazardous substances
Sustainable consumption and production >> Sustainable production >> Sustainable manufacturing processes

Keywords

Effluent; Environment; Risk; Pharmaceutical; Manufacturing

Entry Source:

Shortlisted for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

View this study at:

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ieam.1268/full

There is a fee to view this study in full

Contact the study author at:

Richard.murray-smith@astrazeneca.com

Title

Emerging design strategies in sustainable production and consumption of textiles and clothing

Reference

Journal of Cleaner Production
Volume 19, Issue 16, November 2011, Pages 1876-1883

Author(s)

Kirsi Niinimäki, Lotta Hassi

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

This study contributes to current knowledge of sustainability in textile and clothing production and consumption. When the textile and clothing industry aims to promote sustainability, the main change factors have been linked to eco-materials and ethical issues in production. At present, however, business models are mainly linked with a large volume of sales and production. Although industrial development has moved toward smaller environmental impact, production as well as consumption has increased to levels where the benefits of technological development are reduced. A change is thus needed to reach a systemic transformation, not only in production but also in consumption. The aim of this paper is to open up the discussion on opportunities for radical change in this industry. The paper presents ways to rethink and redesign business in the textile and clothing field by offering an overview on several design strategies that exist today in niche markets. Furthermore we evaluate how interested consumers are in these design strategies and discuss the opportunities these design approaches offer to sustainable development through new value creation.

Policy theme(s)

Sustainable consumption and production >> Sustainable production >> Ecodesign
Sustainable consumption and production >> Sustainable production >> Sustainable business and industry
Sustainable consumption and production >> Sustainable production >> Sustainable manufacturing processes

Keywords

Textile industry; Sustainable design strategies; Value creation; Strategic innovation

Entry Source:

Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

Referred to in EC doc:

N/A

View this study at:

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0959652611001569
There is a fee to view this study in full

Contact the study author at:

kirsiniin@gmail.com

Title

Ecofriendly hydrogen production from abundant hydrogen sulfide using solar light-driven hierarchical nanostructured ZnIn₂S₄ photocatalyst

Reference

Green Chem., 2011, 13, 2500-2506
DOI: 10.1039/C1GC15515F

Author(s)

Nilima S. Chaudhari, Ashwini P. Bhirud, Ravindra S. Sonawane, Latesh K. Nikam, Sambhaji S. Warule, Vilas H. Rane and Bharat B. Kale

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

It is quite well-known that refineries are producing huge amount of H₂S which has been used to produce sulphur and water using the well-known Claus process. This process is not an economically viable process, due to the high-cost chemical process and creates further acute environmental problems. Therefore, we have demonstrated the conversion of poisonous H₂S into H₂ using an ecofriendly phocatalysis process which is a green unconventional energy source. We have investigated ecofriendly nanostructured ZnIn₂S₄ photocatalyst to produce hydrogen from H₂S using solar light. We also demonstrate the controlled synthesis of hierarchical nanostructured ZnIn₂S₄ using a facile hydrothermal method. The morphologies obtained have been greatly influenced by the presence of triethylamine (TEA) with various concentrations during the reaction. Surprisingly, a highly crystalline hexagonal layer structured ZnIn₂S₄ was obtained instead of cubic spinel. The hierarchical nanostructure, i.e. marigold flower-like morphology, was obtained without any surfactant. The thin and transparent petals self-assembled to form the unique nanostructured marigold flower. The highly crystalline puffy marigold flowers and nanoplates/nanostrips were obtained using TEA-assisted hydrothermal synthesis. Optical study shows the band gap in the range of 2.34–2.48 eV. Considering the band gap in the visible region, ZnIn₂S₄ is used as photocatalyst for hydrogen production from hydrogen sulphide under solar light which is hitherto unattempted. The constant photocatalytic activity of hydrogen evolution, i.e. 5287 µmol h-1, was obtained using such hierarchical nanostructured ZnIn₂S₄ under visible light irradiation. It is noteworthy that the H₂ evolution rate obtained is much higher compared to earlier reported photocatalysts. Considering the significance of morphologies for photocatalytic application, the formation mechanism has also been furnished. The unique hierarchical nanostructured ZnIn₂S₄ ternary semiconductor having hexagonal layer will have potential applications in solar cells, LEDs, charge storage, electrochemical recording, thermoelectricity and other prospective electronic and optical devices.

Policy theme(s)

Climate change and energy >> Climate change mitigation >> Low carbon and renewable energy
Environmental technologies >> Climate change mitigation >> Low carbon technologies
Sustainable consumption and production >> Sustainable production >> Sustainable manufacturing processes

Keywords

Entry Source:

Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

Referred to in EC doc:

N/A

View this study at:

http://pubs.rsc.org/en/Content/ArticleLanding/2011/GC/c1gc15515f
There is a fee to view this study in full

Contact the study author at:

bbkale@cmet.gov.in

Title

Carbon footprint of food – approaches from national input–output statistics and a LCA of a food portion

Reference

Journal of Cleaner Production
Volume 19, Issue 16, November 2011, Pages 1849-1856

Author(s)

Yrjö Virtanen , Sirpa Kurppa, Merja Saarinen, Juha-Matti Katajajuuri, Kirsi Usva, Ilmo Mäenpää, Johanna Mäkelä, Juha Grönroos, Ari Nissinen

Study type

Peer Review Journal / Report

Abstract

The aim of the study, on which this paper is based, was to provide guidance to consumers to make environmentally responsible choices in their food consumption, to assist food supply chain stakeholders to identify the key areas for environmental improvements, and to provide policy makers with a tool for monitoring the potential impacts on climate change resulting from developments within the food sector. At the macro level, the EIO-LCA model was developed specifically for the Finnish food chain; at the micro level, LCAs were performed on 30 lunch portions. The contribution of the Finnish food chain to climate change was 14%, which comprised 40% CO₂ emissions, 25% CH₄ emissions, and 34% N₂O emissions. The share of impacts from domestic agricultural processes was the highest, at 69%. The impact of a single lunch portion ranged between 0.65 and 3.80 kg of equivalent CO₂. According to the EIO-LCA model, the average impact was 7.7 kg CO₂ eq/person daily. The consumer phase accounted for between 8 and 47% of the climate change impacts for homemade portions. In ready-to-eat portions industry and retail phases were emphasized, representing 25-38% of climate change impacts. We present an approach to steer the Finnish food sector onto an environmentally sustainable path; practical tools for consumers and farmers will especially need to be developed further.

Policy theme(s)

Sustainable consumption and production >> Sustainable consumption >> Consumption behaviour
Sustainable consumption and production >> Sustainable production >> Sustainable business and industry
Sustainable consumption and production >> Sustainable production >> Sustainable manufacturing processes

Keywords

Carbon footprint of food; National food system; Food portion; EIO-LCA approach

Entry Source:

Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

Referred to in EC doc:

N/A

View this study at:

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0959652611002423
There is a fee to view this study in full

Contact the study author at:

yrjo.virtanen@mtt.fi

Title

Remanufacturing and Energy Savings.

Reference

Environmental Science & Technology, 2011; : 110422100456030
DOI: 10.1021/es102598b

Author(s)

Timothy G. Gutowski, Sahil Sahni, Avid Boustani, Stephen C. Graves.

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

Remanufactured products that can substitute for new products are generally claimed to save energy. These claims are made from studies that look mainly at the differences in materials production and manufacturing. However, when the use phase is included,the situation can change radically. In this Article, 25 case studies for eight different product categories were studied, including: (1) furniture, (2) clothing, (3) computers, (4) electric motors, (5) tires, (6) appliances, (7) engines, and (8) toner cartridges. For most of these products, the use phase energy dominates that for materials production and manufacturing combined. As a result, small changes in use phase efficiency can overwhelm the claimed savings from materials production and manufacturing. These use phase energy changes are primarily due to efficiency improvements in new products, and efficiency degradation in remanufactured products. For those products with no, or an unchanging, use phase energy requirement, remanufacturing can save energy. For the 25 cases, we found that 8 cases clearly saved energy, 6 did not, and 11 were too close to call. In some cases, we could examine how the energy savings potential of remanufacturing has changed over time. Specifically, during times of significant improvements in energy efficiency, remanufacturing would often not save energy. A general design trend seems to be to add power to a previously unpowered product, and then to improve on the energy efficiency of the product over time. These trends tend to undermine the energy savings potential of remanufacturing.

Policy theme(s)

Sustainable consumption and production >> Sustainable production >> Sustainable manufacturing processes

Keywords

N/A

Entry Source:

N/A

Referred to in EC doc:

Shortlisted for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

View this study at:

http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/es102598b
There is a fee to view this study in full

Contact the study author at:

gutowski@mit.edu

Title

Reference

Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy
Volume 13, Number 3, 469-479, DOI: 10.1007/s10098-010-0329-x

Author(s)

S. Vinodh, K. R. Arvind and M. Somanaathan

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

There has been a paradigm shift in the manufacturing systems. Lean manufacturing is a manufacturing system that is focused on the elimination of wastes thereby facilitating process streamlining and waste reduction. In the recent days, the need for environmental consciousness is very much realized. The environmental waste is regarded as the ninth waste. This article focuses on the exploration of various issues of sustainability using lean initiatives. Also, some of the strategies/techniques that would enable the achievement of sustainability objectives using lean initiatives are presented.

Policy theme(s)

Sustainable consumption and production >> Sustainable production >> Sustainable manufacturing processes

Keywords

Environmental concerns, Sustainability principles, Lean manufacturing, Waste elimination, Value Stream Mapping, Environmental safety

Entry Source:

Shortlisted for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

Referred to in EC doc:

N/A

View this study at:

http://www.springerlink.com/content/k4701r8h00218524/
There is a fee to view this study in full

Contact the study author at:

vinodh_sekar82@yahoo.com

Title

The potential for improvements in energy efficiency and CO2 emissions in the EU27 cement industry and the relationship with the capital budgeting decision criteria

Reference

Journal of Cleaner Production
Volume 19, Issue 11, July 2011, Pages 1207-1215

Author(s)

José Antonio Moya, Nicolás Pardo and Arnaud Mercier

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

This paper performs a cost-effectiveness analysis of some of the best available technologies (BAT) that can contribute to decreasing the energy consumption and CO2 emissions in the European Union's (EU27) cement industry. Several capital budgeting decision criteria have been used (the payback period, the net present value and the internal rate of return) to study whether or not an investment should be considered worthwhile. The results show that, independent of the capital budgeting decision criteria used, the number of cost-effective retrofitting possibilities available is large compared to the rate of improvements that the industry undertakes annually. This shows the insensitivity of the industry to financial criteria when it comes to making their investment decisions. The possible thermal energy improvement in the clinker production, if all these BATs were implemented, has been quantified to be around 10%. This achievement would place the cement industry in the upper bound of the benchmark range for clinker manufacture. However considering the delays observed nowadays in terms of diffusion of BATs in the cement industry, it requires a conducive policy environment that combines support for both technology development and to their deployment.

Policy theme(s)

Resource efficiency >> Energy efficiency
Sustainable consumption and production >> Sustainable production >> Sustainable business and industry
Sustainable consumption and production >> Sustainable production >> Sustainable manufacturing processes

Keywords

Energy efficiency, Best available technological improvements, Cement industry, Capital budgeting decision criteria

Entry Source:

Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

Referred to in EC doc:

N/A

View this study at:

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0959652611000795
There is a fee to view this study in full

Contact the study author at:

jose.moya@ec.europa.eu

Title

The Environmental Importance of Energy Use in Chemical Production

Reference

Journal of Industrial Ecology Volume 15, Issue 1, pages 96-107, February 2011

Author(s)

Gregor Wernet, Christopher Mutel, Stefanie Hellweg, Konrad Hungerbühler

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

In many cases, policy makers and laymen perceive harmful emissions from chemical plants as the most important source of environmental impacts in chemical production. As a result, regulations and environmental efforts have tended to focus on this area. Concerns about energy use and greenhouse gas emissions, however, are increasing in all industrial sectors. Using a life cycle assessment (LCA) approach, we analyzed the full environmental impacts of producing 99 chemical products in Western Europe from cradle to factory gate. We applied several life cycle impact assessment (LCIA) methods to cover various impact areas. Our analysis shows that for both organic and inorganic chemical production in industrial countries, energy-related impacts often represent more than half and sometimes up to 80% of the total impacts, according to a range of LCIA methods. Resource use for material feedstock is also important, whereas direct emissions from chemical plants may make up only 5% to 10% of the total environmental impacts. Additionally, the energy-related impacts of organic chemical production increase with the complexity of the chemicals. The results of this study offer important information for policy makers and sustainability experts in the chemical industry striving to reduce environmental impacts. We identify more sustainable energy production and use as an important option for improvements in the environmental profile of chemical production in industrial countries, especially for the production of advanced organic and fine chemicals.

Policy theme(s)

Resource efficiency>>Energy efficiency
Sustainable consumption and production>> Sustainable production>>Sustainable manufacturing processes

Keywords

industrial ecology, inorganic chemicals, chemical manufacturing, life cycle assessment (LCA), life cycle impact assessment (LCIA), petrochemicals

Entry Source:

N/A

Referred to in EC doc:

Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

View this study at:

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1530-9290.2010.00294.x/abstract
There is a fee to view this study in full

Contact the study author at:

stefanie.hellweg@ifu.baug.ethz.ch

Title

Transition to Lead-Free Products in the US Electronics Industry: A Model of Environmental, Technical, and Economic Preferences

Reference

Environmental Modeling and Assessment (2011) 16:107-118
DOI 10.1007/s10666-010-9227-1

Author(s)

Xiaoying Zhou & Hilary Nixon & Oladele A. Ogunseitan & Andrew A. Shapiro & Julie M. Schoenung

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

The European Union's Restriction on the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances (Directive 2002/95/EC) targeted at electronic products took effect in 2006. In contrast, the USA has no comparable national policy on these products. To understand corporate responses to policy differences across jurisdictions, we conducted a structured questionnaire survey of individuals in 109 companies that are representative of the US electronics industry. The results reveal that 70% of these companies have already adopted lead-free solder for electronics with 49% of the total preferring the SnAgCu formulation, despite uncertainties associated with environmental impacts of this alternative alloy. We use a modified life cycle impact assessment method based on endpoint modeling approach to derive weighting factors that represent the respondents' value system for tradeoffs among environmental impacts. We use a modified fuzzy Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution approach to evaluate technical criteria dominance in declared preferences. A statistical model of corporate behavior is also presented. The results provide the first systematic framework that accounts for environmental impact, technological challenge, and business strategy concurrently toward formulating a comprehensive national policy for materials selection in electronic products.

Policy theme(s)

Chemicals >> Pollutants/hazardous substances >> Heavy metals
Sustainable consumption and production >> Sustainable production >> Sustainable business and industry
Sustainable consumption and production >> Sustainable production >> Sustainable manufacturing processes

Keywords

Decision making, Environmental management, E-waste, Integrated assessment, Lead-free solder, Materials selection

Entry Source:

Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

Referred to in EC doc:

N/A

View this study at:

http://www.springerlink.com/content/981vn0x328201586/
This study is free to view

Contact the study author at:

xzhou@dtsc.ca.gov
jmschoenung@ucdavis.edu