Comparative Life Cycle Assessment of different packaging systems for coffee capsules

Author(s):  
Annachiara Tonelli ◽  
David Mosna ◽  
Giuseppe Vignali

"The aim of this work is to compare the environmental impact of three different packaging systems for coffee capsules, which can be used in the same coffee machine. A comparative Life Cycle Assessment has been performed considering the following three types of coffee capsules: 1. Compostable coffee capsules packaged into a multichamber PET tray. 2. Capsules made of aluminium and packaged into cardboard boxes. 3. Capsules made of polypropylene with an aluminium top lid, singularly packaged in modified atmosphere into a bag made of multilayer film of aluminium and polypropylene. The functional unit considered is a coffee capsule. To evaluate the environmental impact, the EPD (Environmental Product Declaration) method is used. This work shows that it is possible to reduce the environmental impact of compostable capsules packaged in PET tray by two ways: by using a less polluting starch polymer and by producing biogas instead of compost from the organic waste. With these improvements, the compostable coffee capsule in PET tray results the less damaging packaging system for all categories except than for the ozone layer depletion and the fossil fuels depletion."

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alisha Kathleen Hunter

Ground source heat pump (GSHP) systems are an extremely efficient space heating and cooling technology. There is a large consensus throughout the literature that GSHP systems can reduce operational CO2 emissions by up to 80% in comparison to natural gas furnace (GF) and air conditioner (AC) systems. The literature is limited; however, in regards to the specific environmental impacts associated with the systems, as well as the impacts that occur throughout the systems’ entire life cycle. In this project, a comparative life cycle assessment was conducted to compare a GSHP system with a GF/AC system, examining 14 specific environmental impact categories. Results were consistent with the literature in regards to the operational stage; however the GSHP system displayed a significantly greater overall environmental impact. While these results are specific to the region of Ontario, Canada, they call into question the prevailing opinion that GSHPs are the more environmentally sustainable option.


2016 ◽  
pp. 15-26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rutjaya P. Na Talang ◽  
Sanya Sirivithayapakorn

In many Asian countries, fired bricksare producedby burning raw bricks in a rudimen-tary clamp kiln without pollution control mechanisms, a practice which contributes to several kinds of environmental impact. This research investigated the inputs and outputs associated with production of fired bricks using the rice husk-fuelled clamp kiln. Data collected includedraw material use, energy, products, emissions and kiln temperatures. To quantify environmental impacts, the consequential-focused life cycle assessment (LCA) approach was adopted. The impactswere assessed in terms of fuel substitution as the acquisition of another fuelwas re-quired to substitute for electricity. The findings indicated that the clamp kiln technology pro-duced lowCO2emissions per unit of production and per unit of energy input, despite poor specific energy consumption. The LCA analysis indicated that the use of rice husk was the major contributor to environmental impact, and that abiotic depletion of fossil fuels repre-sented the environmental hotspot. To improve combustion efficiency, the clamp kilns should beeither insulated or replaced with more efficient kiln technology, in conjunction with the use ofrice husk.


2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 186-195 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thais Ayres Rebello ◽  
Robson Zulcão ◽  
João Luiz Calmon ◽  
Ricardo Franci Gonçalves

Owing to the cost of destination and transportation of ornamental stone processing waste, many studies focused on the reuse and recycling of this product. However, there is a scarcity of articles addressing the environmental viability of the recycling of ornamental stone. In this context, this study comprehends a comparative life cycle assessment of ornamental stone processing waste and conventional materials: sand, clay and limestone filler. The modelling software used was SimaPro 8.3.0.0 with Ecoinvent 3.2 database, employing the ReCiPe H/H methodology for impact assessment. The results show that the recycling of ornamental stone processing waste is environmentally preferable, and the artificial drying alternatives, such as flash dryer and rotary dryer, have lower environmental impact than extracting and processing clay through atomisation methods and limestone filler production. The sensitivity analysis indicated that it is possible to transport the ornamental stone processing waste 37 km after processing, so it reaches the same environmental impact as sand extracted by dredging. On the other hand, an increase of 25% in the energy consumption incremented only 7% of the environmental impact owing to the Brazilian energy mix.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alisha Kathleen Hunter

Ground source heat pump (GSHP) systems are an extremely efficient space heating and cooling technology. There is a large consensus throughout the literature that GSHP systems can reduce operational CO2 emissions by up to 80% in comparison to natural gas furnace (GF) and air conditioner (AC) systems. The literature is limited; however, in regards to the specific environmental impacts associated with the systems, as well as the impacts that occur throughout the systems’ entire life cycle. In this project, a comparative life cycle assessment was conducted to compare a GSHP system with a GF/AC system, examining 14 specific environmental impact categories. Results were consistent with the literature in regards to the operational stage; however the GSHP system displayed a significantly greater overall environmental impact. While these results are specific to the region of Ontario, Canada, they call into question the prevailing opinion that GSHPs are the more environmentally sustainable option.


2021 ◽  
Vol 896 (1) ◽  
pp. 012046
Author(s):  
A Yerdianti ◽  
R Aziz

Abstract PT FRP produces crumb rubber SIR 20 with a total annual production of 42.000 tons. This study aims to analyze the environmental impact of 1-ton crumb rubber production using the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) method to be further explored for recommendations for ecological improvement. LCA was carried by a gate-to-gate scope using SimaPro software with the eco-indicator 99 method. The steps for completing this research refer to ISO 14040:2016. Characterization step results from the category of fossil fuels impact have the highest value (931 MJ surplus). The total value of the single score generated is 369 Pt, with the highest impact value is respiratory inorganics. The dryer drying process, the usage of electricity, and the generator and boiler are four production processes that significantly impact the environment. Improvement recommendations given to reduce the effects of the four processes are using an economizer in the boiler, the combination of fuel used by the boiler, and substitution of diesel fuel with Pertamina Dex as generator’s fuel.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonio Arguelles-Arguelles ◽  
Myriam Adela Amezcua-Allieri ◽  
Luis Felipe Ramírez-Verduzco

Transition to a new energy low carbon pool requires the gradual replacing of fossil fuels with other cleaner energies and biofuels. In this work, the environmental impact of renewable diesel production using an attributional life cycle assessment was evaluated by considering five stages: palm plantation-culture-harvest, palm oil extraction, palm oil refining, green (renewable) diesel production, and biofuel use. The functional unit was established as 1.6 × 10−2 m3 (13.13 kg) of renewable diesel. The results show that the production of renewable diesel by Hydro-processed Esters and Fatty Acids is more environmentally friendly than fossil diesel production. In particular, the analysis showed that the CO2 emission decreases around 110% (i.e. mitigation occurred) compared with conventional diesel production. However, renewable diesel production has a relevant environmental impact in the human toxicity category due to the high consumption of agrochemicals during palm culture.


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