Anesth Analg 2004;99:6267, 17. Once extracted, the tungsten is then shipped to a desired location for it to be manufactured into the metal compound. In phase 3, we evaluate how significant the impacts are. A Comparison Life Cycle Assessment between Razor Blade and Electric Shaver. Dec. 2012. Features Downloads. Life cycle assessment, according to ISO 14040/44, is conducted in four steps [29,30,31]: (1) goal and scope definition, (2) life cycle inventory, (3) life cycle impact assessment, and (4) interpretation. Plastics are cleaned and pelletized to be recycled into new products, such as picnic tables and park benches. The Fate of the Disposable Razor.Industrial Equipment News (IEN), 7 Aug. 2019, www.ien.com/product-development/news/21081402/the-fate-of-the-disposable-razor. Bic USAs 2016 registration document provides information about the waste produced during the manufacturing of the razors. BIC says its product beats out other models by 59 percent. Life Cycle Assessment - definition & methodology. Being that it is such a common and quickly replaced product, this is is a major issue in terms of waste. The blades and lubricating strip were too light to be measured with our equipment so their weights were rounded to 1g. LeBlanc, Rick. Disposable razors are created for a short user time, and an easy answer to the growing populations fast paced lifestyles and needs for shaving: they are primarily designed to be simple, economical, and disposable (Safety Razor). The total amount of Direct emissions from BIC factories was 8,689 tonnes of carbon dioxide (For You For Everyone Registration Document). What IS Life Cycle Assessment? This means that it takes around 1 BTU to heat a 0.035-ounce razor blade to the desired temperature (Julabo et.al). A complete life cycle cost analysis would complement the life cycle assessment results shown here; however, a simple analysis reveals that, assuming full utilization, a $200 reusable LMA costs $5 per use, plus $3 per cleaning for a unit cost of $8, excluding utility and hospital overhead costs. Chain Management by Life Cycle Assessment (CMLCA) software has been used to conduct the LCA and Ecoinvent 2.01 has been used for life cycle inventory data. All of these equipment-related cases occurred before the routine implementation of sterilization procedures currently used in health care facilities. The Bic corporation considers their environmental impact and takes steps to reduce as much waste as possible. BIC is a French manufacturing company that produces a variety of disposable consumer products like pens, lighters and disposable razors. During a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), environmental impacts are evaluated throughout the entire life cycle of a product (production, use and disposal or recovery).This also includes the upstream and downstream processes associated with production (e.g., the production of . Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) - Complete Beginner's Guide - Ecochain The majority of eutrophication impacts from disposable LMAs are from deposition of nitrogen oxide particulates from electricity generation and waste incineration, and impacts for the reusable LMA are nearly all from wastewater used in the cleaning process. The product doesnt contain any material labels, so the materials have been assumed to be low alloy steel for the body, PP for the plastic parts of the body, EPDM rubber for the grip and an acrylic polymer coating for the lubricating band. Another advantage is that the process produces a single score (Eco-Indicator Point) for the all the impacts of the product, not just individual ones for each part. According to studies done by the EPA, tungsten steel was originally tested as a stable metal in soil that does not dissolve easily in water (EPA). An estimated 1 L of tap water was used to wash and rinse 1 LMA (or 40 L over a lifetime of 40 uses). The plastic and steel elements of the razor can be recycled, yet, because they are so lightweight and small it makes it hard to separate in the trash and unable to be recycled normally. Finally, inclusion of the environmental impacts of labor for cleaning (from wages spent on goods and services) only nominally increases the total GHG and water impacts of reusable LMAs. The 2 LMA options are nearly equivalent in terms of eutrophication impacts, but with different contributions. Overall, reusable LMAs were found to have fewer negative environmental effects in nearly all categories, typically contributing <50% of the impacts of disposable LMAs. So, while this solution is not an easy fix, as it would require buyers to save their own waste, it does provide an alternative to the disposable razor waste crisis. The second component of the razor is the plastic body which is made of a fairly inexpensive plastic called polystyrene. E-LCA is a time tested assessment technique that evaluates environmental performance throughout the life cycle of a product or from performing a service. Disposable razors are a commonly used item for most Americans, and over two billion razors are thrown away every year in the United States (Shabecoff). life cycle assessment European Environment Agency The tables didnt contain values for welding steel, so it has been assumed that the value is close to welding aluminium which is in the table. What's the greenest way to shave? - Slate Magazine E.P.A. Ans: (i) Significant growth in industry of super premium segment . Disposable Blood Warmer Market 2023-2030 Future Forecasts 1. Applying this method of assessment is complex and difficult and translating the theory into a . Contribution: This author helped design the study and prepare the manuscript. Polypropylene is recyclable with the resin code of 5, which is its numbered identification code that is used to identify what resins plastic products are made of, and indicate how they are recycled. Policy H-135.945: Encouraging Alternatives to PVC/DEHP Products in Health. LCA's are completed particularly in relation to how to develop a sustainable world where less waste and more reuse is implemented. RSA Of course the 2.6 billion razors were not, all the same, however, we can still give a ballpark estimate of how many tonnes of plastic/metal waste is being produced every year. BIC said that around 98 percent of its intercompany product transfer was done by transportation methods that were not related to air-freight (For You For Everyone Registration Document). Life cycle assessment (LCA) is a method used to estimate the total environmental impacts from producing a good or service. The blade is made from a tungsten steel, and carbon alloy. There are three main materials used in the plastic handle and the cartridge of the disposable razor. Reusable LMAs in general appear to be made largely of silicone, lacking these same concerns for PVC/DEHP. What makes for an easy, simple, and affordable mass produced and used product costs more in its long afterlife in the landfill, out of sight of the buyers awareness. The carbon alloy allows for the metal to be strong enough to be exposed to high levels of moisture without corroding, yet brittle enough to be made into thin blades for a multiple blade razor (Safety Razor). There is always some level of uncertainty in the results and in the methodology; so users shouldnt take the numbers shown as absolute values, but more as a guide to prioritise work. Environmental Life-Cycle Assessment of Disposable Bioreactors - BioProcess InternationalBioProcess International Upstream Processing Bioprocessing begins upstream, most often with culturing of animal or microbial cells in a range of vessel types (such as bags or stirred tanks) using different controlled feeding, aerating, and process strategies. The LMAs were first rinsed in tap water, scrubbed externally with a Hibiclens sponge and internally with a small scrub brush, and rinsed again. They are resins that maintain a high dimensional stability, which helps create fast and cheap plastic razor handles (Safety Razor). In order to carry out the Eco-Indicator analysis method, the methodology described below has to be followed: 1.Establish the purpose of the Eco-Indicator calculations 2.Define the life-cycle 3.Quantify the materials and processes 4.Complete the form 5.Interpret and analyse the results Sensitivity and simple life cycle cost analyses were conducted to aid in interpretation of the results. With such a fast accumulating waste and slow decomposition rate, there must be changes and incentive for companies to rethink the disposable razor. CASE STUDY ANALYSIS - CLEAN EDGE, NON DISPOSABLE RAZOR Q1. It is at this stage that very small amounts of other metals such as iron, silicon, and chromium may be added to the carbide to increase its strength and durability. Next, the razors will be tested for flaws, strength, and razor hardness and sharpness (Safety Razor, madehow.com). It has a low density and is quite flexible and heat resistant, therefore making it an easily moulded and extruded material. Life cycle analysis takes into account the following categories: Energy consumption Water consumption Air emissions (including carbon dioxide and other global warming gases) Water emissions Generation of solid waste Safety Razor. How Products Are Made, www.madehow.com/Volume-5/Safety-Razor.html. Contrary to common expectation, hair is actually pretty hard. Anaesth Intensive Care 2004;32:5304, 4. Despite this, a general perception is that reusable LMAs possess a safety profile inferior to that of disposable LMAs, thus contributing to the proliferation of the latter. The alloy is strong enough to resist moisture for a short time in the buyers shower, yet, in the landfill, it does eventually rust and decompose. The stability of the plastic components, while necessary for shelf stability and use, takes longer than one persons life-span to decompose. Choosing models that use alternate materials is recommended, particularly because the American Medical Association is urging hospitals and health systems to reduce their use of PVC products, especially those containing DEHP.26 The shipment of LMAs by air also greatly increased overall impacts, pointing to a strategy of bulk ordering from local distributors well in advance of use, and avoiding overnight shipment whenever possible. WC2N 6EZ, Redesigning the razor Life Cycle Assessment. Growing awareness of the negative impacts from the practice of health care on the environment and public health calls for the routine inclusion of life cycle criteria into the decision-making process of device selection. After getting the sharpened blade they are coated with a thin film to allows them to not lose sharpness after only a few shaves (Manufacturing Processes). The indirect emissions were mostly from the electricity use in the factories. The newest effort to recycle disposable razors is being done in France by BIC, but the company has said that they do not plan on unveiling a recycling program anywhere else yet (Powers). In my research, I was not able to find specifics about where BIC sources their materials, I believe that this is due to them being a global company. Manufacturers can do this solely by machine or by human eye/hand plus machine for extra quality assurance. Convenience is a potential advantage for disposable LMAs, and facilities that use reusable LMAs must ensure that a variety of sizes are always available when needed. Disposable razors are made up of three components: a hollowed plastic handle, the razor blade, and the plastic head of the razor that holds the blade (Safety Razor). Sustainability | Free Full-Text | Reducing the Environmental Impact of Life cycle assessment is a "cradle-to-grave" approach for determining the financial and environmental costs of a product over its entire life.