Comparative Lifecycle Assessment of Toilet Paper and Water For Toilet use

Transcription

1 Comparative Lifecycle Assessment of Toilet Paper and Water For Toilet use Advance Lifecycle Assessment Class Project Alejandra Munoz; Ashwin Kumar Sanath Kumar; Kaushik Sivasubramanian; Rachna Sharma 5/8/2011 DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Comparative Lifecycle Assessment of Toilet Paper and Water For Toilet use ABSTRACT AND INTRODUCTION... 2 GOAL... 2 APPLICATION... 2 REASON FOR CONDUCTING THE STUDY... 2 AUDIENCE... 2 COMPARATIVE ASSERTION... 2 SCOPE... 2 PRODUCT SYSTEMS... 3 FUNCTION AND FUNCTIONAL UNIT... 3 SYSTEM BOUNDARY... 3 CUT OFF CRITERIA... 4 ALLOCATION PROCEDURES:... 4 LIFE CYCLE INVENTORY... 4 ASSUMPTIONS... 4 LIFE CYCLE IMPACT ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY... 5 INTERPRETATION... 5 LIMITATIONS... 5 LIFE CYCLE INVENTORY... 5 DATA COLLECTION... 5 DATA CALCULATION... 5 LIFE CYCLE IMPACT ASSESSMENT... 7 IMPACT CATEGORIES, CATEGORY INDICATOR AND CHARACTERIZATION MODEL... 7 SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS LIFE CYCLE INTERPRETATION CONCLUSION LIMITATIONS RECOMMENDATIONS REFERENCES

3 Abstract There are many ways to cleanse our body after defecation. Toilet use being a daily activity in every household, we wanted to compare the environmental impacts due to use of paper and water to clean the body, to assess how much a simple change in lifestyle would decrease the greenhouse gas emission and energy consumption. This study was carried out using Life Cycle Assessment methods guided by ISO 14040:2006 and ISO 14044:2006. Amount of toilet paper or water used for cleaning after toilet use per person per year in the United States was considered to be the functional unit of this study. From the analysis it was seen that the use of water with a health faucet caused less impact on the environment than use of toilet paper on an average by a factor of 16 for Global Warming Potential (GWP) and 13 for Cumulative Energy Demand (CED). It was also seen that the major contributors to GWP and CED in both the life cycles were paper production and heating of water. Thus in warmer locations, the impacts due to water would be further less. Goal The goal of this study is to draw quantitative conclusions concerning the environmental burdens of toilet paper and water required for body cleansing after toilet use. Environmental impact categories of interest are GWP (climate change) and CED. Application: This study was primarily done to hone our lifecycle assessment skills by making a comparative assertion as defined by the International Standard Organization (2006) as an environmental claim regarding the superiority or equivalence of one product/ process versus a competing product that performs the same function. Reason for conducting the study: Several ways exist to clean the body after toilet use. In USA, as in most western countries, toilet paper is used to clean the body after urination and defecation. However, approximately only 30% of the global population uses toilet paper (Toilet Paper History). About four billion people use other methods for cleaning such as water via a Bidet i, a health faucet ii or a washlet iii and other materials such as rags, sponges or sticks iv among others (Toilet Paper History). The prevalent method of use depends mainly on the custom and culture of the place, availability of resources and affordability. United states being endowed with both forests and water resources, we wanted to compare the environmental impacts due to use of paper and water to clean the body, to assess how much a simple change in lifestyle would decrease the greenhouse gas emissions and energy demand. Audience: The intended audience for this study is the Advanced Life Cycle Assessment class students, teaching assistants and instructor. Comparative Assertion: Although this study aims to compare the environmental impacts of toilet paper and water use, we do not plan to communicate the results to general public, outside of the Advance Life Cycle Assessment class. Therefore, a critical review of the study is optional. Scope The scope of the study includes the two product systems studied that have an equivalent function. The various parameters as required by ISO standards are discussed below. 2

4 Product Systems: The two product systems being considered are: Toilet Paper: Standard two ply toilet paper roll, packaged with a cylindrical cardboard roll and exterior packaging in plastic, bought at a retail store/super market, having approximately 363 sheets per roll, each roll weighing 143g (Refer to Appendix I Toilet Paper, Sheets/ Roll and Weight/ Roll). As per industry data, 100% recycled paper has been considered for modeling toilet paper. Water: Tap water (municipally treated) has been considered to be used for cleaning. The average water supply temperature is estimated to be about 60 F (Labs, 1979). Heating of water to 80 F, using domestic hot water systems (operated by natural gas) (Koomey, 1995) has also been considered. Function and Functional Unit: The functional unit of the product system is the amount of paper/water required per person per year for cleaning the body after toilet use. There are a number of secondary functions for toilet paper such as cleaning sinks, for lipstick removal etc. and for water use such as drinking, bathing etc. These functions are not a part of this study. Reference Flows: To quantify functional unit, the reference flows calculated for the two product systems are shown below: Toilet Paper 8 Kg per person per year (Refer to Appendix I Toilet Paper, Usage) Water 4076 Liters per person per year (Refer to Appendix I Water, Usage) System Boundary: The following phases have been considered in life cycle of the two product systems and have been shown in figure 1 Toilet Paper - > Production, Packaging, Storage, Transportation, Last Mile Travel, Disposal Water - > Catchment water treatment, Distribution, Waste water treatment, Usage (Heating), Appliances (Production, Packaging, Storage, Transportation, Disposal, Online Purchase) Toilet Paper Product System Water and Health Faucet Product System Figure 1 Toilet paper and Water use Product Flow Diagrams 3

5 As a part of system boundary refining, toilet paper disposal was excluded based on literature reviews that considered the impacts of toilet paper disposal as negligible (Owens, 1996) (Madsen, 2007). Cut off Criteria: Processes with mass, energy, environmental impact less than 1% of the reference flow in question have been neglected, based on similar assumptions in other LCA studies and class discussions. Exclusions: Processes not included in the scope of the study are Post Western Closet use processes such as Tap water for hand washing, flushing, use of soap, hand drying, paper towels etc. as their impacts would be the same irrespective of which method of cleaning is adopted. Allocation Procedures: We have allocated inputs by mass, economic activity and number of units. The amount of plastic used for packaging and the cardboard tube inside a toilet paper roll has been allocated based on number of units. The cardboard packaging for transporting toilet paper rolls from production to warehouse or retail has been allocated by volume (Refer to Appendix II Inside and Outside Packaging). Transportation impacts for the last mile transportation have been allocated by economic activity (Refer to Appendix III Last Mile Transportation) (US Dept. of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2003).Warehouse and retail store electricity and natural gas use data have been allocated based on volume (CBECS, 2006) (Tompkins & Smith, 1998) (Refer to Appendix IV Warehouse and Retail Energy Use). The cardboard packaging, transportation of health faucets and warehouse energy use has been allocated by volume (Refer to Appendix V Health Faucet). Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) Data Requirements: We have used primary data, literature sources and LCI databases for our study. Primary data for packaging of toilet paper has been collected by actual measurements at retail stores. LCI databases have been used in Simapro and literature has been referenced whenever used for a data point. The data collected and methodology has been documented in Appendices I-VI. Data Quality Requirements: We have considered the following parameters in data collection: Temporal Quality We have used recent data wherever possible and available. However, some data sources used are as old as 1994 from Life Cycle Inventory databases. Geographical Quality We have used data for North American region primarily, but for some points, we used European data due to lack of better data and use of similar technologies in these regions. Technology We have tried to use recent technology data wherever possible. Precision We have specified data range instead of single data points as there are bound to be uncertainties in the study and thus we collected data from different sources. Completeness All the expected data points required for the study in accordance with goal and scope were found and thus data is complete in this respect. Representativeness In order to consider representativeness of data from United States, we collected data from various sources. Missing Data Wherever we could not find data for a particular unit process, we have estimated or calculated it using existing data and mentioned the method used. For example, the amount of energy required to heat water before use in health faucet is calculated using specific heat and temperature difference (Refer to Appendix VI - Heating water before use in health faucet). 4

6 Assumptions: Toilet paper rolls are packed in plastic only (another method of packaging is using tissue paper which has not been considered because a relatively small portion of overall toilet paper production is packed using tissue papers). Distance from the production facility to warehouse and from warehouse to retail is assumed to be the same (Weber, Koomey, & Matthews, 2009). It is assumed that warehouse and retail stores use electricity for lighting and natural gas for heating. Health Faucets are assumed to be bought online (Since health faucet provision is not a part of regular construction practices in USA). Energy demand of distribution centers has been neglected as the time spent in a distribution center by the packages is really low (Weber, Koomey, & Matthews, 2009). We have assumed that no toilet paper is used when the health faucet and water method is chosen, in the base model. However, use of toilet paper to avoid drip drying has been considered in the sensitivity analysis. Life Cycle Impact Assessment Methodology: We have used Simapro single issue impact assessment methods. The impact categories that we have considered are Global Warming Potential and Cumulative Energy Demand. Interpretation: We have interpreted our LCI results to compare the environmental burdens of using either toilet paper or water and have presented a phase wise impacts of either method in our results. Limitations: Huge variations in data were found (Refer to Appendix X). Further study of behavioral patterns is required to ensure the relevance of assumptions made, say, for the number of toilet uses per day or the amount of toilet paper or water used. For certain unit processes, the LCI values do not include infrastructure systems while for others, infrastructure set up impacts are considered (transport from warehouse to retail, lorry tons, for instance includes impacts due to setting up of the infrastructure systems). This inconsistency is a known limitation of the study. Critical Review: A critical review is not required in this case as the results are not divulged to public. But as prime objective of this project is to hone our LCA skills, we would request the course instructor to do a critical review. Life Cycle Inventory The material and energy inputs for various phases in the life cycle of both the product systems were obtained and are as shown in Table 1 (Refer to Appendix IX for the network representation of models). Data Collection: We created a data collection sheet in the beginning to ensure capturing all requisite data as per the goal and scope of our study (Refer to Appendix VII). Primary data was collected for toilet paper and packaging material by actual measurements and for other unit processes professional life cycle inventory databases and literature sources were used. Data Calculation: The data calculations have been detailed in appendices I to VI. Ranges of data have been calculated wherever possible. For warehouse and retail electricity and natural gas consumption (both models), cardboard packaging required for transportation (health faucet), data center energy usage to order health faucet online, the minimum and maximum values have been taken as +/- 10% of the actual data values in order to do sensitivity analysis. For health faucet, material was changed from brass to plastic to see the change in emissions and cumulative energy demand for sensitivity analysis. For upper bound we assumed that the faucet may weigh up to 2 Kg instead of 1.36 Kg in the base case. 5

7 Table 1 Toilet Paper and Water Use Model Toilet Paper Model System/Phase Description Name of assembly/process Simapro Database Qt Unit Toilet Paper / Production Materials Toilet Paper Paper Towels 100% recycled FAL Franklin USA 98 8 kg Processes Cutting Rolls Cutting rolls CF BUWAL kg Toilet paper / Distribution Processes To warehouse transportation Transport, lorry >32t, EURO3/RER S Ecoinvent 4.39 tmi Warehouse heating Heat from nat. gas FAL Franklin USA Btu Warehouse electricity Electricity, production mix US/US U Ecoinvent 1527 Btu To retail store transportation Transport, lorry t, EURO3/RER S Ecoinvent 4.39 tmi Retail store heating Heat from nat. gas FAL Franklin USA Btu Retail store electricity Electricity, production mix US/US U Ecoinvent 8502 Btu Last mile customer transportacar (diesel) I IDEMAT mile Toilet paper / Disposal Disposal Wastewater system Neglected Packaging of toilet paper / Production Materials Plastic packaging LDPE ETH S LCA Food DK 10 g Tube inside packaging Cardboard cellulose S B251 BUWAL kg Box for transportation Cardboard cellulose S B250 BUWAL kg Packaging of toilet paper / Disposal Scenario Plastic packaging Packaging waste scenario/us S Ecoinvent 100 % Cardbaord packaging Waste scenario/us S Ecoinvent 100 % Water Model System/Phase Description Name of Simapro assembly/process Database Qt Unit Water / Production Catchment, treatment, and Materials distribution of drinking Tap water, at user/rer U Ecoinvent 4076 kg water Water / use Processes Domestic water heating Heat from nat. gas FAL Franklin USA MJ Water / Disposal Disposal Wastewater system Treatment, sewage, from residence, to wastewater treatment, class 2/m3/CH Ecoinvent 4076 kg Additional Life Cycles Health Faucet / Production Materials Brass Production CuZn30 I IDEMAT kg Packaging of health faucet Packaging, corrugated board, mixed fibre, single wall, at plant/ch S Ecoinvent 0.7 lb Processes Copper product manufacturing, average Manufacturing health Faucet Ecoinvent metal working/rer U 1.36 kg Health Faucet / Distribution Processes To warehouse transportation Transport, lorry >32t, EURO3/RER U Ecoinvent tmi Warehouse heating Heat from nat. gas FAL Franklin USA Btu Warehouse electricity Electricity avg. kwh USA Ecoinvent 384 Btu To distribution center transportation by air Transport, aircraft, freight, Europe/tkm/REcoinvent 0.19 tmi To distribution center transportation by road Transport, lorry t, EURO3/RER U Ecoinvent 0.49 tmi Customer Purchase via InternElectricity avg. kwh USA Ecoinvent 1.5 MJ Data Center Energy Usage Electricity avg. kwh USA - Data center us Ecoinvent 0.25 MJ Last mile truck transportationdiesel I IDEMAT kg Health Faucet / Disposal Scenario Health Faucet disposal Durable goods waste scenario/us S Ecoinvent 0.1 p 6

8 Data Validation: We validated the data to check whether the data quality requirements were met with respect to the goal and scope of the study. We also validated the material balance. Data Quality Evaluation: We evaluated the data quality using Weidema method (Refer to Appendix VIII (Weidema & Wesnaes, 1996). The results of our data quality analysis based on this method are as shown below in Table 2. We conclude from this analysis that the data was of average quality. Data Quality assessment Table 2 Data Quality Assessment Report Method type Life Cycle steps Acquisition Independence Representativeness Data age Geographical Technological Method of data supplier Correlation Correlation Toilet Paper Production Distribution-transport Disribution - energy consumption Disposal NA NA NA NA NA NA Toilet Paper Production Packaging Disposal Water Production Use Health Faucet Disposal Production- Brass Manufacturing and package Distribution-transport Disribution - energy consumption Disposal Relating Data to Unit Processes/ Functional Unit: In most cases, data was collected for specific unit processes, so relating data to unit processes was not a challenge. Other data were related to functional unit with the help of reference flows. System Boundary Refining: Based on the data collection and sensitivity analysis, we refined our system boundary to: Include heating of water to be used in the process (because of high impacts of this process in the life cycle of water and health faucet product system) Excluding toilet paper disposal from the scope because of its negligible impacts (Owens, 1996) (Madsen, 2007). The study by Munoz et al (Ivan Muñoz, Canals, Clift, & Doka, 2007) considers toilet paper in waste water treatment; however, they mention that the mass of toilet paper in waste water stream is 0.3%, which is less than our cut off criteria, and hence, we excluded the analysis of toilet paper disposal phase. Life Cycle Impact Assessment Impact Categories, Category Indicator and Characterization Model: We selected CED and GWP as the impact categories because these are some of the current scientific concerns. The category indicator for GWP was chosen as the kg CO 2 equivalent as it is the most prevalent GWP indicator. Characterization model used was Single Issue Impact Assessment Method (Cumulative Energy Demand V1.06 and IPCC 2007 GWP 100a V1.01). Since we have used single issue impact assessment method, this 7

9 step of impact assessment is already calculated in Simapro. The results obtained from the model developed are shown below in Table 3. Table 3 Toilet Paper and Water Use CED and GWP Results Toilet Paper Model Results System/Phase Description Name of assembly/process Simapro Qt Unit CED GWP Toilet Paper / Production MJ Eq Kg CO2 e Materials Toilet Paper Paper Towels 100% recycled FAL 8 kg Processes Cutting Rolls Cutting rolls CF 8 kg Toilet paper / Distribution Processes To warehouse transportation Transport, lorry >32t, EURO3/RER S 4.39 tmi Warehouse heating Heat from nat. gas FAL 826 Btu Warehouse electricity Electricity, production mix US/US U 1527 Btu To retail store transportation Transport, lorry t, EURO3/RER S 4.39 tmi Retail store heating Heat from nat. gas FAL 3062 Btu Retail store electricity Electricity, production mix US/US U 8502 Btu Last mile customer transportation Car (diesel) I 0.8 mile Toilet paper / Disposal Disposal Wastewater system Neglected Packaging / Production Materials Plastic packaging LDPE ETH S 10 g Tube inside packaging Cardboard cellulose S B kg Box for transportation Cardboard cellulose S B kg Packaging / Disposal Scenario Plastic packaging Packaging waste scenario/us S 100 % Cardbaord packaging Waste scenario/us S 100 % Total Water Model Results System/Phase Description Name of Simapro assembly/process Qt Unit CED GWP Water / Production MJ Eq Kg CO2 e Materials Catchment, treatment, and distribution of drinking water Tap water, at user/rer U 4076 kg Water / use Processes Domestic water heating Heat from nat. gas FAL 190 MJ Water / Disposal Disposal Wastewater system Treatment, sewage, from residence, to wastewater treatment, class 2/m3/CH 4076 kg Additional Life Cycles Health Faucet / Production Materials Brass Production CuZn30 I 1.36 kg Packaging of health faucet Packaging, corrugated board, mixed fibre, single wall, at plant/ch S 0.7 lb Processes Manufacturing health Faucet Copper product manufacturing, average metal working/rer U 1.36 kg Health Faucet / Distribution Processes To warehouse transportation Transport, lorry >32t, EURO3/RER U tmi Warehouse heating Heat from nat. gas FAL 208 Btu Warehouse electricity Electricity avg. kwh USA 384 Btu To distribution center Transport, aircraft, freight, transportation by air Europe/tkm/RER 0.19 tmi To distribution center Transport, lorry t, transportation by road EURO3/RER U 0.49 tmi Customer Purchase via Internet Electricity avg. kwh USA 1.5 MJ Data Center Energy Usage Electricity avg. kwh USA 0.25 MJ Last mile truck transportation Diesel I 0.22 kg Health Faucet / Disposal Scenario Health Faucet disposal Durable goods waste scenario/us S 0.1 p Total Contribution Analysis: The contributions of each phase in both the production systems were determined for both CED and GWP and are shown below in figure 2 and 3 (Refer to Appendices X-XII). 8

10 Figure 2 Contribution Analysis for GWP for Toilet paper and Water Use Figure 3 Contribution Analysis for GWP for Toilet paper and Water Use Note: Please note that the Y axis for both CED and GWP graphs for the toilet paper product system do not start at 0 but at 580 MJ Eq and 44 Kg CO 2 e respectively. 9

11 Comparative Lifecycle Assessment of Toilet Paper and Water For Toilet use Comparative Analysis: The comparison of GWP and CED of water and toilet paper for equivalent function is shown below in figure 4(Refer to Appendix XIII) Figure 4 Comparative analysis - GWP and CED Sensitivity Analysis: We conducted the assessment using the minimum and maximum quantity of various materials (ranges present in appendix - X) to do a sensitivity analysis of the data. The results obtained have been shown in Figure 5 below. The most sensitive parameters in both CED and GWP were found to be Toilet paper production and Heating of water. But, even while considering maximum values in these parameters, water still had a lower CED and GWP value. Tornado Graph of Difference in GWP (Paper - Water) Toilet_Paper_100%_Recycled / Heat from nat. gas FAL / Mean Waste Water Treatment / Tap Water / Mean (AB36) Transport, lorry t, CuZn30I Brass / Mean (AB24) Cardboard For Transportation Cardboard For Transportation Tornado Graph of difference in CED (Paper - Water) Toilet_Paper_100%_Recycled / Heat from nat. gas FAL / Mean Waste Water Treatment / Mean Tap Water / Mean (D39) Transport, lorry t, CuZn30I Brass / Mean (D27) Cutting Rolls CF / Mean (D9) Cardboard For Transportation / Copper product manufacturing, Transport, lorry >32t, Difference in GWP - (Paper - Water) Difference in CED - (Paper - Water) Figure 5 Sensitivity Analysis - GWP and CED 10

12 Temperature Difference in Water ( F) Temperature diferecne in Water ( F) Comparative Lifecycle Assessment of Toilet Paper and Water For Toilet use Life Cycle Interpretation This section includes the conclusion, recommendations and limitations of the study. Conclusion: Based on our results, we can conclude that the toilet paper product system has 13 times higher CED and 16 times higher GWP as compared to the water and health faucet product system. Even if approximately 4 Kg of toilet paper (50% of the amount used otherwise per year) is used along with water and health faucet for drying the body parts after cleansing, water remains environmentally favorable as long as the temperature difference between incoming water and the warm water in health faucet is less than 60 units (corresponding to 120 F ). A two-way sensitivity analysis with water heating and toilet production as inputs was done to identify when the toilet paper system would be environmentally preferable than the water system. The graphs have been shown below in figure 6. Toilet paper is environmentally favorable only when water heating energy requirements are really high and the amount of toilet paper used is really low. 100 Sensitivity Analysis of GWP Temp. Diff of water Vs Amount of Paper 100 Sensitivity Analysis of CED Temp. Diff of Water Vs Amount of Paper Amount of paper Used er year - Kg/Year Amount of paper used per year - Kg/Year Toilet Paper Water with Health Faucet Toilet paper Water with Health faucet Figure 6 Sensitivity Analysis Result (Varying Amount of Toilet Paper and Temperature of Water in Health Faucet) Limitations: Limitations have been stated in the scope. Recommendations: Toilet paper production is the largest contributor to CED and GWP in the toilet paper product system. If the production method could be made better by doing further research, these impacts can be reduced. Using less toilet paper is also an obvious but effective method to reduce the impacts. Since water and health faucet system is an environmentally favorable option of toilet use, it may also be recommended that people switch to using water and faucet system instead of toilet paper. This change can be facilitated by making health faucets a regular fixture in buildings. For water and health faucet system environmental impacts can be reduced by heating the water to relatively lower temperature. 11

13 References Comparative Lifecycle Assessment of Toilet Paper and Water For Toilet use CBECS. (2006). Total Energy Expenditures by Major Fuel for All Buildings. Retrieved April 2011, from ml International Standard Organization. (2006). Environmental Management: Life Cycle Assessment - Principles and Framework (Vol. Second). Switzerland: ISO. Ivan Muñoz, Canals, L. M., Clift, R., & Doka, G. (2007). A simple model to include human excretion and wastewater treatment in Life Cycle Assessment of food products. University of Surrey, Centre for Environmental Strategy. Guildford (Surrey): Centre for Environmental Strategy. Koomey, J. (1995, July). The effect of efficiency standards on water use and water-heating energy use in the U.S.: A detailed end-use treatment. Energy, 20. Labs, K. (1979). Underground Building Climate. Solar Age, 44. Madsen, J. (2007). Life Cycle Assessment of Tissue Products. Kimberly Clark. Owens, J. W. (1996). LCA Impact Assessment: Case Study Using a Consumer Product. International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment, 1(4). Toilet Paper History. (n.d.). Retrieved April 2011, from Tompkins, J. A., & Smith, J. D. (1998). The Warehouse Management Handbook. Tompkins Press. U.S. Department of Transportation, Bureau of Transportation Statistics. (2002). Freight Shipments In America: Preliminary Highlights from the 2002 commodity flow survey Plus additional data. Retrieved April 2011, from US Dept. of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2003). Consumer Expenditures in 2001, Report 966. Weber, C. L., Koomey, J. G., & Matthews, H. S. (2009). The energy and climate change impacts of different music delivery methods. Weber, C., Hendrickson, C., Jaramillo, P., Matthews, S., Nagengast, A., & Nealer, R. (2008). Life Cycle Comparison of Traditional Retail and E-commerce Logistics for Electronic Products: A Case Study of buy.com. Pittsburgh: Green Design Institute, Carnegie Mellon University. Weidema, B., & Wesnaes, M. (1996). Data Quality Management for Life Cycle Inventories - an example of using data quality indicators. Journal of Cleaner Production Vol 4, 167. i ii iii iv 12