Life Cycle Assessment Of Cloth Hangers: Plastic Vs Steel

1.What organisations (regulatory and/or voluntary) in Australia promote energy efficiency in general and in which way for products you use in the chosen place?

2.Identify the opportunities to decrease energy consumption including but not limited to replacement of devices, timer switches, manual switching, programmed switches, off-peak power usage, alternative fuel etc. and select two options for improvement.  

3. Perform the cost benefit analysis (simple payback period calculation is sufficient) for three improvement options  

The purpose of this report is provide an alternative of the best cloth hanger that is sustainable for use in the long run. This is done by comparing two alternatives of cloth hangers, the plastic and the steel hanger. The bottom line of this assessment is on the environment effects, the economic sustainability as well as the social sustainability (Fan, et al., 2011). The assessment is done in a cycle of the product’s lifetime right from the raw materials to the retirement or the disposal.

The service required is a suitable hanger for use in hanging cloths efficiently, a hanger that is cost effective, socially responsible and environmentally responsible. We look for product that is eco- friendly and is environmentally sustainable (Frano, 2009).

GaBi program software will be used for analysis. The inputs are the raw materials used in the manufacturing prices (Gehrer, et al., 2014). The outputs on the other hand include the emissions and the bi-products. The assessment include the assembly process as well. The final stage of the assessment is the time of disposal or the retirement stage.

GaBi is an ISO certified software. As such, it follows a procedure that is recommended by the ISO in the life cycle analysis.

The process of analysis is as simple as indicated by the screen shots. In a nutshell, the process involves definition of scope, inventory analysis and finally evaluation of the impact. This implies that the assessment is actually an iterative process repeating again and again in order to achieve the desired outcome (Goverdhan & Saikat, 2010)

Raw materials required for the manufacture of one piece of each of the alternatives is given below.  

The following output was obtained from the step by step analysis using GaBi.

Conclusion

The above results shows the outcome of the impact analysis of the production and use of the metallic (steel) and plastic cloth hangers (Litvinova & Kosulina, 2009). The results have been produced in a GaBi software. From the results above, it is clears that the two alternative have diverse effects in the environment and to the health of the users as well. However, the results demonstrates the best alternative, that which has little effects and hence can be considered to be sustainable in the long run (Lopez, et al., 2014).

We can discuss each of the alternative at a time. The production of steel cloth hang is evidently expensive resulting into a relatively expensive hanger at the end of the day compared to the plastic counterpart. However, the steel hanger is relatively strong and durable hence can stay for long. This implies that one does not have to have frequent purchase of this product. Arguably, this implies that in the long run, it is economically sustainable (Madgin, 2010).

Conclusion

A steel hanger does not have dangerous emissions into the atmosphere during the production process. This implies that it is arguably environmentally friendly and sustainable. They do not have dangerous effects to the life of plants (Meyers, 2012).

A plastic hanger on the hand have emissions into the atmosphere resulting from the decomposition of the hydrocarbons (Mizgirev, 2015). While these emission might improve the life of plants by providing carbon dioxide, they are only sustainable up to a certain level beyond which they become toxic and non-sustainable (Muthu & Senthilkannan, 2015). Therefore, we could argue that long term production of plastic hangers could cause serous dangerous effects into the atmosphere. This could eventually result into the depletion of the ozone layer and hence climate change. Climate change could again have diverse effects on the life of plants hence thwarting the going green agenda. Plastic hangers are not bio- degradable and hence could cause degradation on the fertility of the soil (Poul, 2009). This implies that they are not really sustainable.

Given the above insights, it is prudent to say that the best alternative is the steel hanger. Steel hanger is more sustainable compared to the plastic counterpart.

References

Ban, et al., 2012. The role of cool thermal energy storage (CTES) in the integration of renewable energy sources (RES) and peak load reduction. Journal of Energy, Volume 48, p. 10.

Battarbee, R. W. & Binney, H. A., 2008. Natural Climate Variability and Global Warming || Holocene Climate Variability and Global Warming. Volume 10, p. 6.

Bulakho, V. L. & Gasso, V. Y., 2008. Role of Amphibians and Reptiles in Creation of an Ecologiccal Buffer Against Technogenic Pollution. Volume 02, p. 4.

Chau, C. K., Leung, T. M., NG & W, Y., 2015. A review on Life Cycle Assessment, Life Cycle Energy Assessment and Life Cycle Carbon Emissions Assessment on buildings. Journal of Appied Energy, Volume 143, p. 19.

Christensen, T. T., 2010. Solid Waste Technology & Management (Christensen/Solid Waste Technology & Management) || Introduction to Waste Management. Volume 10, p. 16.

Connolly, D., Mathiesen, B. V. & Ridjan, I., 2014. A comparison between renewable transport fuels that can supplement or replace biofuels in a 100% renewable energy system. Journal of Energy, 73(016), p. 16.

Curran & Marry, A., 2012. Life Cycle Assessment Handbook (A Guide for Environmentally Sustainable Products) || Life Cycle Assessment as a Tool in Food Waste Reduction and Packaging Optimization - Packaging Innovation and Optimization in a Life Cycle Perspective. Volume 02, p. 23.

References

Das, K., Dey, U. & Bhaumik, R., 2011. A comparative study of lichen Biochemistry and air pollution status of urban, semi urban and industrial area of hooghly and burdwan distric, west bengal. Volume 7, p. 13.

Dehnen, H. A., 2011. Global warming in the light of an analytic model of the earth's atmosphere. Volume 153, p. 15.

De, P. P., Wcquier, William & Cool, W., 2013. Level Radioactive Waste Management; Spent Fuel, Fissile Material, Transuranic and High-Level Radioactive Waste Management - The Belgian Program for Low and Intermediate Short Lived Waste Management: From 1985 to License Application. Volume 01, p. 09.

Diadchenko, O. & Kovalenko, L., 2008. Estimation of Atmospheric air Pollution Extent on City Highways by Vehicles with Account of Traffic management. Volume 01, p. 04.

Dosmukhamedov, N. K., 2014. Choice and Justification of the Initial Charge in Processing Middlings, Recycled Materials and Slag Lead Production. Volume 67, p. 3.

Eleazer, P. R., Lisa, M. C., Maark, A. W. & Andres, F. C., 2012. Comparison of algae cultivation methods for bioenergy production using a combined life cycle assessment and life cycle costing approach. Volume 126, p. 9.

Fan, H., Zhaoping, Y., Hui, W. & Xiaoliang, X., 2011. Estimating willingness to pay for environment conservation: a contingent valuation study of Kanas Nature Reserve, Xinjiang, China. 180(107), p. 9.

Frano, B., 2009. Transition to renewable energy systems with hydrogen as an energy carrier. Journal of Energy, 34(10), p. 5.

Gehrer, M., seyfried, H. & Staudacher, S., 2014. Life cycle assessment of the production chain of oil-rich biomass to generate BtL aviation fuel derived from micraoalgae. Volume 09, p. 9.

Goverdhan, M. & Saikat, S., 2010. Probing Fluorine Interactions in a Polyhydroxylated Environment. 20(10), p. 1.

Litvinova, T. & Kosulina, T., 2009. Recycling of Oil and Gas Complex Solid Wastes. Volume 10, p. 1.

Lopez, et al., 2014. Assessing changes on poly(ethylene terephthalate) properties after recycling: Mechanical recycling in laboratory versus postconsumer recycled material. Volume 147, p. 11.

Madgin, R., 2010. Reconceptualising the historic urban environment: conservation and regeneration in Castlefield, Manchester, 1960–2009. Journal of Planning Perspectives, 25(10), p. 20.

Meyers, R. A., 2012. Encyclopedia of Sustainability Science and Technology || Solid Waste solid waste Disposal solid waste disposal and Recycling solid waste recycling , Introduction. Volume 3, p. 1472.

Mizgirev, D. S., 2015. The concept of improving environmental engineering systems for integrated waste management ships (IWMS). Volume 01, p. 4.

Muthu, S. & Senthilkannan, 2015. Environmental Footprints and Eco-design of Products and Processes] Environmental Implications of Recycling and Recycled Products || Recycled Paper from Wastes: Calculation of Ecological Footprint of an Energy-Intensive Industrial Unit in Orissa, India. Volume 287, p. 24.

Poul, A. O., 2009. Reviewing optimisation criteria for energy systems analyses of renewable energy integration. Journal of Energy, Volume 34, p. 10.

Raban, K., 2009. Substantiation of necessity of performing regular monitoring researches of the Azov sea water Pollution By Oil Products. Volume 10, p. 03.

Sarancha, V., Vitale, K., Oreskovic, S. & Sulyma, 2014. Life cycle assessment in healthcare system optimization. Introduction. Volume 10, p. 6.

Seong, R. L., Donghee, P. & Jong, M. P., 2008. Analysis of effects of an objective function on environmental and economic performance of a water network system using life cycle assessment and life cycle costing methods. Volume 144, p. 11.

Simone, M. & Rana, P., 2013. Improving the environmental performance of bio-waste management with life cycle thinking (LCT) and life cycle assessment (LCA). Volume 18, p. 7.

Simon, P., Jiri, K. & Igor, B., 2008. Integrating waste and renewable energy to reduce the carbon footprint of locally integrated energy sectors. Journal of Energy, 33(10), p. 9.

Suroviatkina, D. G. & Semenova, I. V., 2014. Energy- Saving Process of "Hardor Topsoe" (Denmark) Production of Sulpur Acid from Hydrogen Sulfide. Volume 01, p. 2.

Surviatkina, D. G., 2008. Water environment conservation in a closed water body by high concentrated oxygen water. Journal of Water Science & Technology, 58(10), p. 6.

Trogl, H. P. & Bravdyova, T., 2012. Comparison of compatibility of study programs Waste management (J. E. pukyn? university in ústí nad Labem, Czech Republic) and Ecobiotechnology (knrtu, Kazan, Russia). Volume 15, p. 04.

Veronica, B. M., Amy, E. L. & Laura, A. S., 2011. A benchmark for life cycle air emissions and life cycle impact assessment of hydrokinetic energy extraction using life cycle assessment. 36(109), p. 7.

Voloschynska, S. S., 2008. Bioindication of the Heavy Metals Environmental Pollution. Volume 02, p. 05.

Xiliang, Z., WAng, R., Huo, M. & Eric, M., 2010. A study of the role played by renewable energies in China's sustainable energy supply. Volume 35, p. 8.