Case study : disposable versus reusable diapers

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Life Cycle Interpretation

A systematic technique to evaluate information from inventory and impact assessment.

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Objectives
i)

ii)

Provide recommendation based on result and limitation based on previous step on LCA Provide an understandable and complete result presentation of LCA comply with the goal and scope

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Key Steps to Interpreting the Results of the LCA

Step Step Step

1 : Identify Significant issues 2 : Evaluate the Consistency of the data 3 : Draw conclusions

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case study : disposable Vs reusable diapers

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introduction
Whether to use disposable or reusable diapers is a controversial issues. Disposable diapers have become extremely popular in recent years. However, disposable diapers use valuable natural resources and after one use are thrown into already overflowing landfills.

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objective
To

check and interpret result from different case studies To make a comparison between disposal and reusable diapers from the previous case study

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Steps conducting life cycle interpretation

Step 1 : Identify Significant Issues
Product Process

: disposable and reusable diapers

- different raw materials of disposable (pulp and paper, absorbent gel, LDPE film PP fabric) and reusable (raw cotton)

- additional of laundry process for

reusable diapers
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Step 2 : Evaluate consistency of the Data

assumptions
The

number of daily diapers changes (frequency rate) is the same for both disposable and reusable diapers although disposable generally require fewer changes due to their greater absorbency. 90% of all reusable are laundered at home only 10% of consumers using reusable diapers subscribe to a diaper service.

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Case Study A Result

30 25 20 15 10 5 0 Raw materials (lbs) Energy (10,000Btu) Water (10gal) Emissions to Air (lbs/10) Waste water Process effluents waste (lbs) (lbs/100) Postconsumer waste (lbs) Disposable Reusable

Figure 1: Disposable vs Reusable Diapers 4/27/12

Case Study B Result

160 140 120 100 80 60 40 20 0 Raw materials (lbs) Energy (1000Btu) Water (gal) Emissions to Air (lbs/100) Waste water effluents (lbs/100) Process waste (lbs) Postconsumer waste (lbs) Disposable Reusable

Figure 2: Disposable vs Reusable 4/27/12 Diapers

DISPOSABLE REUSABLE Raw material H- pulp and L- raw cotton paper, absorbent gel, LDPE film PP fabric Energy (consume) L- production H- production, laundry (electricity washing, drying) Water (consume) L- production H- production, laundry (washing) Emissions to air (generate) L- production H- production, laundry(washing machine and dryer emits green house gas)

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Step 3 : Conclusion Both of the figures showed reusable diapers produce more emissions although the value was different This consistency of the effect led to conclusion that Reusable diapers consume more energy and more water consume less raw materials generate more emissions to air and water generate less waste

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Conclusion
The most important part for Interpretation is consistency, if one of case studies differs, acceptable conclusion cannot be made The difference may come from; i) Different inventory data ii) Different method iii) Boundary choice

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THANK YOU

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