Life Cycle of 240 mL Insulated Beakers: Cradle to Door

Abstract

This study aims to determine the carbon footprint of 240 mL thermal glasses to provide reliable information on a common situation. The methodology was a life cycle analysis from cradle to door, with a focus on measuring CO₂ as a contribution of greenhouse gas; The EPS 240cc thermal cup was used as a functional unit; the study was carried out in a company in Durán, Guayas, Ecuador; The production and supply processes of raw materials, inputs, suppliers and logistics were studied; For the calculations of the carbon footprint, the technical characteristics of the equipment with significant use of electrical energy and of the sources that use fossil fuels such as diesel were used. It was possible to evaluate the environmental impact in the framework of the category of global warming by CO₂ per functional unit of 0.0046 kg per thermal glass based on a production of 13223.9 units; The environmental sensitivity regarding was analyzed the life cycle of the cradle to the door in 96.7% in the obtaining of raw material and production of thermal glasses and 3% by river transport. Industrial production generates COemissions₂ into the atmosphere, leaving a carbon footprint with respect to the functional unit, it is necessary to use environmentally friendly materials.