life cycle assessment of disposable razors

Health care facilities can decrease their environmental impacts by using reusable LMAs, by selecting disposable LMA models that are not made of certain plastics, and by ordering in bulk from local distributors. Life Cycle Assessment - IPP - Environment - European Commission The 1% of the material that is recycled however, goes through a 5 step recycling process which is collecting, sorting, cleaning, reprocessing, and producing new products. Sensitivity and simple life cycle cost analyses were conducted to aid in interpretation of the results. Yet, tungsten has been found to deposit particles into the soil that causes some contamination, making it a recent concern to the United States Environmental Protection Agency. After the reusable LMA was washed and dried, it was then placed into a heat seal pouch, made of polypropylene film and paper. This is because of the complexity of the life cycle, from the acquisition of materials to the management of a product at the end of its life. What Is Tungsten Carbide?" Environmental Life-Cycle Assessment of Disposable Bioreactors The sheets are then cut out using a process called die stamping, using a tool called a die stamp which is a special, one-of-a-kind precision tool that cuts and forms sheet metal into a desired shape or profile, where the blades are die stamped at a rate of 800-1,200 strokes a minute into the desired shape and size (Hedrick, Die Basics 101: Intro to Stamping.). A 20-mL disposable syringe was used during device placement to inflate the cuffs of both types of LMAs to ensure proper fit, and a procedure was then performed. Land transport like trains and trucks use diesel as fuel and that produced 138,700 BTU (Energy Consumption by Mode of Transportation.). Wolters Kluwer Health Life Cycle Assessment: Biopharma SUTs - BioProcess BIC may be doing as much as possible to lessen the impact of the production of disposable razors, but due to the massive production it will because unsustainable, because of the energy input, material consumptions, and unrecyclable nature of disposable razors. Siddle, Dave. 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 company urges users to mail packages over 15 lbs., in order to reduce the waste of mail as well, yet is not necessary. 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. Gillette's slogan 'Gillette - the best a man can get' is famous the world over. Teoh W, Lim Y. Anesth Analg 1993;77:1079, 21. We purchase the product in a store, use the product for removing unwanted body and facial hair until it eventually dulls, and then we toss it in the bathroom trash, unaware of where it goes or where it came from. Contribution: This author helped design the study and prepare the manuscript. Where regulations permit, disposal of LMA-related waste as regular municipal waste, as opposed to biohazardous waste, should also reduce the adverse health effects stemming from medical waste incineration. Please try after some time. It is a thermoplastic that exhibits high heat resistance, dimensional stability, and accuracy and is often combined with other plastics, such as polystyrene, due to various problems in its processing (Poly(p-Phenylene Oxide, Wikipedia.org). On the basis of such criteria, single-use disposable medical devices are increasingly supplanting reusable devices in the United States (US) and elsewhere.1 Although purchase and maintenance costs for disposable devices are perceived to be less than for reusables, this fails to account for indirect costs to society from the environmental impacts attributable to the entire life cycle of a device. 2011, Packaging Technology and Science. In this paper, many details about the life cycle stages were not included. However, it is fairly easy to find what the disposable razors components are made of, due to its simplicity. What's the Difference Between Disposable and Reusable Razors for Women?Venus, www.gillettevenus.com/en-us/womens-shaving-guide/learning-to-shave/disposable-razors-vs-refillable-razors/. All of which provides an easy user experience, but, takes a toll on the planet. The plastic handle and head of the disposable razor consists of a hybrid of polypropylene, polystyrene, and phenylene oxide, also known as PPO. Disposable Razors in Bulk, Bulk Razors with Knife Caps, Individually Packaged Disposable Razors Bulk, Suitable for Hotels, Shelters, Homeless People, Nursing Homes, Charities, Churches (60) 4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars (9) $22.39 $ 22. There is no public data entailing the details of this plastics recyclability. Life Cycle Assessment - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics The blades do eventually dissipate within the landfill, yet, it is not cost-free, as the tungsten waste can be ultimately harmful to the environment. Life Cycle Approach to Plastic Pollution - Life Cycle Initiative Our news to your inbox Click to subscribe to LC Net [email protected] About Us Our Activities & Tools Reports & Training News & Events Get Involved Life Cycle Approach to Plastic Pollution Activities Life Cycle Assessment in High-Impact sectors The blades and lubricating strip were too light to be measured with our equipment so their weights were rounded to 1g. However, because of the new awareness to their wasteful impact on the environment, some companies have begun to provide solutions to the disposable razor issue. Premature disposal of reusable LMAs has significant environmental impacts (as well as costs, discussed below). 1982, www.nytimes.com/1982/04/11/business/how-bic-lost-the-edge-to-gillette.html. London In this case its the life-cycle of the cartridge-based razor. BIC states that it prides itself on producing affordable, safe, and quality razors for its customers worldwide. Energy Consumption by Mode of Transportation. Energy Consumption by Mode of Transportation | Bureau of Transportation Statistics, Bureau of Transportation Statistics, www.bts.gov/content/energy-consumption-mode-transportation. McGain F, McAlister S, McGavin A, Story D. The financial and environmental costs of reusable and single-use plastic anaesthetic drug trays. 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. Here, Great Recovery Intern Sebastian de Cabo Portugal discusses Life Cycle Assessments. Previous studies have examined the relative environmental profiles of reusables and disposables with regard to medical textiles7 and anesthetic drug trays.8 The present study uses life cycle assessment to evaluate the life cycle impacts of disposable and reusable LMAs across several categories of environmental and human health impacts. These are the reasons why I will carry out an Eco-Indicator Assessment instead of a full LCA. 39 ($0.37/Count) FREE delivery Thu, Mar 2 on $25 of items shipped by Amazon. 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 . Comparative life cycle assessment of disposable and reusable - PubMed Conducting a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA): from Theory to Practical Shabecoff, Philip. your express consent. Introduction Paper diapers are roughly divided into two types: those for infants and those for adults. 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. The next step the blade goes through is called polishing in which is done using strops made out of cowhide to get the desired blade edge shape, the blade is then cut into the sizes of the individual blades, which are then sent off to be inspected. For waste management, switching from 100% incineration to 100% landfilling typically reduced impacts across all categories by 5%10%, with the national average scenario results decreasing in between. Certain practices would further reduce the environmental impacts of reusable LMAs, such as increasing the number of devices autoclaved in a single cycle to 10 (25% GHG emissions) and improving the energy efficiency of the autoclaving machines by 10% (8% GHG emissions). The majority of life cycle human health impacts of disposable LMAs are caused by PVC use in packaging and the device itself. Safety Razor.How Products Are Made, www.madehow.com/Volume-5/Safety-Razor.html. This is where the razors are portioned into their desired packaging amounts, that will be sent off to consumers. 2019, science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/green-science/polystyrene-recycling.htm. EPA. Polycarbonate production (14%), transportation via truck (15%), thermoforming (13%), and waste disposal (11%) cause the majority of the remaining emissions. Poly(p-Phenylene Oxide). Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 28 Sept. 2019, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poly(p-phenylene_oxide). 3 in Table 1). My next blog post will show some design recommendations using sketches and 3D-printed prototypes. Disposable Razors at Best Price in India - IndiaMART The more capital-intensive option of increasing the energy efficiency of the autoclave machines by 10% decreases GHG emissions by 8%. Finally, the razors are packaged in cardboard and plastic, and shipped out to stores and markets globally for customers to purchase and use. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a modeling tool for quantifying the environmental impacts of products and processes. 0 The life cycle of plastics Life cycle assessment (LCA) considers the environmental aspects associated with a product over its lifespan. The human-health-related impact categories are pertinent to those developing standards for the delivery of health care. Life cycle assessment - Universitetet i Agder GaBi includes its own database containing life cycle inventories of processes such as polypropylene manufacturing, transportation, and landfill . Polypropylene. Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 30 Nov. 2019, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polypropylene. A Comparative Life Cycle Assessment of Disposable and Reusable Packaging for the Distribution of Italian Fruit and Vegetables. Williams S, Henderson K. A survey into the number of times laryngeal masks are used. Here's How to Keep Your Razors from Contributing to Landfill Waste. USA Today, Gannett Satellite Information Network, 7 Aug. 2019, https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2019/08/07/landfill-waste-how-prevent-disposable-razor-plastic-pollution/1943345001/. Redesigning the razor - Life Cycle Assessment - Great Recovery In order to carry out the Eco-Indicator analysis method, the methodology described below has to be followed: There are so many variables that you have to take into account when calculating how much of an impact a product is having on the environment and our resources. Dbendorf, Switzerland, 2011, 12. The Bic corporation considers their environmental impact and takes steps to reduce as much waste as possible. Despite manufacturer-recommended cleaning processes, and various modifications thereof, proteinaceous material may remain on reusable LMAs.27 Of particular concern, these residues may expose patients to prions causing transmissible spongiform encephalopathy, CreutzfeldtJakob disease. 2006 have considered a process water flow of 10,000 m3/day for a time period of 15 years (system design life) as the function unit used in order to compare the different wastewater treatment processes . 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. The use of LCA to introduce life-cycle thinking into decision-making for the purchase of medical devices in the NHS. This manuscript was handled by: Steven L. Shafer, MD. This reflects the equivalence between 40 disposable LMAs and their associated materials, waste, and 40 uses of 1 reusable LMA. 3 Ways to Recycle Safety Razor Blades - wikiHow Life The total amount of direct GHG emissions in 2016 was estimated at 8,689 teqCO2, i.e. A life cycle assessment (LCA) is a tool for analyzing the environmental impacts and resources used throughout a product's life, from raw materials extraction to production, and extending through product use and disposal. To bring the metal to its final form, it is heated to extremely high temperatures to remove the binders, and to mold the metal particles together, in turn, creating a very strong and durable metal compound (Siddle, How Is Tungsten Carbide Formed?). The GTG LCIs are added together to give a cradle-to-gate (CTG) life cycle inventory . 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. Because of its high stability, PPO is a very widely used plastic for many different household items. Disposable and reusable LMAs typically differ in material composition, packaging, reuse, and cost. Each razor can last up to 12 gentle shaves.

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