LCA's are completed particularly in relation to how to develop a sustainable world where less waste and more reuse is implemented. Technical Fact Sheet-Tungsten.Technical Fact Sheet- Tungsten, EPA, Jan. 2014, www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2014-03/documents/ffrrofactsheet_contaminant_tungsten_january2014_final.pdf. Dbendorf, Switzerland, 2011, 12. The life cycle for disposable razors must first be assessed by the products design. The life of a typical razor blade is not an easy one. Highly effective in driving partnerships, public policies and projects that accelerate the shift towards a sustainable built environment. Int J Life Cycle Assess 2001;6:7680, 13. In their study of Life cycle assessment of wastewater treatment technologies treating petroleum process waters, Vlaopolous et al. Information on PPO plastics are difficult to find, as most of the data is about how it is made, and the chemical makeup and stability of the plastic, rather than information on the decomposition rate or waste used in the making of it. What is Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)? | iPoint-systems Approximately 24 L/min of water are used by the autoclave for cooling, for a total of 960 L of water needed to sterilize an LMA 40 times. Disposable razors are a commonly used item for most Americans, and over two billion razors are thrown away every year in the United States (Shabecoff). From the *Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, College of Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA; School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, Yale University, New Haven, CT; Department of Anesthesiology, Yale School of Medicine/YaleNew Haven Hospital, New Haven, CT. Funding: Department of Anesthesiology, Yale School of Medicine. Life Cycle Assessment and Costing Methods for Device - PubMed Reusable LMA cleaning was observed to proceed as follows. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) explained - PR Sustainability Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) Hazard Summary. 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. (ii)Access paramount's competitive position? How One Facility Completely Eliminated the Use of TCE Schick Razor Blade Manufacturing in Knoxville, Tennessee. 2017. Anaesthesia 2007;62:3814, 5. van Zundert AAJ, Fonck K, Al-Shaikh B, Mortier E. Comparison of the LMA-Classic with the new disposable soft seal laryngeal mask in spontaneously breathing adult patients. The product has several innovative elements, due to the implementation of eco-design principles, such as: (1) introduction of biopolymers (namely polylactic acid (PLA) and Mater-bi), (2) relevant . Manufacturing Processes (RAZOR): KAI FACTORY: KAI Group. KAI FACTORY | KAI Group, www.kai-group.com/global/en/kai-factory/process/razor/. For example, the designer might think that the manufacturing stage would be the most impactful, when in reality for some products its the raw material extraction or its use phase. In this section we also need to state the assumptions made during the process: To begin the process of creating the razor blades, tungsten carbide, which is the metal that the blades and other optional components are made of, must first be manufactured. There are various ways that the product can get there. The differences in environmental impacts between these devices strongly favor reusable devices. may email you for journal alerts and information, but is committed Bics direct emissions were from: a combustion of fossil fuels, primarily natural gas and fuel oil, mainly used to heat buildings. Life cycle assessment of a disposable and a reusable surgery instrument Life Cycle Assessment - IPP - Environment - European Commission Despite its ability to be recycled, it often ends up in the landfill as many people dont know how to properly recycle it, people are too lazy to recycle, or the plastics arent labeled properly (Polypropylene. Wikipedia). It is resistant to fats and almost all organic solvents which helps it hold up in the damp and warm conditions of a bathroom and shower (Polypropylene. Wikipedia.org). Terracycle is a company that was created to address the issue of recyclable products that often end up in landfills. Int Anesthesiol Clin 2010;48:139, 24. What IS Life Cycle Assessment? There is uncertainty in several model assumptions. Terracycle. Small components such as inks and labels on the packaging and on the sterilization indicator strips are expected to have negligible impacts and were excluded from the analysis. The mixed plastics used in most of the razor take hundreds of years to break down in landfill, and the blades, while the metal is recyclable if separated from the rest of the product, poses a safety hazard for both the consumer and the employees who handle recyclables. Municipal Solid Waste Generation, Recycling, and Disposal in the United States: Facts and Figures for 2010. The aim of this paper is to analyse substitutes to disposable plastic tableware using the Life Cycle Assessment methodology. 1. 11 / Piece. 1. Disposable LMAs are made largely from PVC plastic, which is associated with a number of health concerns that are gaining increased attention.23 Historic efforts to minimize routine medical incineration resulted in the 1998 Memorandum of Understanding between the American Hospital Association and the US Environmental Protection Agency, largely on the basis of recognition of the potential carcinogenic effects of burning PVC plastics. Applying this method of assessment is complex and difficult and translating the theory into a . Scope of the life cycle assessment for disposable and reusable laryngeal mask airways (LMAs). Disposable BIC razors are hollow and made using injection molding, but making the razors hollow is only possible because of the fluid nature of polystyrene (The Bic Razor, Still the Sharpest of the Bunch.). Packaging is an . Razor blades dull quickly after repeated use, and are recommended to be used only three to ten times, making them a cheap alternative to reusable cartridges. Uncertainties about the correctness of the model. The purpose of this assessment is to compare two different types of razors: cartridge based vs. double edge safety razor. BIC states that it prides itself on producing affordable, safe, and quality razors for its customers worldwide. 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. A 2005 analysis published by U.K. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a modeling tool for quantifying the environmental impacts of products and processes. Current LMA procurement decisions are typically based on perceived costs. This is only the operational energy consumption, but you still have to take into account all the energy used in the design and installation of the machinery. Williams S, Henderson K. A survey into the number of times laryngeal masks are used. Shabecoff, Philip. Environment Agency (Life Cycle Assessment of Disposable and Reusable Nappies in the U.K.) investigated the impact of three diapering systems: cloth diapers with home wash, cloth diapers with commercial laundry, and disposable diapers. The major problem with recycling this plastic however, is that during the heating process, the plastic degrades in quality making it less valuable (What Is Tungsten Carbide or Hard Metal?, AZoM.com). Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Sustainability Assessment - Fraunhofer Gillette Sensor3 Sensitive Men's Disposable Razors : Target There are three main components in a disposable razor. These containers, mainly wooden pallets and spools, are subject to European legislat Manufacturers can do this solely by machine or by human eye/hand plus machine for extra quality assurance. The disposable LMA consisted largely of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic, and the reusable LMA consisted primarily of silicone. 6,474. American Medical Association (AMA). These steps are not necessarily conducted in succession, but iteratively. This is shown through their commitment to their eco-design process and new recycling programs that are undergoing testing. Innovative and strategic advisor to leading philanthropies, corporates, governments, international institutions and NGOs. Your message has been successfully sent to your colleague. Biron, Michel. : Uses, Benefits, and Safety Facts. ChemicalSafetyFacts.org, 17 June 2019, www.chemicalsafetyfacts.org/polystyrene/. Chu L, Mathur P, Trudell J, Brock-Utne J. 769 0 obj <>stream Accessed 28 Nov. 2019. www.thefabricator.com/thefabricator/article/stamping/die-basics-101-intro-to-stamping, https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2019/08/07/landfill-waste-how-prevent-disposable-razor-plastic-pollution/1943345001/, http://www.greatrecovery.org.uk/resources/3682/, www.plasticsnewseurope.com/article/20091119/PNE/311199986/bic-disposable-razor-1975, www.nytimes.com/1982/04/11/business/how-bic-lost-the-edge-to-gillette.html, www.sciencedirect.com/topics/chemical-engineering/polyphenylene-oxides, www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2014-03/documents/ffrrofactsheet_contaminant_tungsten_january2014_final.pdf, www.kai-group.com/global/en/kai-factory/process/razor/, www.epa.gov/toxics-release-inventory-tri-program/reducing-trichloroethylene-tce-waste-fabricated-metals-sector, www.madehow.com/Volume-5/Safety-Razor.html, www.recyclingtoday.com/article/the-recycling-potential-of-polypropylene/, www.ssab.com/company/sustainability/sustainable-offering/steel-life-cycle?di=discover21C927E58ECC41198B78D915F7E3E2AF, BEHR Oil Based Interior/Exterior Primer and Sealer, California Academy of Sciences Living Roof Life Cycle, UC Davis Social Sciences and Humanities Building, A-Z List for Digital & Electronics Topics. 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. The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment. Redesigning the Razor Life Cycle Assessment.The Great Recovery, www.greatrecovery.org.uk/resources/3682/. Zhang TW, Dornfeld DA. 1.Establish the purpose of the Eco-Indicator calculations To go from raw materials to final product involves many steps and heavy energy input. Environmental Life-Cycle Assessment of Disposable Bioreactors - BioProcess InternationalBioProcess International Upstream Processing Bioprocessing begins upstream, most often with culturing of animal or microbial cells in a range of vessel types (such as bags or stirred tanks) using different controlled feeding, aerating, and process strategies. Iatrogenic transmission of the CreutzfeldtJakob disease agent has been reported in >250 patients worldwide, and 6 of these were linked to the use of contaminated equipment, all of which were neurosurgical related. Europe, Plastic News. At every point during planning, production, and even marketing, the quantity of consumption should be analyzed to adjust business models accordingly. In this paper, this will be exactly what we will discuss, from what materials go into making a disposable razor and how they are made, to what happens to it after its tossed out, and all the energy and waste that is used and expelled throughout its lifecycle. 2011, Packaging Technology and Science. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Solid Waste Management Consultants The natural half life of a large stock of reusable laryngeal mask airways at a teaching hospital. There are land, air, and water-based transportation methods. PDF A Comparative Life Cycle Assessment of Compostable and Reusable Takeout Since BICs products do not go to a single location it is impossible to give an exact number for BICs energy usage in transportation. Address e-mail to [emailprotected]. Growing awareness of the negative impacts from the practice of health care on the environment and public health calls for the routine inclusion of life cycle criteria into the decision-making process of device selection. Reducing Trichloroethylene (TCE) Waste in the Fabricated Metals Sector.EPA, Environmental Protection Agency, 9 Aug. 2016, www.epa.gov/toxics-release-inventory-tri-program/reducing-trichloroethylene-tce-waste-fabricated-metals-sector. 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 . A Life Cycle Assessment of Reusable and Single-Use Central V - LWW Overcash M. Comparison of reusable and disposable medical textiles. Life cycle assessment of a disposable and a reusable surgery instrument set for spinal fusion surgeries Leiden A, Cerdas F, Noriega D, Beyerlein J, Herrmann C. Life cycle assessment of a disposable and reusable surgery instrument set for spinal fusion surgeries. But this is expected from a large brand like Gillette. Disposable razors are created for a short user time, and an easy answer to the growing populations fast paced lifestyles and needs for shaving: they are primarily designed to be simple, economical, and disposable (Safety Razor). Each razor can last up to 12 gentle shaves. The final product is then gathered and prepared to go through the final step which is the packaging of razors. You may be trying to access this site from a secured browser on the server. Erosion time for the blades was difficult to find, yet tungsten steel does erode faster than the plastic elements to the disposable razor due to the carbon alloys brittle makeup. Main methodological choices . An estimated 1 L of tap water was used to wash and rinse 1 LMA (or 40 L over a lifetime of 40 uses). Properly Recycle Your Disposable Razors | Leafygreen.info After the reusable LMA was washed and dried, it was then placed into a heat seal pouch, made of polypropylene film and paper. This obviously makes the results less accurate, but it can still be used as a general indicator of impact. Next, the razors will be tested for flaws, strength, and razor hardness and sharpness (Safety Razor, madehow.com). Overall, reusable LMAs were found to have fewer negative environmental effects in nearly all categories, typically contributing <50% of the impacts of disposable LMAs. After getting the sharpened blade they are coated with a thin film to allows them to not lose sharpness after only a few shaves (Manufacturing Processes). Staff, Creative Mechanisms. Contribution: This author helped conduct the study and analyze the data. To begin the process of making tungsten carbide, the tungsten must first be extracted. The total energy consumption of the Babyplast in its four-step molding cycle of setup, fill, cool, and reset was approximately 4.5 kilowatts (Weissman et.al). Shavers. BICWorld, www.bicworld.com/en/our-products/shavers. Flying staff to meetings, shipping, and distributing the product is the highest offender for the planet. What is Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)? - Sphera The metal must be mined and extracted from the mountain causing an emission of fossil fuels and greenhouse gases (Wang). It has a low density and is quite flexible and heat resistant, therefore making it an easily moulded and extruded material. Sinha R, Sunder R. Retiring reusable laryngeal mask airways after 40: an anaesthetist's dilemma. Materials were matched with appropriate life cycle inventory records from the ecoinvent database.11 Injection molding was assumed for the hard plastic pieces (polycarbonate and ABS plastic) and thermoforming for the softer plastics (silicone, polypropylene, and PVC). Product Ecology (PR) Consultants. Then we collected and structured the data in phase 2. Considering human health concerns, the majority (60%) of impacts for the disposable LMA is due to the production of polymers, PVC in particular, with emissions from incineration contributing another 15%. A comparative cradle to grave life cycle assessment (LCA) was conducted to determine and analyze the environmental impacts of using disposable acrylic speculums versus using reusable stainless-steel speculums in a women's university health clinic where around 5,000 pelvic exams are conducted on a yearly basis. Life cycle assessment - Environmental Assessment and Optimization Group Bic Disposable Razor (1975). Plastics News Europe, 19 Nov. 2009, www.plasticsnewseurope.com/article/20091119/PNE/311199986/bic-disposable-razor-1975. The advantage of using this method compared to a more comprehensive LCA method is that its much simpler to carry out and to gather the required information because the data regarding the most common materials and processes has been collected in advance. 11,772. Overall, while the materials for disposable razors are few, and the products basic design makes it appear simplistic, the products lifecycle is far from simple. There is also an additional resin called fluorine resin that is applied to the blades, which allows them to freely glide on the skin. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/cjd/qa_cjd_infection_control.htm. What does a business area's assessment of agreements, income, and value implicate? The full life cycle environmental impacts can be challenging to model, because modern production "pathways" can involve numerous interacting technologies, each of which can consume materials and energy that are themselves products of complex production processes.
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