Life-cycle analysis increases the information consumers can use to evaluate and choose the most ecoefficient bag based on their own profile.
August, 08, 2011 - Braskem, the largest thermoplastic resin producer in the Americas, Fundação Espaço ECO and Instituto Akatu have presented a comparative survey on the use of different types of bags for transporting goods purchased at supermarkets and the economic and environmental impacts of each alternative. The analysis was performed by Fundação Espaço ECO, an entity that promotes sustainable development by sharing knowledge and technology applied to ecoefficiency, social and environmental education and environmental restoration. The survey was released with the support of Instituto Akatu, a reference in the field of raising awareness to encourage conscientious consumption.
To ensure that the discussion of the best bag alternative is based solely on scientific studies, the life cycles of various bag options available in the Brazilian market were analyzed, which included disposable bags (made from traditional polyethylene, sugarcane polyethylene and additives to promote biodegradation) and some reusable bags (paper, raffia, cloth and non-woven fabric).
This unprecedented survey in Brazil considers a number of current conditions in the country, including the technology and production methods used and the resulting environmental impacts of certain scenarios involving the use of the bags and the disposal of trash by consumers. The alternatives included in the survey were evaluated over the period of one year, considering a number of scenarios involving: the amount of goods purchased; the frequency of visits to supermarkets; the frequency of use for trash disposal; the type of raw material used to make the bag; the bag's cargo capacity; the bag's cost; the number of times the bag is used; whether it is reused as a garbage bag and whether the bag is recycled.
The life-cycle analysis (ACV) was expanded to consider what is known as "ecoefficiency", which evaluates the environmental impacts and cost of each alternative, encompassing everything from the extraction of raw materials to the disposal of the bag, including its production and use. Therefore, the entire production chain was considered and analyzed when studying the environmental impacts and cost of each of phase.
"With this survey, we sought to promote an informed discussion of the issue while also encouraging a broad and scientific vision of the various environmental impacts associated with our habits for transporting goods bought at supermarkets. We need to ensure that consumers feel they are making an informed decision when choosing which type of bag to use," said Jorge Soto, Braskem’s Sustainable Development Officer. "The main winner of this analysis and the right decisions made by consumers is nature and, as a result, society as a whole," he said.
The survey demonstrated that the best bag option depends on the scenario in which it is used, which may vary depending on the volume of goods purchased, the number of trips to the supermarket and the frequency of trash disposal. "We analyzed a number of scenarios and were able to identify two trends. On the one hand, disposable plastic bags are the most ecoefficient in situations in which consumers purchase large amounts of goods, go to the supermarket more frequently and dispose of more trash more frequently, which ensures that the plastic bags are used to dispose of trash. On the other hand, reusable cloth or plastic bags are more ecoefficient in situations in which consumers purchase a smaller amount of goods, go to the supermarket less frequently and dispose of less trash less frequently, with the purchase of a few bags to dispose of trash," said Sonia Chapman, the president of Fundação Espaço ECO.
"The conscientious consumption of the environmental and social impacts guide the decisions and behavior of conscientious consumers, who always seek to increase the positive impacts and reduce the negative ones. This study will serve as a parameter to enable consumers to make decisions based on scientific data, putting their conscience into practice when choosing which bag to use at the supermarket by selecting the best alternative for their own reality based on the scenarios presented by our survey," said Hélio Mattar, Chairman of Instituto Akatu. Complementing this thought, Sonia Chapman said, "it is important that the survey be used in a manner that ensures all agents make a contribution to reducing impacts and help change future outcomes. The focus should be on continually improving social and environmental impacts and this depends on producers, in the various stages of the production process, and on the decisions taken by consumers."
Source: Braskem