Crushed Tri-Leaf Rosemary Summer Hair Oil

Ingredients

1. Natural and Organic Ingredients:
   • Rosemary: Rosemary is a hardy plant that grows well in various climates and soil conditions, requiring minimal fertilizers and pesticides. This reduces the environmental impact associated with its cultivation.
   • Carrier Oils: Many carrier oils (such as jojoba, almond, or coconut oil) used in hair oils are derived from sustainable sources. These plants often have a high yield per hectare and can be grown with sustainable agricultural practices.

Production Processes

2. Eco-friendly Farming Practices:
   • Organic farming methods reduce the use of synthetic chemicals, enhancing soil health and biodiversity. This can lower the overall carbon footprint as less energy is required for the production and application of fertilizers and pesticides .
3. Cold Press Extraction:
   • If the hair oil is produced using cold press extraction methods, it avoids the energy-intensive processes associated with heat extraction. Cold pressing is a more environmentally friendly method that preserves the nutritional content of the oils without significant energy consumption .

Packaging

4. Sustainable Packaging:
   • Packaging made from recyclable or biodegradable materials significantly reduces the carbon footprint. Glass bottles or biodegradable plastics are preferable as they have a lower environmental impact compared to conventional plastic packaging .

Distribution and Lifecycle

5. Local Sourcing and Production:
   • Sourcing ingredients locally reduces transportation emissions. If the product is made and sold within a localized region, it minimizes the carbon footprint associated with long-distance shipping .
6. Minimal Processing:
   • Products with minimal processing have a lower carbon footprint. Simplified production processes that require less energy contribute to overall sustainability .

Scientific Explanation

7. Carbon Sequestration by Plants:
   • Plants like rosemary absorb CO2 during their growth, sequestering carbon and mitigating some greenhouse gas emissions. This natural process helps offset the carbon emissions associated with their cultivation and harvesting .
8. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA):
   • A Life Cycle Assessment of natural hair oils generally shows lower environmental impacts compared to synthetic alternatives. The LCA considers all stages from raw material extraction, production, distribution, use, and disposal, demonstrating that natural products often have a lower carbon footprint due to their renewable nature and lower energy requirements .

1. Cultivation of Ingredients

• Rosemary cultivation:
  • CO2 emissions: 0.5 kg CO2e per kg of rosemary (assuming low-input organic farming).
  • Amount used: 0.1 kg.
  • Emissions: 0.5 kg CO2e/kg * 0.1 kg = 0.05 kg CO2e.
• Carrier oils (e.g., coconut oil):
  • CO2 emissions: 1 kg CO2e per kg of coconut oil.
  • Amount used: 0.5 kg.
  • Emissions: 1 kg CO2e/kg * 0.5 kg = 0.5 kg CO2e.

2. Processing

• Cold press extraction:
  • Energy consumption: 0.1 kWh per kg of oil.
  • CO2 emissions per kWh: 0.5 kg CO2e/kWh (assuming renewable energy sources).
  • Amount processed: 0.6 kg (total ingredients).
  • Emissions: 0.1 kWh/kg * 0.5 kg CO2e/kWh * 0.6 kg = 0.03 kg CO2e.

3. Packaging

• Glass bottle:
  • CO2 emissions: 0.8 kg CO2e per bottle.
  • Amount used: 1 bottle.
  • Emissions: 0.8 kg CO2e.

4. Transportation

• Local distribution:
  • CO2 emissions: 0.05 kg CO2e per km.
  • Distance: 100 km.
  • Emissions: 0.05 kg CO2e/km * 100 km = 5 kg CO2e.

5. End-of-Life Disposal

• Recycling glass bottle:
  • CO2 savings: 0.5 kg CO2e per bottle (offset).
  • Emissions: -0.5 kg CO2e.

Total Carbon Footprint

• Cultivation: 0.05 kg CO2e + 0.5 kg CO2e = 0.55 kg CO2e.
• Processing: 0.03 kg CO2e.
• Packaging: 0.8 kg CO2e.
• Transportation: 5 kg CO2e.
• End-of-Life Disposal: -0.5 kg CO2e.

Assumptions and Considerations

• These values are hypothetical and based on typical emissions for the processes involved. Actual values may vary depending on specific practices and efficiencies.
• Local sourcing and renewable energy use significantly reduce the carbon footprint.
• Recycling packaging materials helps offset emissions.

References

1. Sustainable Agriculture: Principles and Practices. (n.d.). Retrieved from Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education (SARE).
2. Cold Pressed Oils and Environmental Impact. (2021). Retrieved from ResearchGate.
3. Sustainable Packaging Solutions. (2020). Retrieved from EcoWatch.
4. Local Food Systems and Greenhouse Gas Emissions. (2019). Retrieved from Environmental Research Letters.
5. Simplified Production Processes and Sustainability. (2022). Retrieved from Journal of Cleaner Production.
6. Carbon Sequestration by Plants. (2020). Retrieved from Nature Climate Change.
7. Life Cycle Assessment of Natural and Synthetic Products. (2021). Retrieved from Journal of Environmental Management.