Potato, Tomato And Lemongrass Soap

1. Sustainable Ingredients

• Potatoes:
  • Low Resource Intensity: Potatoes generally require less water compared to other crops. They also have a relatively low carbon footprint due to their short growing season and minimal use of fertilizers and pesticides in certain farming practices.
  • Local Sourcing: Potatoes are widely grown and can often be sourced locally, reducing transportation emissions.
• Tomatoes:
  • High Yield and Versatility: Tomatoes have a high yield per acre, making them a resource-efficient crop. They also grow in a variety of climates, which can reduce transportation emissions if sourced locally.
  • Reduced Waste: Tomato processing can utilize parts of the fruit that would otherwise be wasted, contributing to a circular economy.
• Lemongrass:
  • Efficient Growth: Lemongrass grows quickly and requires relatively little water. Its cultivation can be low-impact, especially when grown using organic practices.
  • Natural Pest Resistance: Lemongrass naturally repels pests, reducing the need for chemical pesticides.

2. Production Process

• Cold Process Soap Making:
  • Energy Efficiency: Many sustainable soaps are made using a cold process method, which doesn’t require heating ingredients to high temperatures. This method is more energy-efficient and results in a lower carbon footprint.
  • Minimal Packaging: Sustainable soap makers often use minimal or biodegradable packaging, further reducing the product’s environmental impact.
• Biodegradable Ingredients:
  • Ingredients like potato, tomato, and lemongrass are biodegradable, meaning they break down naturally and don’t contribute to long-term waste in landfills.

3. Carbon Footprint Considerations

• Low Emissions from Raw Materials: The production of potato, tomato, and lemongrass generally involves lower greenhouse gas emissions compared to more resource-intensive crops or synthetic ingredients.
• Local Sourcing: If the ingredients are sourced locally, transportation emissions are reduced. This is particularly relevant for ingredients like tomatoes and potatoes, which are widely cultivated in many regions.

Steps to Estimate Carbon Footprint

1. Identify the Components:
   • Ingredients: Potato, Tomato, Lemongrass
   • Production: Manufacturing and processing
   • Packaging: Material and disposal
   • Transportation: From farm to factory, and from factory to consumer
2. Gather Carbon Emission Data:
   • Potato Cultivation: Approximately 0.2 kg CO₂e per kg of potatoes (FAO, 2020).
   • Tomato Cultivation: Approximately 0.3 kg CO₂e per kg of tomatoes (Cornell University, 2018).
   • Lemongrass Cultivation: Approximately 0.1 kg CO₂e per kg of lemongrass (Journal of Agricultural Science, 2019).
   • Manufacturing & Processing: Typically 0.1-0.2 kg CO₂e per kg of soap (varies by process efficiency).
   • Packaging: Approximately 0.05-0.1 kg CO₂e per unit (depending on packaging material and weight).
   • Transportation: Typically 0.02-0.05 kg CO₂e per km for short-distance transport (varies by distance and mode).
3. Estimate the Carbon Footprint: Let's assume:
   • Ingredients:
     • 0.5 kg potatoes
     • 0.3 kg tomatoes
     • 0.2 kg lemongrass
   • Production:
     • 0.15 kg CO₂e per kg of soap
   • Packaging:
     • 0.07 kg CO₂e per unit
   • Transportation:
     • 0.03 kg CO₂e per km (let’s assume 50 km for simplicity)
   Example Calculation for a Batch of Soap (1 kg):
   • Ingredients CO₂e:
     • Potatoes: 0.5 kg * 0.2 kg CO₂e/kg = 0.1 kg CO₂e
     • Tomatoes: 0.3 kg * 0.3 kg CO₂e/kg = 0.09 kg CO₂e
     • Lemongrass: 0.2 kg * 0.1 kg CO₂e/kg = 0.02 kg CO₂e
   • Production CO₂e:
     • Soap Production: 1 kg * 0.15 kg CO₂e/kg = 0.15 kg CO₂e
   • Packaging CO₂e:
     • 0.07 kg CO₂e per unit
   • Transportation CO₂e:
     • 50 km * 0.03 kg CO₂e/km = 1.5 kg CO₂e (assuming 1 kg of product transported)
   Total Estimated Carbon Footprint:
   • Ingredients: 0.1 + 0.09 + 0.02 = 0.21 kg CO₂e
   • Production: 0.15 kg CO₂e
   • Packaging: 0.07 kg CO₂e
   • Transportation: 1.5 kg CO₂e
   Total Carbon Footprint per Unit:
   • Total CO₂e: 0.21 + 0.15 + 0.07 + 1.5 = 1.93 kg CO₂e

Summary

4. References & Scientific Explanation

• Potato Sustainability: According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), potatoes have a relatively low environmental impact compared to other staple crops due to their efficient use of resources (FAO, 2020).
• Tomato Efficiency: Research from Cornell University indicates that tomatoes have high yields and can be grown with less environmental impact when compared to other vegetables (Cornell University, 2018).
• Lemongrass Benefits: A study in the Journal of Agricultural Science highlights lemongrass as a low-impact crop due to its minimal water and pesticide needs (Journal of Agricultural Science, 2019).