Appu Sweets Non-woven Mini Parcel Bag W 9” x H 6” x G 6”

1. Material Composition and Resource Efficiency

The Eco Sweets Non Woven Mini Parcel Bag is made from non-woven polypropylene (PP), a material known for its durability, recyclability, and resource efficiency. Polypropylene is derived from the polymerization of propylene, a byproduct of petroleum refining and natural gas processing. The production process of polypropylene is relatively energy-efficient compared to other synthetic fibers, leading to a lower overall carbon footprint.

2. Manufacturing Process

Non-woven fabrics are manufactured using processes like spunbonding, which involves extruding the polymer into continuous filaments and bonding them thermally. This method is energy-efficient and generates less waste compared to traditional textile manufacturing. The efficiency of the production process contributes to the overall lower carbon footprint of the product.

3. Reusability and Longevity

One of the key factors contributing to the sustainability of the Eco Sweets Non Woven Mini Parcel Bag is its reusability. Unlike single-use plastic bags, non-woven polypropylene bags are designed to be reused multiple times. The extended lifespan of these bags reduces the need for frequent replacements, thereby decreasing the overall demand for raw materials and energy resources.

4. Lightweight Design

The lightweight nature of non-woven polypropylene bags means that less material is required to produce each bag, further reducing the environmental impact. Additionally, the reduced weight contributes to lower transportation emissions, as more bags can be transported at once, reducing the number of trips and associated fuel consumption.

5. Recyclability

Non-woven polypropylene bags are recyclable, and the recycling process for polypropylene is well-established. Recycling these bags at the end of their life cycle helps to close the material loop, reducing the need for virgin materials and the energy required for their production. This contributes to a lower carbon footprint by minimizing the environmental impact associated with raw material extraction and processing.

6. Scientific Explanation of Carbon Footprint

The carbon footprint of a product is determined by the greenhouse gas emissions associated with its entire life cycle, including raw material extraction, manufacturing, transportation, usage, and end-of-life disposal. For the Eco Sweets Non Woven Mini Parcel Bag, several factors contribute to its low carbon footprint:

• Efficient Material Production: Polypropylene production emits fewer greenhouse gases compared to other plastics due to its efficient polymerization process.
• Energy-Efficient Manufacturing: The spunbonding process used for non-woven fabrics is less energy-intensive and produces minimal waste.
• Reusability: The ability to reuse the bag multiple times significantly reduces the overall carbon footprint by spreading the environmental impact over a longer period.
• Recyclability: Recycling polypropylene bags reduces the demand for new raw materials and the energy required for their production, further lowering the carbon footprint.

1. Raw Material Extraction and Processing
2. Manufacturing
3. Transportation
4. Usage
5. End-of-Life Disposal

1. Raw Material Extraction and Processing

Non-Woven Fabric Composition:

• Non-woven bags are often made from polypropylene (PP), a type of plastic.
• Carbon Footprint: The carbon footprint of polypropylene production is approximately 1.8 kg CO2e per kg of PP (Source: PlasticsEurope, 2021).

Example Calculation: If a mini parcel bag weighs 0.1 kg and is made entirely of polypropylene, the raw material carbon footprint is: $\text{Carbon Footprint}=\text{Weight of Bag}\times \text{CO2e per kg}$ $\text{Carbon Footprint}=0.1\text{kg}\times 1.8\text{kg CO2e/kg}=0.18\text{kg CO2e}$

2. Manufacturing

Energy Use in Production:

• The energy required to produce non-woven bags can vary. For simplicity, let's use an average estimate of 0.5 kg CO2e per kg of non-woven fabric (Source: Environmental Protection Agency, 2020).

Example Calculation: For a 0.1 kg bag: $\text{Carbon Footprint}=\text{Weight of Bag}\times \text{CO2e per kg}$ $\text{Carbon Footprint}=0.1\text{kg}\times 0.5\text{kg CO2e/kg}=0.05\text{kg CO2e}$

3. Transportation

Transportation Emissions:

• Transporting goods has an associated carbon footprint depending on the distance and mode of transport. For simplicity, assume transportation contributes 0.1 kg CO2e per kg of product.

Example Calculation: For a 0.1 kg bag: $\text{Carbon Footprint}=\text{Weight of Bag}\times \text{CO2e per kg}$ $\text{Carbon Footprint}=0.1\text{kg}\times 0.1\text{kg CO2e/kg}=0.01\text{kg CO2e}$

4. Usage

Usage Emissions:

• Non-woven bags are often used multiple times. However, this typically contributes minimally compared to other stages. For a rough estimate, usage emissions are often negligible in comparison.

5. End-of-Life Disposal

End-of-Life Treatment:

• If the bag is recycled, the carbon footprint is lower. If it's sent to landfill, it will emit greenhouse gases as it decomposes. For a rough estimate, disposal might add around 0.05 kg CO2e.

Example Calculation: For the end-of-life treatment: $\text{Carbon Footprint}=0.05\text{kg CO2e}$

Total Carbon Footprint Calculation

Adding up all the stages: $\text{Total Carbon Footprint}=\text{Raw Material}+\text{Manufacturing}+\text{Transportation}+\text{End-of-Life}$ $\text{Total Carbon Footprint}=0.18\text{kg CO2e}+0.05\text{kg CO2e}+0.01\text{kg CO2e}+0.05\text{kg CO2e}$ $\text{Total Carbon Footprint}=0.29\text{kg CO2e}$

References:

• Polypropylene Production and Properties: PlasticsEurope. (n.d.). Polypropylene (PP). Retrieved from PlasticsEurope
• Life Cycle Assessment of Polypropylene Bags: Franklin Associates. (2018). Life Cycle Assessment of Grocery Bags in Common Use in the United States. Retrieved from American Chemistry Council
• Energy Efficiency in Non-Woven Fabric Production: Wilson, R. (2019). Nonwoven Fabric Manufacturing Processes. Textile Today. Retrieved from Textile Today