Scientific Sustainability Report: Sandal Handwash

1. Product Overview

Sandal Handwash is a liquid hand-cleansing formulation containing mild surfactants, sandalwood fragrance, moisturizers, and purified water. Its sustainability performance is influenced by ingredient sourcing (especially surfactants), manufacturing energy use, packaging materials, and wastewater impact.

2. Ingredient Sustainability Assessment

Surfactants (SLES/SLS or plant-based alternatives)

• SLES/SLS are petroleum-derived but highly biodegradable (>95% in 28 days).

• Plant-based alternatives (coco-glucoside, decyl glucoside) have a lower carbon footprint and improved biodegradability.

Sandalwood Fragrance

• Natural sandalwood oil has a high ecological sensitivity due to over-harvesting of Santalum species.

• Sustainable alternatives include lab-grown or IFRA-certified synthetic sandalwood aroma molecules with lower biodiversity impact.

Moisturizers (Glycerin, Aloe Extracts)

• Plant-derived glycerin is biodegradable and non-toxic.

• Botanical extracts have minimal environmental burden.

Water

• Forms 60–70% of the formulation; minimal environmental risk.

3. Packaging Sustainability

• PET/HDPE bottles are recyclable but contribute to plastic waste.

• Switching to 30–50% PCR (post-consumer recycled) plastic lowers emissions by 40–60%.

• Refill pouch options can further reduce plastic intensity.

4. Environmental Impact Summary

• Carbon Footprint: Moderate (major contributors are surfactants + packaging).

• Biodegradability: High—SLES/SLS degrade rapidly in wastewater treatment.

• Water Impact: Low toxicity when diluted post-use.

• Waste Generation: Packaging is the primary environmental burden.

5. Scientific Carbon Footprint Calculation

Assumptions for a 250 ml Sandal Handwash Bottle

• Surfactants (SLES/SLS): 12% of formula

• Emission factor for SLES: 3.1 kg CO₂e/kg

• Packaging: PET bottle weighs 22 g (0.022 kg)

• PET emission factor: 2.15 kg CO₂e/kg

Step 1 — Carbon Emissions from Surfactants

Surfactant quantity:
250 ml × 12% = 30 ml (≈ 30 g ≈ 0.03 kg)

Carbon footprint from surfactants:
0.03 kg × 3.1 kg CO₂e/kg = 0.093 kg CO₂e

Step 2 — Carbon Emissions from PET Packaging

0.022 kg × 2.15 kg CO₂e/kg = 0.0473 kg CO₂e

Step 3 — Total Carbon Footprint

Total CO₂e = Surfactants (0.093) + Packaging (0.0473)
= 0.1403 kg CO₂e per 250 ml bottle

Final Carbon Footprint:

≈ 0.14 kg CO₂e per bottle

6. Sustainability Recommendations

• Replace SLES/SLS with plant-based surfactants to reduce CO₂ emissions by ~25–35%.

• Use PCR plastic or refill pouches to reduce plastic footprint.

• Replace natural sandalwood oil with sustainably certified substitutes to reduce biodiversity impact.

• Improve pump design to reduce plastic mass by 10–15%.

References

1. European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) – Surfactants Biodegradability Data

2. Plastics Europe – Life Cycle Inventory of PET Packaging

3. IFRA Standards for Fragrance Ingredients

4. IPCC Emission Factors for Raw Material Production

5. UNEP Guidelines on Sustainable Personal Care Formulations