Cell Point Reusable Non Woven D cut Bag W 12” x H 16”

1. Material Composition

• Non-Woven Polypropylene (PP): The bag is made from non-woven polypropylene, which is a type of plastic that is lightweight and durable. Unlike traditional plastic bags made from polyethylene, non-woven PP can be reused multiple times before degrading. This reduces the need for single-use plastics, which contribute to environmental pollution.
• Biodegradability: While non-woven PP is not fully biodegradable, it is recyclable, and with proper disposal, it has a lower environmental impact compared to other non-recyclable plastics.

2. Manufacturing Process

• Energy Efficiency: The production of non-woven PP bags is generally more energy-efficient compared to the production of traditional plastic or paper bags. The non-woven process involves bonding fibers together using heat or chemical means, which consumes less energy than weaving or knitting fabrics.
• Reduced Resource Consumption: The production process uses fewer raw materials and water compared to conventional fabric or paper bag production. This reduces the overall environmental footprint.

3. Usage and Longevity

• Reusability: One of the primary reasons these bags are considered sustainable is their reusability. A single non-woven D-cut bag can replace hundreds of single-use plastic bags over its lifetime, significantly reducing the amount of waste generated.
• Durability: These bags are durable and resistant to tearing, which extends their lifespan. The longer a product can be used, the fewer resources are needed to replace it, contributing to lower overall carbon emissions.

4. End-of-Life and Recycling

• Recyclability: Non-woven PP bags can be recycled, reducing the environmental impact at the end of their life cycle. Recycling helps in reducing the demand for virgin materials and the associated energy consumption and emissions.
• Lower Landfill Impact: If disposed of properly, non-woven PP bags have a smaller environmental footprint compared to single-use plastics, which are more likely to end up in landfills or the ocean.

5. Carbon Footprint

• Reduced Carbon Emissions: Due to their lightweight nature, the carbon emissions associated with the transportation of non-woven PP bags are lower compared to heavier materials like cotton or jute. Additionally, the energy-efficient manufacturing process contributes to lower emissions during production.
• Life Cycle Assessment (LCA): Studies have shown that the overall carbon footprint of non-woven PP bags is lower when considering their entire life cycle—from raw material extraction, production, and usage to disposal—especially when they are reused multiple times.

Scientific Justification and References

1. Life Cycle Assessment Studies: Research has shown that reusable bags made from non-woven PP have a lower environmental impact compared to single-use plastic bags, particularly when reused multiple times. For instance, a study published by the Environment Agency in the UK highlights that non-woven PP bags have a significantly lower carbon footprint when reused more than 10 times compared to single-use plastic bags .
2. Material Efficiency: According to the American Chemistry Council, the production of non-woven PP is more efficient in terms of resource use and energy consumption compared to other materials like cotton, which require extensive water and energy for cultivation and processing .
3. Reusability and Waste Reduction: A report by Zero Waste Scotland emphasizes that the reusability of non-woven PP bags plays a critical role in reducing the overall environmental impact, as it decreases the demand for new bags and reduces plastic waste .

1. Raw Material Extraction and Processing

• Material: Non-woven bags are typically made from polypropylene (PP), a type of plastic derived from fossil fuels.
• Carbon Footprint Contribution:
  • Production of polypropylene involves the extraction and refining of crude oil, which is energy-intensive and produces significant CO2 emissions.
  • Average carbon footprint of producing 1 kg of polypropylene: 1.8 to 2.5 kg CO2e (CO2 equivalent).

2. Manufacturing Process

• Production: The manufacturing process for non-woven bags includes spinning polypropylene into fibers, bonding them together, and cutting/sealing the bags into the desired shape.
• Energy Use: Manufacturing processes consume energy, which varies depending on the technology used and the energy source (e.g., fossil fuels vs. renewable energy).
• Carbon Footprint Contribution:
  • Energy consumed during production contributes additional CO2 emissions.
  • Estimated emissions: 0.5 to 1.5 kg CO2e per kg of polypropylene.

3. Transportation

• From Manufacturer to Retailer: The carbon footprint from transportation depends on the distance, mode of transport (ship, truck, etc.), and fuel efficiency.
• Carbon Footprint Contribution:
  • Average emissions for transportation: 0.05 to 0.15 kg CO2e per kg of product (depends on distance and mode).

4. Usage Phase

• Durability and Reusability: The carbon footprint per use decreases with the number of times the bag is reused. The longer the bag is used, the lower its impact per use.
• Carbon Footprint Contribution:
  • If a bag is reused multiple times (e.g., 50 times), the emissions per use are reduced significantly.

5. End of Life

• Disposal Methods: Non-woven polypropylene bags can be recycled, but if they are landfilled or incinerated, they contribute additional CO2 emissions.
• Carbon Footprint Contribution:
  • Landfill: Produces methane, a potent greenhouse gas, but in small quantities.
  • Incineration: Generates CO2, but energy can be recovered if waste-to-energy facilities are used.
  • Estimated emissions: 0.2 to 0.5 kg CO2e per kg of polypropylene depending on the disposal method.

Example Carbon Footprint Calculation:

• Weight of the bag: 50 grams (0.05 kg)
• Carbon footprint for producing polypropylene: 2.0 kg CO2e per kg
• Manufacturing emissions: 1.0 kg CO2e per kg
• Transportation emissions: 0.1 kg CO2e per kg
• Disposal emissions: 0.3 kg CO2e per kg
• Reuse assumption: 50 uses

Calculation:

1. Raw Material Emissions: $$0.05\text{kg}\times 2.0\text{kg CO2e/kg}=0.1\text{kg CO2e}$$
2. Manufacturing Emissions: $$0.05\text{kg}\times 1.0\text{kg CO2e/kg}=0.05\text{kg CO2e}$$
3. Transportation Emissions: $$0.05\text{kg}\times 0.1\text{kg CO2e/kg}=0.005\text{kg CO2e}$$
4. Disposal Emissions: $$0.05\text{kg}\times 0.3\text{kg CO2e/kg}=0.015\text{kg CO2e}$$
5. Total Carbon Footprint (Before Reuse): $$0.1+0.05+0.005+0.015=0.17\text{kg CO2e}$$
6. Carbon Footprint Per Use (Assuming 50 Uses): 0.17 kg CO2e50 uses=0.0034 kg CO2e per use=3.4 g CO2e per use\frac{0.17 \, \text{kg CO2e}}{50 \, \text{uses}} = 0.0034 \, \text{kg CO2e per use} = 3.4 \, \text{g CO2e per use}50uses0.17kg CO2e​=0.0034kg CO2e per use=3.4g CO2e per use

Conclusion:

1. PlasticsEurope - Data on the carbon footprint of polypropylene.
2. Journal of Cleaner Production - Studies on life cycle assessments of reusable bags.
3. Environmental Science & Technology - Transportation emissions data.