Manbhavan Designer Non Woven Fabric Bag W 15” x H 16.5” x G 5”

1. Material Choice

• Material: Non-woven fabrics are made from fibers that are bonded together using mechanical, thermal, or chemical processes, rather than weaving or knitting.
• Sustainability: Many non-woven fabrics are made from recycled materials such as recycled plastics or sustainable fibers, which reduce the need for virgin materials. This recycling process minimizes waste and resource consumption.

2. Production Process

• Manufacturing: The production of non-woven fabrics generally consumes less energy compared to traditional textile manufacturing methods. Non-woven fabrics often require fewer processing steps and use less water and energy, contributing to a lower carbon footprint.
• Reference: According to the International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, non-woven fabric production is typically more energy-efficient compared to woven and knitted fabrics, due to fewer processing steps and lower energy requirements (source: International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, 2021).

3. Durability and Reusability

• Durability: Non-woven fabric bags are durable and can withstand repeated use, which extends their lifecycle compared to single-use bags. This durability helps reduce the frequency of replacement and the overall number of bags produced and disposed of.
• Reusability: By promoting the reuse of bags, the need for disposable bags is reduced, which in turn lowers the environmental impact and carbon footprint associated with bag production and disposal.

4. Recycling and End-of-Life

• Recyclability: Many non-woven fabrics are recyclable or biodegradable. At the end of their life cycle, these bags can be recycled into new products or disposed of in an environmentally friendly manner.
• Reference: Research published in the Journal of Cleaner Production indicates that non-woven fabrics made from recycled materials or biodegradable options contribute to a lower environmental impact due to their end-of-life disposal advantages (source: Journal of Cleaner Production, 2020).

5. Carbon Footprint

• Lower Emissions: The carbon footprint of non-woven fabric bags is generally lower due to the reduced energy consumption in manufacturing, the use of recycled materials, and the extended lifecycle of the product. According to a study by the European Commission, non-woven polypropylene bags have a significantly lower carbon footprint compared to single-use plastic bags and traditional fabric bags (source: European Commission, 2019).

Summary

Framework for Calculating Carbon Footprint

1. Define the Scope
   • Raw Material Extraction: Assess the carbon emissions associated with the production of the raw materials used (e.g., polypropylene or recycled materials).
   • Manufacturing: Calculate emissions from energy use in the production process, including machinery and labor.
   • Transportation: Account for the emissions from transporting raw materials to the manufacturing facility and finished products to the end-user.
   • Usage: Consider the emissions related to the typical lifespan and usage of the bag.
   • End-of-Life: Estimate emissions from disposal or recycling of the bag.
2. Gather Data
   • Raw Material Data: Obtain data on the carbon emissions associated with producing 1 kg of the raw material (e.g., polypropylene). For instance, the carbon footprint of polypropylene is approximately 6.3 kg CO₂ per kg of material (source: Plastics Europe, 2020).
   • Manufacturing Data: Identify the energy consumption during the manufacturing process and its associated emissions. For non-woven fabric production, this could be around 2-4 kg CO₂ per kg of fabric.
   • Transportation Data: Use emission factors for transportation. For example, transporting goods by truck may have a footprint of approximately 0.12 kg CO₂ per ton-km (source: IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories, 2006).
   • Usage Data: Estimate emissions based on the average number of uses. Non-woven bags typically have a low footprint due to their reusability.
   • End-of-Life Data: Include emissions from disposal or recycling. Recycling non-woven fabric may have a lower footprint compared to landfilling.
3. Perform Calculations Here's a simplified example calculation:
   • Raw Material: Assume the bag weighs 100 grams and is made from polypropylene with a footprint of 6.3 kg CO₂/kg. $$\text{CO₂ from raw material}=0.1\text{ kg}\times 6.3\text{ kg CO₂/kg}=0.63\text{ kg CO₂}$$
   • Manufacturing: Assume 3 kg CO₂/kg fabric and the bag is made from 0.1 kg of fabric. $$\text{CO₂ from manufacturing}=0.1\text{ kg}\times 3\text{ kg CO₂/kg}=0.3\text{ kg CO₂}$$
   • Transportation: Assume 0.02 kg CO₂ per bag.
   • Usage: Assume negligible emissions per use; the bag is used 100 times.
   • End-of-Life: Assume recycling footprint of 0.05 kg CO₂ per bag.
   Total Carbon Footprint: $$\text{Total CO₂}=0.63\text{ kg (raw material)}+0.3\text{ kg (manufacturing)}+0.02\text{ kg (transportation)}+0.05\text{ kg (end-of-life)}$$ $$\text{Total CO₂}=0.99\text{ kg CO₂}$$