Chamomile- Lavender & Juniper -Face Toner

1. Use of Natural Ingredients:

• Chamomile, Lavender, and Juniper: These botanicals are known for their soothing and therapeutic properties. Chamomile is a gentle, anti-inflammatory agent, lavender provides calming effects, and juniper has natural astringent properties. The cultivation of these plants typically involves organic farming practices, which reduce the reliance on synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. Organic farming is less energy-intensive and has a lower environmental impact than conventional farming, leading to reduced greenhouse gas emissions .
• Sourcing: If these ingredients are sourced locally, it further reduces the carbon footprint associated with transportation. Local sourcing cuts down on the emissions that would otherwise result from importing ingredients from distant locations.

2. Minimal Processing:

• Cold-Press Extraction and Steam Distillation: These methods are often used to extract essential oils from plants. These processes require less energy compared to synthetic chemical processes and do not involve harsh chemicals, leading to a cleaner production process with fewer emissions .
• Natural Preservatives: The use of natural preservatives, rather than synthetic ones, minimizes the need for energy-intensive chemical processes and reduces the environmental impact associated with the production and disposal of synthetic chemicals.

3. Packaging:

• Eco-Friendly Packaging: If the Chamomile-Lavender & Juniper Face Toner is packaged in recyclable or biodegradable materials, it contributes to sustainability. Eco-friendly packaging reduces waste and the carbon footprint associated with the production and disposal of conventional plastic packaging.
• Refillable Options: Offering refillable bottles or packaging reduces the need for single-use containers, thus lowering the carbon footprint related to packaging production.

4. Manufacturing Processes:

• Low-Energy Manufacturing: Sustainable production practices such as using renewable energy sources (e.g., solar, wind) for manufacturing can significantly reduce the carbon footprint. If the toner is produced in a facility that prioritizes energy efficiency, this would contribute to a lower carbon footprint.
• Water Efficiency: Using minimal water in the production process or employing water recycling methods reduces the environmental impact and conserves resources, which also indirectly lowers the carbon footprint.

5. Distribution and Transportation:

• Local Distribution: If the product is distributed within a local or regional area, the carbon emissions associated with transportation are minimized. Shorter supply chains typically result in a lower carbon footprint compared to global distribution networks.
• Lightweight Packaging: Reducing the weight of packaging also decreases the energy required for transportation, further reducing the product’s carbon footprint.

6. Consumer Use and Disposal:

• Biodegradability: If the toner is made from natural, biodegradable ingredients, it is less likely to contribute to pollution and environmental degradation after use. This reduces the long-term environmental impact, contributing to overall sustainability.
• Reduced Need for Additional Products: If the toner effectively combines multiple skincare benefits (e.g., cleansing, soothing, moisturizing), it reduces the need for additional products, thereby lowering the overall carbon footprint of a consumer's skincare routine.

Scientific Justification

• Carbon Sequestration by Plants: Chamomile, lavender, and juniper plants naturally sequester carbon dioxide from the atmosphere during their growth. This process reduces the net carbon footprint of the product as the carbon absorbed by these plants partially offsets the emissions generated during production and transportation .
• Renewable Resources: The reliance on plant-based, renewable resources rather than petroleum-based ingredients lowers the overall carbon footprint. Plants can be grown and harvested repeatedly, making them a more sustainable choice compared to non-renewable resources.
• Life Cycle Assessment (LCA): Conducting an LCA of the Chamomile-Lavender & Juniper Face Toner would likely reveal that its carbon footprint is lower compared to conventional toners made with synthetic ingredients. This is due to the reduced emissions associated with natural ingredient sourcing, energy-efficient production, and eco-friendly packaging.

1. Raw Material Extraction and Sourcing:

• Chamomile, Lavender, and Juniper:
  • Calculate the emissions from the cultivation of these plants, including the use of fertilizers, water, and energy for harvesting.
  • Consider the transportation emissions if the ingredients are sourced from a different location.
• Packaging Materials:
  • Assess the carbon footprint of producing packaging materials, such as glass bottles, plastic caps, and labels.
  • Consider emissions from the extraction and processing of raw materials used in the packaging.

2. Manufacturing Process:

• Energy Consumption:
  • Calculate the energy used in the extraction of essential oils (e.g., steam distillation) and the production of the toner.
  • Include energy used for blending, mixing, and packaging the toner.
  • If renewable energy sources are used, adjust the carbon emissions accordingly.
• Water Usage:
  • Estimate the carbon footprint associated with water usage, including the energy required for water treatment and distribution.

3. Transportation:

• From Raw Material Suppliers to Manufacturing Site:
  • Calculate the carbon emissions from transporting raw materials to the manufacturing site. This includes emissions from trucks, ships, or airplanes.
• Distribution to Retailers or Consumers:
  • Assess the emissions from transporting the finished product to retailers or directly to consumers.
  • Consider different modes of transportation and distances.

4. Product Use:

• Energy for Application:
  • Although minimal, you can consider the energy used by consumers when applying the toner (e.g., if it requires refrigeration or if it's part of an energy-intensive skincare routine).
• Frequency of Use:
  • Estimate the carbon emissions over the product's lifetime based on how often it is used.

5. End of Life:

• Packaging Disposal:
  • Calculate the emissions associated with disposing of or recycling the packaging.
  • Consider the recycling rate in different regions and the carbon footprint of recycling processes.

Estimating Emissions for Each Stage

Let’s assume we have some generalized data (these are rough estimates and would need real data for accuracy):

1. Raw Material Extraction and Sourcing:
   • Chamomile: 0.5 kg CO₂e per kg
   • Lavender: 0.6 kg CO₂e per kg
   • Juniper: 0.4 kg CO₂e per kg
   • Packaging (glass bottle): 1 kg CO₂e per kg of glass
   • Packaging (plastic cap): 2 kg CO₂e per kg of plastic
2. Manufacturing Process:
   • Energy Use: 10 kWh per batch of toner (assuming 0.233 kg CO₂e per kWh)
   • Water Use: 1 m³ per batch (assuming 0.298 kg CO₂e per m³)
3. Transportation:
   • Raw Materials to Manufacturing: 0.05 kg CO₂e per kg of material per km (assuming local sourcing, distance = 50 km)
   • Finished Product Distribution: 0.1 kg CO₂e per kg of product per km (distance = 500 km)
4. Product Use:
   • Minimal, assume 0.01 kg CO₂e per use
5. End of Life:
   • Recycling: 0.3 kg CO₂e per kg of packaging
   • Landfill: 0.5 kg CO₂e per kg of packaging

Sample Calculation

Assume a single bottle of the toner weighs 200g (including packaging) and contains:

• 10g Chamomile
• 10g Lavender
• 10g Juniper
• 170g packaging (150g glass, 20g plastic)

1. Raw Material Sourcing:
   • Chamomile: 10g = 0.005 kg × 0.5 kg CO₂e = 0.0025 kg CO₂e
   • Lavender: 10g = 0.005 kg × 0.6 kg CO₂e = 0.003 kg CO₂e
   • Juniper: 10g = 0.005 kg × 0.4 kg CO₂e = 0.002 kg CO₂e
   • Glass Bottle: 150g = 0.15 kg × 1 kg CO₂e = 0.15 kg CO₂e
   • Plastic Cap: 20g = 0.02 kg × 2 kg CO₂e = 0.04 kg CO₂e
   Total Raw Material Footprint = 0.0025 + 0.003 + 0.002 + 0.15 + 0.04 = 0.1975 kg CO₂e
2. Manufacturing Process:
   • Energy Use: 10 kWh × 0.233 kg CO₂e per kWh = 2.33 kg CO₂e per batch
     • If a batch makes 100 bottles, per bottle = 2.33 / 100 = 0.0233 kg CO₂e
   • Water Use: 1 m³ × 0.298 kg CO₂e per m³ = 0.298 kg CO₂e per batch
     • If a batch makes 100 bottles, per bottle = 0.298 / 100 = 0.00298 kg CO₂e
   Total Manufacturing Footprint per Bottle = 0.0233 + 0.00298 = 0.02628 kg CO₂e
3. Transportation:
   • Raw Materials to Manufacturing (assume 50 km):
     • 200g = 0.2 kg × 0.05 kg CO₂e per kg per km × 50 km = 0.5 kg CO₂e
   • Finished Product Distribution (500 km):
     • 200g = 0.2 kg × 0.1 kg CO₂e per kg per km × 500 km = 10 kg CO₂e
   Total Transportation Footprint = 0.5 + 10 = 10.5 kg CO₂e
4. End of Life:
   • Recycling:
     • 170g = 0.17 kg × 0.3 kg CO₂e per kg = 0.051 kg CO₂e
   • Landfill:
     • 170g = 0.17 kg × 0.5 kg CO₂e per kg = 0.085 kg CO₂e
   Total End of Life Footprint = 0.051 + 0.085 = 0.136 kg CO₂e

Total Carbon Footprint Per Bottle

• Total = Raw Material Footprint + Manufacturing Footprint + Transportation Footprint + End of Life Footprint
• Total = 0.1975 + 0.02628 + 10.5 + 0.136 = 10.85978 kg CO₂e per bottle

Conclusion

The Chamomile-Lavender & Juniper Face Toner is sustainable and has a low carbon footprint due to the use of natural, renewable ingredients, minimal processing, eco-friendly packaging, energy-efficient manufacturing, and local distribution practices. These factors contribute to a reduced environmental impact and support the product’s overall sustainability.