How One Facility Completely Eliminated the Use of TCE Schick Razor Blade Manufacturing in Knoxville, Tennessee. 2017. Polystyrene. Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 2 Dec. 2019, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polystyrene. Reusable LMA cleaning was observed to proceed as follows. Using BEES to select cost-effective green products. Sets Strategy to End 'Staggering' Garbage Crisis.The New York Times, The New York Times, 23 Sept. 1988, www.nytimes.com/1988/09/23/us/epa-sets-strategy-to-end-staggering-garbage-crisis.html. The blade is made from a tungsten steel, and carbon alloy. Kelly, John. However, given the environmental toll to such a fast accumulating, and non-biodegradable product, waste management must be more considered by both the manufacturers and the buyers. In this paper, this will be exactly what we will discuss, from what materials go into making a disposable razor and how they are made, to what happens to it after its tossed out, and all the energy and waste that is used and expelled throughout its lifecycle. Polyphenylene Oxides.Polyphenylene Oxides - an Overview | ScienceDirect Topics, 2013, www.sciencedirect.com/topics/chemical-engineering/polyphenylene-oxides. The EPA has said in their 2014 report: Currently, little information is available about the fate and transport of tungsten in the environment and its effects on human health. The differences in environmental impacts between these devices strongly favor reusable devices. For You for Everyone Registration Document. How Is Tungsten Carbide Formed? Chronicle, 20 Aug. 2015, chronicle.kennametal.com/how-is-tungsten-carbide-formed/. Individually autoclaving the reusable LMA (because of stock shortages, for example) increased life cycle GHG emissions by >400%, whereas loading with 10 LMAs per cycle decreased emissions by nearly 25%. Atlanta, 2012. It all starts with the melting and combining of the desired metal. Such an analysis is commonly performed using life cycle assessment. It is resistant to fats and almost all organic solvents which helps it hold up in the damp and warm conditions of a bathroom and shower (Polypropylene. Wikipedia.org). Most tungsten, about 85%, is extracted from various ores in China (Siddle, How Is Tungsten Carbide Formed?). #3. Gillette Plastic Disposable Shaving Kit supermax, for Hotel. Phoenix: IEEE, 2008, 23. Environmental Life-Cycle Assessment of Disposable Bioreactors - BioProcess InternationalBioProcess International Upstream Processing Bioprocessing begins upstream, most often with culturing of animal or microbial cells in a range of vessel types (such as bags or stirred tanks) using different controlled feeding, aerating, and process strategies. Holes are then punched into the metal and the tapelike sheets of razors are then put in a roll (Manufacturing Processes). Sustainable Development at BIC . 6 Jan. 2011. Soulias M, Martin L, Garnier N, Juniot A, Aho L, Freysz M. Disposable vs reusable laryngeal mask airway: a cost-minimization analysis. 21 offers from $5.20. The cheap price of the razor does not reflect the high cost of its waste and impact on the environment. Tungsten Carbide. Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 26 Nov. 2019, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tungsten_carbide. McGain F, McAlister S, McGavin A, Story D. The financial and environmental costs of reusable and single-use plastic anaesthetic drug trays. Each razor can last up to 12 gentle shaves. To begin the process of creating the metal, the tungsten is purified and ground into a fine powder. How Long Will It Take That Bag of Trash to Decompose in a Landfill?The Balance Small Business, The Balance Small Business, 22 Oct. 2019, www.thebalancesmb.com/how-long-does-it-take-garbage-to-decompose-2878033#plastic-waste. Anaesthesia 2007;62:3814, 5. van Zundert AAJ, Fonck K, Al-Shaikh B, Mortier E. Comparison of the LMA-Classic with the new disposable soft seal laryngeal mask in spontaneously breathing adult patients. In this life cycle breakdown, I will be discussing what materials go into the making of disposable razors and what processes the materials go through in the operation of making a disposable razor. Part of this responsible shipping mentality forces them to change their packaging to be able to ship more at a time. There much environmentally friendly options when it comes to shavings, such as the traditional safety razor and straight razors, which can have a much longer life than disposable razors. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/cjd/qa_cjd_infection_control.htm. Once the plastic has cooled, the pieces are released from the moulds. 3. This was a cradle-to-grave study that included inputs and outputs for the manufacture, transport, use, and waste phases of the LMAs. The carbon footprint reported was separated into two sections which are direct and indirect emissions. Gathering all the data for the LCA is the most difficult part of the task, and normally assumptions have to be made where its impossible to gather all the knowledge required, thus not all the relevant impacts are considered. BIC Comfort 3 Refillable Three-Blade Disposable Razors for Men, Sensitive Skin Razor for a Comfortable Shave, 1 Handle and 12 Cartridges With 3 Blades, 13 Piece Razor Kit. The purpose of this assessment is to compare two different types of razors: cartridge based vs. double edge safety razor. Any extra plastic will be discarded, remelted, and reused (Safety Razor, madehow.com). Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) Hazard Summary. These results will then be used to inform the design process and improve the redesigned razor. Despite this, a general perception is that reusable LMAs possess a safety profile inferior to that of disposable LMAs, thus contributing to the proliferation of the latter. Anesth Analg 1993;77:1079, 21. Powers, Matt, and Amanda M. Can You Recycle Disposable Razors? Earth911.Com, 30 July 2019, earth911.com/living-well-being/health/can-you-recycle-disposable-razors/. Alternate assumptions were used to test model sensitivity and to create bounds to aid interpretation of the results (Table 2). Poly(Phenylene Oxide). The Polymer Science Learning Center, www.pslc.ws/macrog/ppo.htm. 1982, www.nytimes.com/1982/04/11/business/how-bic-lost-the-edge-to-gillette.html. 85 percent of the energy came from electricity, 14 percent came from gas, and the rest came from fuel oil (For You For Everyone Registration Document). With such a fast accumulating waste and slow decomposition rate, there must be changes and incentive for companies to rethink the disposable razor. However, they also affirmed that they strive to make their products with an eco-design approach by using recycled materials or bioplastics in their different products (For You for Everyone Registration Document). Chu L, Mathur P, Trudell J, Brock-Utne J. Its an extremely strong and durable metal compound, making it perfect for the use of razor blades (Siddle, How Is Tungsten Carbide Formed?; Tungsten Carbide. Wikipedia.org). Goal, scope and background The industrial packages sector has great importance for the transport sector in Europe. Life Cycle Assessment - definition & methodology. hb```X ea i:=3*?a_.k7#uq-u[JRP erle@@)`EkP;~ cdC58xiv06@Jup E Terracycle. A life cycle assessment (LCA) is a tool for analyzing the environmental impacts and resources used throughout a product's life, from raw materials extraction to production, and extending through product use and disposal. Growing awareness of the negative impacts from the practice of health care on the environment and public health calls for the routine inclusion of life cycle criteria into the decision-making process of device selection. The largest difference in environmental impacts is seen in the impact category of carcinogenesis, in which reusable LMAs cause 5% of the impacts of disposable LMAs. Municipal Solid Waste Generation, Recycling, and Disposal in the United States: Facts and Figures for 2010. Terracycle is a company that was created to address the issue of recyclable products that often end up in landfills. Sensor3 disposable razors for men feature an enhanced Lubrastrip with water activated Comfortgel technology for ultra-gentle shaving on your sensitive skin. These are the reasons why I will carry out an Eco-Indicator Assessment instead of a full LCA. Subramaniar Trading Company. Several waste management scenarios were also considered, including 100% landfilling and 100% incineration, because practices are highly location dependent. Marvel Product Razor Lady Body Shaver Disposable Razore. Amersfoort, The Netherlands: Product Ecology (PR) Consultants, 2011, 11. This reflects the equivalence between 40 disposable LMAs and their associated materials, waste, and 40 uses of 1 reusable LMA. By not using air travel and transport, BIC greatly reduces their energy usage and carbon footprint at the same time. The final value for the cartridge-based razor was 115.06 mPt, and the value for the double edge safety razor was 15.70 mPt. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a modeling tool for quantifying the environmental impacts of products and processes. The total amount of Direct emissions from BIC factories was 8,689 tonnes of carbon dioxide (For You For Everyone Registration Document). On the other hand, extending the number of uses to 80 (doubling the lifetime) reduces GHG emissions by 9%. The Ramboll Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) found that, assuming realistic usage over a year, the energy consumption involved in the use phase of reusable plastic and traditional crockery, during in-store or out-sourced washing and drying, outweighed the environmental impact of single-use paper dishes. In life cycle assessment, the basis of comparison is called the functional unit. For this report, the functional unit of the disposable and reusable LMAs was taken to be maintenance of airway patency by 40 disposable LMAs or 40 uses of 1 reusable LMA. The high waste from manufacturing and shipping such a small, and cheap product is one that is negatively impacting the planet. In BIC factories they pride themselves in producing a quality product, so the blades go through a series of highly precise visual inspections with cameras which help with rejecting blades that do not meet BIC standards (Case Studies) After that they go through visual inspection is done be BIC employees to reject any blades that the cameras were not rejected by the inspection camera system, the blades are then send off to be coated and burned. The environmental effects of labor are often omitted from life cycle assessment studies, but are included here as part of the sensitivity analysis. Life cycle assessment (LCA) is a framework for assessing the environmental impacts of product systems and decisions. Manufacturer specifications indicate 20 kWh of electricity use for a 5-minute cycle at 135C. Criteria for the selection and purchase of medical devices typically include safety for patients and staff, efficacy and ease of use, and purchase and handling prices. Staff, Creative Mechanisms. Everything You Need To Know About Polystyrene (PS). Everything You Need To Know About Polystyrene (PS), 5 Nov. 2015, https://www.creativemechanisms.com/blog/polystyrene-ps-plastic. HUO0NpnaJd@"&u[kj-+8=WU\*w)OMYb_ry> 1F3 nyNnb 0 Reprints will not be available from the authors. BIC put out a report detailing how they deal with the waste from their factories. Its aim is a comprehensive analysis of the environmental impact of products and services. At 20 reuse cycles,16 the results indicate an increase in emissions of nearly 20%. Polystyrene is a naturally transparent thermoplastic that is available as both a typical solid plastic as well in the form of a rigid foam material (Rodgers, Everything You Need To Know About Polystyrene (PS).). Through an examination of how the raw materials: carbide steel, tungsten steel, and a combination of the plastics: polypropylene, polystyrene, and phenylene oxide of the razors decompose, and how much waste is accumulated in making the razors, an assessment can be made for the duration of their life cycle. Reusable LMAs were collected in a dirty device bin on the anesthesia cart and then reprocessed by the anesthesia technicians. It is at this stage that very small amounts of other metals such as iron, silicon, and chromium may be added to the carbide to increase its strength and durability. BIC currently holds around 11 percent market share in disposable razors (Nash). A life cycle assessment or analysis according to ISO 14040/14044 is an instrument of environmental and sustainability management. The alloy must allow for easy manufacturing due to the high demand of disposable razors and enough strength to last through transportation and shelf holding. This LCA is specific for surgical gowns used in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St Paul, Minnesota. For example, LCA results can tell us if one product is environmentally preferable to another . These steps are not necessarily conducted in succession, but iteratively. Contribution: This author helped design the study and prepare the manuscript. 4. 1. When you take your blades in to the scrap metal center, choose the steel recycling bin. Policy H-135.945: Encouraging Alternatives to PVC/DEHP Products in Health. We purchase the product in a store, use the product for removing unwanted body and facial hair until it eventually dulls, and then we toss it in the bathroom trash, unaware of where it goes or where it came from. Kaplan, Desire. However, the LCA is not an exact science and has its limitations: In landfilling or incinerating this part, the large amount of energy and material value used in creating it is lost. Therefore, to help designers get started and make informed decisions, a Life cycle Analysis (LCA) can be carried out using the information gathered during the research stage. Disposable and reusable LMAs typically differ in material composition, packaging, reuse, and cost. Upgrading to a new, energy-efficient autoclave machine leads to a nearly equal reduction in life cycle GHG emissions and may be considered particularly in instances in which older equipment is being used. The total amount of indirect emissions was 89,762 tonnes of carbon dioxide (For You For Everyone Registration Document). Interpretation of results The last step in the process is to interpret the results and compare them against each other. Sensitivity and simple life cycle cost analyses were conducted to aid in interpretation of the results. If the reusable LMA is discarded prematurely, e.g., after 20 uses,16 the unit cost increases to $13 per unit, but decreases to $5.50 if the lifetime can be extended to 80 uses. Each time the steam autoclave machine conducts a sterilizing cycle, a large amount of energy is used to heat the steam. E-LCA is a time tested assessment technique that evaluates environmental performance throughout the life cycle of a product or from performing a service. The US Environmental Protection Agency's Tool for the Reduction and Assessment of Chemical and other environmental Impacts (TRACI) life cycle impact assessment method was used to model environmental impacts of greenhouse gases and other pollutant emissions. Since then, around 60 billion razors have been produced, distributed, and sold worldwide. LCA can be used to compare alternative products, processes or services; compare alternative life cycles for a certain product . Gillette Mach3 Disposable Razors for Men, 6 Count, Designed for Sensitive Skin. The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. The second component of the razor is the plastic body which is made of a fairly inexpensive plastic called polystyrene. The life cycle assessment results shown here allow clinicians and health care administrators to understand the balance between direct benefits of a given LMA choice to local patient care and the environmental and human health impacts of that choice that occur far from the operating room. EPA. However, it is fairly easy to find what the disposable razors components are made of, due to its simplicity. Accessed 28 Nov. 2019. www.thefabricator.com/thefabricator/article/stamping/die-basics-101-intro-to-stamping, https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2019/08/07/landfill-waste-how-prevent-disposable-razor-plastic-pollution/1943345001/, http://www.greatrecovery.org.uk/resources/3682/, www.plasticsnewseurope.com/article/20091119/PNE/311199986/bic-disposable-razor-1975, www.nytimes.com/1982/04/11/business/how-bic-lost-the-edge-to-gillette.html, www.sciencedirect.com/topics/chemical-engineering/polyphenylene-oxides, www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2014-03/documents/ffrrofactsheet_contaminant_tungsten_january2014_final.pdf, www.kai-group.com/global/en/kai-factory/process/razor/, www.epa.gov/toxics-release-inventory-tri-program/reducing-trichloroethylene-tce-waste-fabricated-metals-sector, www.madehow.com/Volume-5/Safety-Razor.html, www.recyclingtoday.com/article/the-recycling-potential-of-polypropylene/, www.ssab.com/company/sustainability/sustainable-offering/steel-life-cycle?di=discover21C927E58ECC41198B78D915F7E3E2AF, BEHR Oil Based Interior/Exterior Primer and Sealer, California Academy of Sciences Living Roof Life Cycle, UC Davis Social Sciences and Humanities Building, A-Z List for Digital & Electronics Topics. 1. mmw*vA|5v*3n9IUt){e%!HN6@` xcr@pz*Fbiq%1!TJ-CF*1OS|UZU\vQL7M?m'b-,r~S}Y&/{#U6U)S|%q[RB !3j~tj$h>5qtsJ./j?;eosyy*"Z`'wG"M6]O}UKqw[LzY9e B,s&C4++_tI~& Me*lNU"Uigq\u7{:&VNC'rT]FB5jOa.%N%1*stBC]%y&RDs"#&iUX&?8sh:wJo ZjbO|KFmfC{:oX~'b> To make the handle and cartridges, these various plastics are heated together and melted together along with optional colorants and various filler materials. climate change, summer smog, resource depletion, acidification, human health effects, etc. Eshwar Shop. These included alternative routes and modes of transport from San Diego to New Haven, changes in autoclave loading practices and efficiency, and varied amounts of PVC in the disposable LMA. Despite manufacturer-recommended cleaning processes, and various modifications thereof, proteinaceous material may remain on reusable LMAs.27 Of particular concern, these residues may expose patients to prions causing transmissible spongiform encephalopathy, CreutzfeldtJakob disease. There are so many variables that you have to take into account when calculating how much of an impact a product is having on the environment and our resources. Get new journal Tables of Contents sent right to your email inbox, http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/cjd/qa_cjd_infection_control.htm, Comparative Life Cycle Assessment of Disposable and Reusable Laryngeal Mask Airways, Articles in PubMed by Matthew Eckelman, PhD, Articles in Google Scholar by Matthew Eckelman, PhD, Other articles in this journal by Matthew Eckelman, PhD, May 2012 - Environment and Anesthesia Practice, A Comparison of Reusable and Disposable Perioperative Textiles: Sustainability State-of-the-Art 2012, Life Cycle Greenhouse Gas Emissions of Anesthetic Drugs, Environmental and Occupational Considerations of Anesthesia: A Narrative Review and Update, Global Warming Potential of Inhaled Anesthetics: Application to Clinical Use, A Survey of Anesthesiologists' Views of Operating Room Recycling, Privacy Policy (Updated December 15, 2022), International Anesthesia Research Society. Goodman EJ, Haas AJ. 15 - 21 Our group recently performed a life cycle assessment of anesthetic drug trays, finding that reusable trays were both environmentally and . An LCA is an accounting of the inputs and outputs for a product system, beginning with extraction of raw materials from the earth and continuing through all of the steps of transportation, manufacturing, product fabrication, product use, and end-of-life, which may include reuse, recycling . Can J Anaesth 2001;48:40912, 22. LCA's are completed particularly in relation to how to develop a sustainable world where less waste and more reuse is implemented. 11,772. For me, I had a few extra bits of plastic that I snapped off because they . endstream endobj 752 0 obj <>stream Anaesthesia 2000;55:7001, 18. The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment. Buy Now. The scope of our analysis, as is shown in Figure 1, includes extraction of material and energy resources, manufacturing, packaging and transport from the manufacturing site to the distribution center and the hospital, reprocessing, and eventual disposal. Due to the nature of the disposable razor, they are usually just thrown in the trash and sent off to a landfill. There are various ways that the product can get there. In order to carry out the Eco-Indicator analysis method, the methodology described below has to be followed: They are resins that maintain a high dimensional stability, which helps create fast and cheap plastic razor handles (Safety Razor). This points to the need for effective inventory control, which is also critical for the reusable devices because there needs to be a sufficient number clean and on hand while another batch is undergoing cleaning, sterilization, and cooling. In this paper, many details about the life cycle stages were not included. For more information, please refer to our Privacy Policy. Razor blades dull quickly after repeated use, and are recommended to be used only three to ten times, making them a cheap alternative to reusable cartridges. The plastic handle and head of the disposable razor consists of a hybrid of polypropylene, polystyrene, and phenylene oxide, also known as PPO. Tungsten is a natural metal deposit that is found in metamorphic, and granitic igneous rocks, primarily in China, Russia, South Korea, South America, and the Rocky Mountains in the United States. Max Soft Disposable Razor For Women - 3 Pcs In A Pack. The tungsten carbide is then ground into an extremely fine powder in a wet mill process, where metal binders and other metals such as cobalt may be added to increase the metals strength and durability and to help hold the powder together when it is shaped. Disposable razors are designed for consumers that prefer minimum spending . Quantifying the Environmental Impacts of Labor. : Uses, Benefits, and Safety Facts.ChemicalSafetyFacts.org, 17 June 2019, www.chemicalsafetyfacts.org/polystyrene/. Teoh W, Lim Y. In phase 3, we evaluate how significant the impacts are. The GTG LCIs are added together to give a cradle-to-gate (CTG) life cycle inventory . Rogers, Tony. Our LCA team retains its reputation as the most experienced life cycle staff in North America. Die Basics 101: Intro to Stamping. The Fabricators, 18 July 2018, www.thefabricator.com/thefabricator/article/stamping/die-basics-101-intro-to-stamping. The plastic and steel elements of the razor can be recycled, yet, because they are so lightweight and small it makes it hard to separate in the trash and unable to be recycled normally. So, while this solution is not an easy fix, as it would require buyers to save their own waste, it does provide an alternative to the disposable razor waste crisis. Polypropylene. Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 30 Nov. 2019, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polypropylene. Two Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA) methodologies were employed using SimaPro software 51,52 to calculate the environmental impacts of manufacturing both the plastic and compostable coffee . associated with the environmental interventions attributable to the life-cycle of a product. This is where the razors are portioned into their desired packaging amounts, that will be sent off to consumers. Features Downloads. Anaesth Intensive Care 2010;38:538, 9. The authors declare no conflict of interest. Research about tungsten is ongoing and includes health effects and risks, degradation processes and an inventory of its use in the defense industry as a substitute for lead-based munitions (EPA). A Life Cycle Assessment of Disposable Razors. Data Uncertainty. Poly(p-Phenylene Oxide). Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 28 Sept. 2019, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poly(p-phenylene_oxide). Cad M, Webb T, Bjorksten A. Experience spanning from the market-leading environment and climate practice of a global top 10 law firm - to leading Europe's largest . Staff, RT. Energy Consumption by Mode of Transportation. Energy Consumption by Mode of Transportation | Bureau of Transportation Statistics, Bureau of Transportation Statistics, www.bts.gov/content/energy-consumption-mode-transportation. The product has several innovative elements, due to the implementation of eco-design principles, such as: (1) introduction of biopolymers (namely polylactic acid (PLA) and Mater-bi), (2) relevant . A comparative cradle to grave life cycle assessment (LCA) was conducted to determine and analyze the environmental impacts of using disposable acrylic speculums versus using reusable stainless-steel speculums in a women's university health clinic where around 5,000 pelvic exams are conducted on a yearly basis. Tungsten has a high melting point and is used mainly for strong tools unless used for smaller applications when combined with a carbon alloy: Its alloys are employed in rocket-engine nozzles and other aerospace applications (Safety Razors). Uncertainties about the correctness of the model. The next step is to temper the steel at a temperature of 482-752F (250- 400C) and pressed into thin sheets (Safety Razor, madehow.com). CASE STUDY ANALYSIS - CLEAN EDGE, NON DISPOSABLE RAZOR Q1. Siddle, Dave. This document is an update and merger of two previous EPA documents on LCA ("Life Cycle Assessment: Inventory Guidelines and Principles," EPA/600/R-92/245, and "LCA101" from the LCAccess, website . This is shown through their commitment to their eco-design process and new recycling programs that are undergoing testing. At the end of applying the additives, the blades are once again heated, to cement the coating onto the blade. The blades are then carefully sharpened to create the razor blades. GaBi includes its own database containing life cycle inventories of processes such as polypropylene manufacturing, transportation, and landfill . endstream endobj startxref Safety Razor.How Products Are Made, www.madehow.com/Volume-5/Safety-Razor.html. American Medical Association (AMA). LMA North America. During production, two components have to be created which are the blade and the plastic body. Swiss Center for Life Cycle Inventories. Highlights In this post I havent shown the whole process, but there are downloadable links to my full Eco-Indicator results, and to the template form if youd like to carry out an assessment yourself. 8 John Adam Street You Asked, We Answered. Chronicle, 12 June 2015, chronicle.kennametal.com/what-is-tungsten-carbide-you-asked-we-answered/. Wolters Kluwer Health My next blog post will show some design recommendations using sketches and 3D-printed prototypes. Contribution: This author helped design the study, analyze the data, and prepare the manuscript. may email you for journal alerts and information, but is committed Each year in Italy, millions of tons of fruits and vegetables are harvested, packed and transported to national and foreign retail outlets.

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