Streamlined Life Cycle Assessment of Milk Packaging ...

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Streamlined Life Cycle Assessment of Milk Packaging Options on the Russian market

October 2018

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Outline

� Background

� Summary

� Introduction

� Method

� Goal and Scope

� Results

� Milk and its Packaging in Context

� Milk Packaging in Detail

� Consideration on the Milk Pathway

� What If?

� Environmental Impact Categories

Streamlined Life Cycle Assessment of Milk Packaging Option on the Russian market

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Background

Sustainability: a driving force Knowledge gap Life cycle assessment


� Sustainability is an important part of Tetra Pak’s business

model

� An integral part of its sustainability approach is the

commitment continuously to develop products with

superior environmental performance

� Tetra Pak RUBECCA seeks to gain a further

understanding of the relative environmental profile of

packaging options for liquid milk on the Russian market in

the context of their distribution pathways, ie

chilled or ambient

� The knowledge gained will support discussions with

current and potential customers, retailers and other

stakeholders

� Life cycle assessment (LCA) is a technique for evaluating

the environmental impacts associated with a product

over its full life cycle

� It provides insight into the sources of impacts and how

they might be improved

� It can support the

quantification of benefits of products and creation of

value through their contribution to customer

objectives

Summary

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Summary

This study provides

A high level evaluation, using a streamlined Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) approach

An indication of the environmental impacts of milk and its packaging

An assessment of the environmental impacts of seven different milk packaging options available on the Russian market

A benchmark of the provision of milk using the chilled versus the ambient pathways


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Summary, continued

The study found that

� The majority of the environmental burdens of the full milk systems are associated with the production of raw milk and its processing into consumer milk

On comparing the packaging systems only, the study showed that

� The Tetra Pak products perform better than the PET bottles across all of the impacts considered, no matter the delivery pathway taken

� Nonetheless, for water resource depletion, the results are comparatively similar

Considering the choice of delivery pathway, the findings indicate that

� The ambient pathway is preferable, no matter the packaging solution considered

� Although for freshwater eutrophication, the results for the gable top carton using the chilled pathway are similar to those of the PET bottle using the ambient pathway


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Summary, continued

Due to the streamlined nature of this LCA, the results are likely to be less accurate than those of a ‘full’ LCA that is compliant with the ISO standards and that uses a greater proportion of primary data

Nevertheless, the results provide an extremely robust indication of the relative performance of the systems studied, suitable for internal decision-making and thorough discussions with external stakeholders


Introduction

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Method


1. Goal & Scope

definition

2. Inventory Analysis

3. Impact Assessment

4. Interpretation

LCA framework according to ISO 14040/44

� An LCA study has four distinct phases and is an iterative process, illustrated by the arrows on the schematic

� Purpose of the goal and scope definition is to clarify the purpose of the study, what its results can and cannot be used for, the description of the product, etc

� In the inventory analysis, all incoming and outgoing flows to and from relevant processes are identified, quantified and collated

� The environmental impacts are calculated from the inventory in the impact assessment

� In the interpretation, the results and their validity are discussed in the context of the limitations of the study

� A streamlined LCA, like this study, will make ‘shortcuts’. For example, rather than undertaking extensive data collection, secondary data will be used for up- and down-stream processes. Certain processes may be covered less extensively, or left out. Similarly, the report will be less detailed and will not be in full compliance with the requirements of the ISO standards of LCA (ISO 14040/44).

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Goal and Scope

� A streamlined LCA investigating different packaging options for the delivery

of milk to Russian consumers, via

� Chilled pathway (pasteurised milk)

� Gable top carton

� PET bottle

� Ambient pathway (UHT milk)

� PET bottle

� Tetra Brik® Aseptic 1000 Slim, HelicapTM 27 (TBA Slim)

� Tetra Brik® Aseptic 1000 Edge, LightcapTM 30 (TBA Edge)

� Tetra Brik® Aseptic 1000 Base, no cap (TBA Base)

� Tetra Fino® Aseptic 1000 (TFA)


Gable top1000 ml

PET bottle1000 ml

PET bottle1000 ml

TBA Slim HC1000 ml

TBA Edge LC1000 ml

TBA Base NC1000 ml

TFA 1000 ml

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Packaging Specifications & Weight


� Considerable variation in packaging weights is

observed

� The lightest pack, considering both primary, secondary and tertiary packaging, is the TFA

� The heaviest is the TBA Edge with Lightcap 30, followed by the TBA Slim with Helicap 27

Chilled pathway Ambient pathway

Unit Gable top PET bottle PET bottle TBA Slim TBA Edge TBA Base TFA

Primary packaging g / pack 25.99 31.00 31.00 31.97 31.10 28.49 12.37

Secondary packaging g / pack 8.82 3.00 3.00 8.82 13.07 8.82 2.94

Tertiary packaging* g / pack 0.10 0.31 0.31 0.10 0.11 0.10 0.12

Total g / pack 34.91 34.31 34.41 40.89 44.28 37.41 15.43

* Excluding pallet

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Goal and Scope, continued

� Functional unit (unit of analysis):

� packaging required for the provision of 1,000 ml of milk (pasteurised or UHT) for purchase by an average Muscovite consumer

� Scope: the full value chain, ie ‘cradle to grave’

� Data: the specification of the packaging systems was mainly provided by Tetra Pak, as well as filling and packaging data

� Russian market data and statistics were used to inform data verification and choice

� Data for milk processing and storage in retail and the home is based on average European information

� Data for milk, materials, electricity etc is based on generic data from life cycle inventory databases

� Customers and retailers also provided data

� Results: A variety of environmental impacts* are considered


System boundaries

* The climate change results exclude biogenic carbon

Results

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Milk and its Packaging in Context


Climate change

� The contribution of the milk system dominates

� Representing the source of 73% to 91% of the impact, depending on packaging format

� The contribution of the packaging, distribution and storage in both retail and the home, and end-of-life management accounts for 9% to 27%, depending on the packaging format

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Milk and its Packaging in Context


Other impact categories

� A similarly high contribution from the milk system is also seen for the other impact categories assessed

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Packaging in Detail – CartonsScope – packaging only


Climate change

� ‘Hotspots’ are raw materials production (21% to 41%) and disposal & recycling of primary packaging (31% to 35%)

� For the gable top carton, distribution is also a hotspot, due to the chilled pathway

� There are limited differences between the cartons, apart from the TFA which has the lowest climate change contribution

� The climate change impact of the TFA are about half that of the other cartons

Total: 0.089 kg CO2e

per pack


per pack


per pack


per pack


per pack

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Packaging in Detail – CartonsScope – packaging only


Overall summary

� The production of the material components of the cartons (ie liquid paper board, polymer, alufoil) makes a noticeable contribution to the overall results

� The converting process makes a significant contribution to the particulate matter and terrestrial eutrophication impact categories, and for TBA Edge also freshwater eutrophication. The filling process also makes a noticeable contribution to particulate matter and freshwater eutrophication. The main source of impact from these processes is the energy demand of the converting and filling processes.

� Secondary and transit packaging make a noticeable contribution to most of the impact categories.

� Distribution to retail makes only a minimal contribution to most of the impact categories considered. The exception is for the gable top carton, due to the refrigerated transport required.

� End of life, combined with any credits awarded for material or energy recovery, shows a significant contribution to the climate change and marine eutrophication impact categories. This is largely associated with the landfilling of paperboard and emissions associated with its decomposition.

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Packaging in Detail – PET bottlesScope – packaging only


Climate change

� ‘Hotspots’ are raw materials production (53% to 54%) and converting (29%)

� For the PET bottle (chilled) distribution is also a hotspot, due to the chilled pathway

� There is no appreciable difference between the bottles, with the PET bottle (ambient) having a slightly lower climate change contribution

� The difference between the two is 2%

Total:

0.191 kg CO2e per pack

Total:

0.187 kg CO2e per pack

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Packaging in Detail – PET bottlesScope – packaging only


Overall summary

� The biggest contribution to the overall results for most of the impact categories is the production of the PET

� The energy-intensive converting process also makes a noticeable contribution to the overall results for all the impact categories assessed. For particulate matter and freshwater eutrophication, the converting process is the highest single contributor to the overall results.

� Similarly, the energy-intensive filling process for UHT milk means that this life cycle stage also makes a noticeable contribution to the impacts for the PET bottle system

� Only plastic film is used as secondary and tertiary packaging. Due to the small quantities used relative to the weight of the primary packaging, the contribution from secondary and tertiary packaging to the overall results is minimal.

� Distribution to retail is only noticeable for the chilled pathway, as a consequence of the refrigerated transport required

� Since a large proportion of plastic bottles are landfilled in Russia, end-of-life treatment of the packaging waste makes only a minimal contribution to the overall results

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Consideration of the Milk Pathway


� Two pathways are available for the delivery of liquid milk to the consumer, via the chilled pathway (as pasteurised milk) and the ambient pathway (as UHT milk)

� The pathways were evaluated and compared, considering differences in terms of packaging option, filling, distribution, and storage in retail and the consumer’s home

� Note, limited information was identified for milk production in Russia

� Literature data were used

� No data on loss rates during filling, distribution and storage as a consequence of the packaging system used

� Milk loss only considered in the context of pasteurised milk for which the sell-by-date has expired

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Consideration of the Milk Pathway


� The ambient pathway is preferable no matter the packaging format being considered

� Although for freshwater eutrophication, the result for the gable top carton of the chilled pathway is similar to that of the PET bottle of the ambient pathway

� Although differences in milk loss due to the packaging systems are not included in the study, the findings indicate, where different pathways are available, that there are environmental benefits of fulfilling one’s milk needs through using the ambient pathway

� Within the ambient pathway, it is preferable to fulfil one’s milk needs via milk packaged in cartons, and within cartons the TFA is preferable.

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Consideration of the Milk Pathwayper single pack


For a description of the effects of climate change, particulate matter and acidification, please refer to slides 25 and 26

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Consideration of the Milk Pathwayper single pack


For a description of the effects of eutrophication and water resource depletion, please refer to slide 27

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What if?


…all milk in Russia is sold in TBA Edge?

� Putting the findings into perspective, the impacts of moving from the current mix of packaging formats to using only TBA Edge with Lightcap 30 is considered

� Milk consumed in Russia amounted to 11,144,000 tonnes in 2014

� Assuming all of this is sold via retail, with the mix of packaging formats as per the

diagram, the impacts in terms of climate change equates to a saving of

3.3 million tonnes CO2e

Equivalent to

a car race around the Equator of some 667,800 cars

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Environmental Impact Categories

Impact categories Description

Climate change Climate change refers to the changes induced to the climate as a consequence of the emissions to the atmosphere of so-called greenhouse gases (GHG), such as carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O).


The Earth’s atmosphere absorbs part of the energy emitted as infrared radiation from Earth towards space, and is thereby heated. This natural greenhouse effect leading to a warming of the atmosphere has been increased over the past centuries by human activity leading to accumulation of CO2, CH4, N2O, and halocarbons to the atmosphere. The most important human contribution to the emissions of greenhouse gases is attributed to the combustion of fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas. The consequences of climate change include increased global average temperatures and sudden regional climatic changes. This increases adverse effects to human health, agriculture and wildlife.

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Environmental Impact Categories, continued


Particulate matter Particulate matter is a measure of the damage to human health due to primary PM2.5 and PM2.5 precursor emissions. The mechanism for the creation of secondary emissions starts with the emission of nitrogen oxides (NOX), ammonia (NH3), sulphur dioxide (SO2), followed by atmospheric transformation to sulphate and nitrate aerosols. Subsequently, the particulates can be inhaled by humans, leading to an increase in cardiopulmonary and respiratory diseases.

Cities and other areas with heavy traffic suffer from high levels of particulate matter. Sources for airborne particles include combustion processes, the mechanical abrasion of tires and road surfaces, degradation processes (eg from rock), etc.

Acidification Potential Acidification is a measure of the impact of acidic gases, which are emitted to the atmosphere and then deposited directly in water or soil or react with water in the atmosphere and are deposited via precipitation. These form acidifying H+ ions, thereby altering the pH of the receiving medium, which can have detrimental effects on plant and aquatic life.

The chief acidifying chemicals are sulphur dioxide (SO2), ammonia (NH3), and nitrogen oxides (NOX), and a significant source of these is fossil fuel combustion and slurry / manure. The source of acidifying chemicals may be some great distance from the receptor because of prevailing winds, away and their impact is dependent on the sensitivity of the receiving environment.


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Environmental Impact Categories continued



Eutrophication Potential, Freshwater, Marine and Terrestrial

Eutrophication is a measure of the nutrient pollution of ecosystems from substances containing nitrogen (N) or phosphorus (P). Generally, the availability of one of these nutrients will be a limiting factor for growth in the ecosystem. If this nutrient is added, the growth of algae or plants will be increased. In aquatic ecosystems, this can lead to oxygen depletion in the bottom strata due to the increased growth of algae and the subsequent breakdown of these algae on the bottom of the water body. Oxygen depletion can result in short or long term damage and potentially death to those organisms that are exposed. On land, ecosystems that are naturally poor in nutrients are gradually disappearing as a result of the addition of nitrogen.

Emissions of nitrogen (NH3, NO3-) to the aquatic environment are caused largely by the

agricultural use of fertilizers and manure management, but oxides of nitrogen (NOX) from combustion processes are also of significance for aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. The most significant sources of phosphorus emissions are from effluents from sewage treatment plants and leaching from agricultural land.

Water resource depletion Water scarcity is recognised as one of the most pressing environmental issues today and in the future. Water resource depletion refers to the withdrawal of freshwater water resources and is considered to have a direct impact on the environment.

The location of water consumption is crucial. In water abundant areas, the effect of water consumption will have a limited impact, whereas in dry areas the effect will be higher.

The business of sustainability

Thank you Simon AumônierPrincipal Partner

Northern [email protected]

+44 1865 384 916Oxford, United Kingdom

Jonna Meyhoff FrySenior Consultant

Northern [email protected]

+44 1865 384 849Oxford, United Kingdom

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Packaging in Detail – Climate Changeper single pack



Gable top1000 ml

PET bottle1000 ml

PET bottle1000 ml

TBA Slim HC1000 ml

TBA Edge LC1000 ml

TBA Base NC1000 ml

TFA 1000 ml

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Packaging in Detail – Acidificationper single pack


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Packaging in Detail – Particulate Matterper single pack



Gable top1000 ml

PET bottle1000 ml

PET bottle1000 ml

TBA Slim HC1000 ml

TBA Edge LC1000 ml

TBA Base NC1000 ml

TFA 1000 ml

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Packaging in Detail – Eutrophication, Freshwaterper single pack



Gable top1000 ml

PET bottle1000 ml

PET bottle1000 ml

TBA Slim HC1000 ml

TBA Edge LC1000 ml

TBA Base NC1000 ml

TFA 1000 ml

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Packaging in Detail – Eutrophication, Marineper single pack



Gable top1000 ml

PET bottle1000 ml

PET bottle1000 ml

TBA Slim HC1000 ml

TBA Edge LC1000 ml

TBA Base NC1000 ml

TFA 1000 ml

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Packaging in Detail – Eutrophication, Terrestrialper single pack



Gable top1000 ml

PET bottle1000 ml

PET bottle1000 ml

TBA Slim HC1000 ml

TBA Edge LC1000 ml

TBA Base NC1000 ml

TFA 1000 ml

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Packaging in Detail – Water Resource Depletionper single pack



Gable top1000 ml

PET bottle1000 ml

PET bottle1000 ml

TBA Slim HC1000 ml

TBA Edge LC1000 ml

TBA Base NC1000 ml

TFA 1000 ml

Streamlined Life Cycle Assessment of Milk Packaging ...

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