Life Cycle Assessment: Arrowhead’s Eco-Shape Bottle

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Table of Contents

Abstract
Introduction
Objective
Life Cycle Assessment Inventory Analysis
Interpretation
Bibliography

Abstract

Pollution is the chief concern of today’s world. To understand nature of pollution created by solid waste it is needed to analyze the problem from the perspective of Product life cycle. Reducing domestic wastes like plastic bottles is a very efficient way to prevent environmental pollution.

Thus, recyclable products like Arrowhead’s bottle are a very efficient measure of controlling it. It is true that there are similar products available like Avian, Figi and Dassani that are also marketed as eco friendly and termed as green products but they contain more plastic contents than the Arrowhead’s bottle. High plastic content in a product needs more plastic from the manufacturers. But making plastic products increase pollution too. Apart from these facts, all these products, Avian, Figi and Dassani, are not fully recyclable while being recyclable is Arrowhead’s bottle’s chief trait.

Introduction

Pollution is the release of environmental contaminants including Carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, chlorofluorocarbons, and nitrogen oxides which are released into the air we breathe by industry and motor vehicles. There can also be pollution in the water via organic and inorganic means including heavy metals, petrochemicals, chloroform and bacteria. Soil pollution is a direct reaction of the soil from both air and water contamination as a result of those contaminants seeping into the soil. Thus, it is important to lower the rate of pollution and patronage products that are less pollutant agents.

One such product is Arrowhead’s Eco-shape bottle. However, there are similar products available like Avian, Figi and Dassani. But it would be seen whether the Arrowhead’s Eco-shape bottle scores more in terms of being an eco friendly product. For the purpose and thorough product life cycle analysis would be carried out at the end of it there would be complete recommendation in terms of betterment of the product.

Objective

Arrowhead’s Eco-shape bottle is regarded as one of the foremost eco friendly green product. In the given conditions of today’s health hazards and depleting environmental sustainability it is necessary for corporate management to opt for greener and more eco friendly products. This responsibility goes beyond the legal obligation to adhere to statute laws and requires corporations to willingly take further measures to promote the quality of verve for its workforce including their families as well and for the improvement of local community and humanity in the broader sense. However, to sustain its product in the corporate market, it is necessary to induce proper marketing techniques, better design and more sustainable business proposition while maintaining the green concept of product. Thus, it is important to analyze and evaluate the Arrowhead’s product life cycle of Eco-shape bottle and recommend any further developments.

Necessary background facts

Until the very recent past, business environmental ethics was a perception viewed only about organizational adherence to legal principles and compliance to internal legislations. However, the state of affairs has changed over time. Focus on business environmental ethics is gaining momentum internationally and firms have become conscious and understand that success depends largely on the deference and assurance of the environment.

Corporate managements are increasingly being encouraged and urged to enhance their business practices to accentuate legalized and environmental ethical performance. Various organizations, professional firms and persons are all being held responsible for their activities with growing insistence for superior values of corporate social and environmental responsibility. Thus, the approach of Arrowhead’s Eco-shape bottle is a very relevant subject in today’s world of sustainable environmental consciousness. (Werther & Chandler, 113) As a result, it is important to analyze and evaluate its Product Life Cycle along with its sustainability in the future through needful recommendations.

Goal and scope of LCA

Environmentalists have long theorized and contemplated many different methods to determine the effects of humanity’s innovative nature on the natural environment. Many have asked questions as to how natural income and natural capital are able to enable resources to the point of sustainability. Productivity, and determining both primary gross productivity and primary net productivity will allow us to determine whether or not a particular environment would be productive or not.

It can also determine whether or not productivity can be recovered. Biodiversity, in order to be determined, must first be understood and then to ensure that biodiversity is managed, a calculated measurement of the flora and fauna in a specific measured span should be recorded. There are many ways to manage doing this. On of the ways is analysis of Life cycle assessment of a product. This would make it possible to understand the potential of a product as a ‘green’ and environment friendly product.

Life Cycle Assessment Inventory Analysis

Arrowhead® Brand Mountain Spring Water is company associated with the Nestlé Waters, US. It provides the customers with bottled mineral water and management claims, “we’re committed to providing our customers (you) with healthful beverages. But sometimes making a difference isn’t just about what we put into the bottle. Sometimes, it is what we take out.” (Arrowheadwater, 1, 1) It further states, “The recyclable Arrowhead Half Liter Eco-Shape® bottle is not only less impactful on the environment, it’s purposely designed to be easy to carry and hold. And because it’s lighter, it requires less energy to make – resulting in a reduction of CO2 emissions.” (Arrowheadwater, 1, 1)

The fundamental distinctive features of the Eco-Shape Bottle as follows:

“Made with 30% less plastic than the average half-liter bottle”. (Arrowheadwater, 1, 2)

“Recyclable and flexible so it’s easier to crush”. (Arrowheadwater, 1, 5)

These two distinctive features are the most important aspects of the product. Solid waste is a basic problem of today’s world and it adds to the phenomenon of global warming and other pollutions like ozonation, energy use, drought concerns, pollution and waste.

Applying cleaner production means systematically addressing all phases of the production process and product life-cycle. Cleaner production encompasses energy and raw material conservation, reduction in the use of toxic substances and product and process changes that reduce wastes and pollutants previously produced. All these options have the same aim, to reduce the risk of human and the environment from industrial Activities and consumption, and to do so in the most cost effective way possible. Only the control methods, end-of-pipe (EOP) devises were devised to solve the problems of polluted surface waters, intoxicated air and other results of industrial developments. EOP wastes, also less hazardous than the raw wastes.

Reducing domestic wastes like plastic bottles is another way to prevent environmental pollution. Thus, recyclable products like Arrowhead’s bottle are a very efficient measure of controlling it. Waste management includes taking measures so that garbage are not left open, recycling of waste products which serves both the purposes of saving resources and reducing environmental pollution. Such as recycling plastic bags, bottles etc. preparing paper and fertilizers from garbage and Arrowhead’s bottle is the best example of such approach.

It is true that there are similar products available like Avian, Figi and Dassani that are marketed as eco friendly and termed as green products. However, these score low in the context of Arrowhead’s bottle’s capacity of being recyclable and in the use of low amount of plastic. It has been reported that Avian contains 25% less plastic than average bottles, while Figi is found to be at 20%. Dassani, on the other hand, scores very low with 12%. Apart from these facts, all these products, Avian, Figi and Dassani, are not fully recyclable while being recyclable is Arrowhead’s bottle’s chief trait. (Lamb, 216-218)

Life Cycle Impact Assessment

The world is facing a real danger of annihilation due to pollution. Pollution is responsible for breaking down the ecological system step by step. Solid wastes like plastic bottles and substances unable of recycle are chief cause of environmental pollution that leads to draught. These droughts cause soil erosion and reduce soil fertility, which declines agricultural yield in favorable season. The world still being an agricultural landmass, to cope up with this problem increasing yield substantially would be necessary. To fulfill this purpose use of fertilizers and pesticides are increasing day by day.

Pesticides can be divided into three subgroups namely Insecticides, Fungicides & Herbicides. Insecticides comprise of Chlorine, Phosphorous, Carbonate chemicals such as DDT, Aldrin etc. Herbicides are generally used for controlling growth of weeds. These cause less harm to the environment than insecticides. Example of Herbicides are Atrazine , Propachlor etc. Herbicides do not leave long term effect on soil.

Fungicides are mostly used in vegetable farms and orchards. (Lamb, 223)The factors such as soil type , depth of water table , rain fall infiltration and persistence of compound in soil determine the entry of any pesticide in ground water.some water soluble pesticides get dissolved in ground water and enter into food and effect human and animal health. Some pesticides contain aromatic compounds which do not get degraded easily after washing fruits and vegetables. These pesticides along with food cause health hazards.Water soluble pesticides cause cancer, birth defects and gene mutation. Some pesticides cast adverse effect on immune system and endocrine system leaving long lusting impact on the effected person.

Apart from these, high plastic content in a product needs more plastic from the manufacturers. But making plastic products increase pollution too. Mineral extracted interact with ground and surface water thus polluting water resources. Air pollution is a serious problem which has been faced for years. Due to air pollution percentage of oxygen in atmosphere is reducing day by day. As a result increasing number of people is suffering from lung problems.

Poisonous gases in atmosphere are killing small animals & bird sand effecting human lives. The precipitation areas in industries have caustic vapors these cause skin problems. In some industries people work in fluoride environment.Continuous exposure to fluoride leads to a disease Fluoric in which bones and teeth are effected. Air pollution is also casting drastic effect in vegetation. The result of which is comparatively less and irregular rainfall, which again causes dryness and scarcity of water.

Thus, it clear from the demonstration that low plastic contents in products and the recyclable nature is very important. In this context, Arrowhead’s bottles are much more efficient than any other products. It is thus needless to say that these bottles are very effective in facing the current environmental problems.

Interpretation

Recommendation for this category of green product

Thus, it is obvious that Arrowhead’s Eco-shape bottle scores quite high in this context. However, there is always scope for further research and it is recommended that the company should further research on the eco-friendly design of the Arrowhead’s Eco-shape bottle to make it more sustainable and prolong the product life cycle maturity level and thus develop a sustainable green business.

Justification of given recommendation based upon quantitative and qualitative evaluation of results

In accordance to qualitative and quantitative researches conducted by multinational and reputable firms like PriceWaterhouse and Lovelock&Lewis, it has been found that the general mass is keen on using green products. However, the same researches suggested that the mass opted for products that are readily available and effective in use. It is also reported that the general people are interested in sustaining the environment and they are eager for more eco friendly products. However, they also mention that the green products must be economic and handy. (Sarkar, 285)

Important positive and negative effects of using a green version

There are, however, no significant negative effects associated with this product. As it is, it is uses 30% less plastic and it is recyclable. Nevertheless it is recommended that the company must lay emphasis on further reducing the plastic content through research and development.

Feasibility of making a more complete societal switch to the “green” product

However, it should be noted that there is more logical feasibility of making a more complete societal switch to the green product. There is a Corporate social responsibility associated with principled values, fulfilment of legitimate requirements, and recognizing the values of respecting people, society and the environment. It relates to the execution of business in a manner that lives up to or exceeds the ethical, economical, legalized, and community expectations the society has from it.

It is sometimes referred to as corporate accountability or corporate citizenship and is a conception which requires an institution to reflect on the interests of the social order by shouldering accountability for the influence of their actions on clients, providers, human resources, stockholders, humanity and the environment. Thus, it is logical and more feasible option for the company to sustain its green product. (McElroy, 231-233)

Bibliography

Arrowheadwater. “A better bottle for you and our environment!” Arrowheadwater. 2009. Nestlé Waters North America Inc. Web.

McElroy, Mark. “Sustainability quotients and the social footprint.” Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management 15.4, (2006): 223-234.

Lamb, D; (2008); Cult to Culture: The Face of Civilization; Wellington: National Book Trust.

Sarkar, Runa. “Public policy and corporate environmental behaviour: a broader view.” Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management 15.5, (2007): 281-297.

Werther, William B & David Chandler. Strategic Corporate Social Responsibility: Stakeholders in a Global Environment; New York: SAGE, 2006.

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