Every product manufactured and used in our daily routine impacts the environment throughout its life cycle. This topic explores carbon footprint, carbon handprint, product life cycles, upcycling of plastic waste, and the threat of microplastics in food webs.
A closed loop recovers materials through recycling, while an open loop ends in decay. Carbon handprint actions work against the carbon footprint of a product.
Carbon footprint refers to the total amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere as a result of the activities of an individual, event, organisation, community, or products used in daily life.
Every product we use leaves an environmental footprint from the moment its raw materials are extracted until its disposal. When a product is made, transported, and operated, it causes greenhouse gas emissions. However, sustainable choices can act as carbon handprints that offset and reduce environmental harm.
Water usage, release of greenhouse gases, electrical energy consumption, transportation, waste production, gas usage, fuel usage, and personal activities.
Recycling and carbon offset, for example planting green plants.
Electrical energy used (kWh) = Power (kW) × Frequency of use in a day (h)
Amount of carbon dioxide released (g) = \(\dfrac{\text{Electrical energy used (kWh)}}{50\text{ kWh}} \times 39\text{ g}\)
A usage of \(50\text{ kWh}\) of electrical energy produces \(39\text{ g}\) of carbon dioxide.
Non-renewable building materials emitting a lot of greenhouse gases are replaced with renewable building materials emitting less greenhouse gases. For example, cement is replaced with timber.
Using products with extended lifespan and higher efficiency, such as rechargeable batteries and solar panels.
Using renewable energy sources like hydroelectric power stations that do not emit greenhouse gases, and adopting electrical appliances carrying a 5-star energy efficiency label.
Applying the 5R concept: Refuse, Reduce, Recycle, Reuse, and Rot.
Carbon sinks are natural reservoirs like forests and oceans that remove \(\text{CO}_2\) from the air. \(\text{CO}_2\) dissolves in seawater and is absorbed by green plants during photosynthesis.
A product life cycle starts from source to disposal. There are two types of product life cycles:
Product life cycle where materials from disposed products are recovered through recycling and reused as raw materials for manufacturing new products.
Source → Manufacturing → Transportation → Usage → Disposal → Recycle → Manufacturing
Linear life cycle where the product ends with disposal and decay in landfills without material recovery.
Source → Manufacturing → Transportation → Usage → Disposal → Decay
Upcycling is an efficient management method representing a recycling process used to produce a new product of higher value or quality than its original product. For example, turning used plastic bottles into a plastic broom.
Microplastics are plastic pieces less than \(5\text{ mm}\) in length. They can become hazardous when ingested by aquatic organisms.
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What is the main difference between cradle-to-cradle and cradle-to-grave life cycles of a product?
Give one example of a carbon handprint measure in product manufacturing.
What size defines a microplastic, and why is it dangerous in marine ecosystems?
Carbon sinks like oceans and forests release greenhouse gases into the air.
Carbon sinks actively absorb and store carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, for example via photosynthesis in plants and dissolution in seawater.
Any reduction in electricity use completely eliminates a product's carbon footprint.
Carbon footprint encompasses the entire life cycle, including raw material sourcing, manufacturing, and transport, not just the usage phase.
1 Which of the following is an example of a carbon handprint measure in the manufacturing of a product?
2 What is the defining length criterion for microplastics according to NOAA?
3 Natural reservoirs such as oceans and forests that remove and store carbon dioxide from the atmosphere are known as carbon .
4 The process of turning waste plastic bottles into a new product of higher value, such as a plastic broom, is called .
Drag each concept to the description it matches. On a phone, tap an answer first, then tap a matching box. Tap the Answer Choices area to return a selected item.
Write the correct concept next to each description.
Answer choices: Carbon footprint • Carbon handprint • Cradle-to-grave • Cradle-to-cradle
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