Abstract
A Life-Cycle Inventory (LCI) and Assessment (LCA) database for laundry detergents of the Procter & Gamble Company (P&G) was constructed using SimaPro software. The input data needed to conduct a product LCI came from several different, supporting databases to cover supplier (extraction and manufacturing of raw materials), manufacturing of the detergent product, transportation, packaging, use and disposal stages. Manufacturing, packaging and transportation stages are usually representative of European conditions while the use and disposal stages are country specific and represent how consumers are using a specific product and how wastes are disposed of. The database has been constructed to allow Procter & Gamble managers to analyse detergent products from a system-wide, functional unit point of view in a consistent, transparent and reproducible manner. For demonstrative purpose, a life cycle inventory and a life cycle impact assessment of a P&G laundry detergent used in Belgium is presented. The analysis showed that more than 80% of the energy consumption occurs during the consumer use stage (mainly for heating of the water). Air and solid waste follow the same pattern, most of these being associated with die energy generation for the use stage. More than 98% of the biological oxygen demand, however, is associated with the disposal stage even after accounting for removal during treatment. Future challenges are the completion and/or updating of all detergent ingredient inventories.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Explore related subjects
Discover the latest articles, news and stories from top researchers in related subjects.Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
SETAC (1993): Guidelines for Life Cycle Assessment: A code of Practice. Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, Pensacola, FL., Sesimbra, Portugal
ISO 14040 (1997): Environmental Management-Life Cycle Assessment—Principles and Framework. ISO/FDIS/ TC207SC514040/1997(E)
ISO 14041 (1998): Environmental Management—Life Cycle Assessment—Goal and Scope Definition and Inventory Analysis. ISO/TC207/SC5/DIS 14041
ISO 14042(1999):EnvironmentalManagement-LifeCycle Assessment—Life Cycle Impact Assessment. Committee Draft. ISO/TC207/SC 5N 97
ISO 14043 (1999): Environmental Management—Life Cycle Assessment—Life Cycle Interpretation. Draft International Standard. ISO/TC207/SC 5N 104
Pré (1999): SIMAPRO 4.0. PRé Consultants B.V. Plotterweg 12, 3821 BB Amersfoort, The Netherlands
Stalmans M, Berenbold H, Berna JL, Cavalli L, Dillarstone A, Franke M, Hirshinger F, Janzen D, Kosswig K, Postlethwaite D, Rappert T, Renta C, Schrarer D, Schick K P, Schul W, Thomas H, Van Sloten R (1995): European life-cycle inventory for detergent surfactants production. Tenside Surfactant and Detergent 32: 84–109
FAL (1994): Resource and environmental profile analysis of product and packaging of four granular detergent formulations. Report prepared for The Procter & Gamble company. Franklin Associates, LTD
Vignon BW, Tolle DA, Cornaby BW, Latham HC (1993): Life Cycle Assessment: Inventory Guidelines and Principles. EPA risk reduction engineering laboratory, Office of Research and Development. EPA/600/R-92/245
Fawer M (1996): Life Cycle Inventory for the production of zeolite A for detergents. Report No. 234. Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Testing and Research (EMPA). St. Gallen
Fawer M (1997): Life Cycle Inventory for the production of Sodium Silicates for detergents, Report No 241. Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Testing and Research (EMPA). St Gallen
Boustead I, Fawer M (1998): Ecoprofile of perborates. CEFIC, av E. Van Nieuwenhuyse 4, box 1. B. 1160, Brussels
Boustead I, Fawer M (1998): Ecoprofile of hydrogen peroxyde. CEFIC, av E. Van Nieuwenhuyse 4, box 1. B. 1160, Brussels
Dall’acqua S, Fawer M, Fritschi R, Allenspach C (1999): Life cycle inventories for the production of detergent ingredients. Nr 244. EMPA, St Gallen
Franke M, Kluppel H, Kirchert K, Und Olschewski P (1995): ökobilanzierung—Sachbilanz für die Waschmittel-Konfektionierung. Tenside Surfactant and Detergent 32: 508–514
Boustead I (1993): Eco-profile of European plastic industry, Report 2: Olefin feedstock sources; Association of plastic manufacturers in Europe (APME) Brussels
Buwal 250 (1996): Okoinventare fur Verpackungen. Schriftenreihe Umwelt 250 Bern
Møiler J (1995): Washing Machine Dryers and Dishwashers. Background Report No 2, Statistical Analysis. Group for Efficient Appliances (GEA)
Saouter E, Van Hoof G, Feijtel TCJ, Stalmans M, Uhl JC, Vollebergt LHM, Westra J (1998): Life Cycle Inventory on laundry detergents: An analysis of the LCI profiles of liquid and powder detergents. In 38th WFK International Detergency Conference, Seidenweberhaus, Krefeld, Germany.
Aise (1998): AISE Code of Good Environmental Practice: Baseline report to te European Commission, Year 1996. PriceWaterHouseCoopers
Commission of the European Communities (1998): Commission recommendation of 22 July 1998 concerning good environmental practice for household laundry detergents. 98/480/EC. Official Journal of the European Communities. L215/73
Aise (1998): Annual review. Association Internationale de la Savonnerie, de la Detergence et des Produits d’Entretien. Brussels, Belgium
De Oude NT (1992): Anthropogenic compounds: Detergents. Springer-Verlag, Berlin, Heidelberg, New York
Feijtel TCJ, Struijs JE, Matthijs E (1999): Exposure modelling of detergent surfactant—Prediction of 90th percentile concentrations in the Netherlands. Environ Toxicol Chem 18: 2645–2652
Struijs J (1996): SimpleTreat 3.0: a model to predict the dis- tribution and elimination of chemicals by sewage treatment plants. National Institute of Public Health and the Environment (RIVM). Report 719101025, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
Ecolabel (1995): Commission decision of 25 July 1995 establishing the ecological criteria for the award of the community eco-label to laundry detergents. Official Journal of the European Communities 95/365/EC. L217: 0014–0030
Peek CJ, Mulschlegel JHC, Versteegh JFM (1995): Waterleidengbedrijven. Werkgroep Emissies Servicebedrijven en Produktgebruik. RIVM (rapport 773003003), Riza (notanr 93.046/H4), DGM en CBS. Bilthoven, The Netherlands
Peek CJ (1993): Rioolwaterzuiverringsinrichtingen. Werkgroup Emissies Servicebedrijven en Produktgebruik. RIVM (rapport 773003003), Riza (notanr 93.046/H1), DGM en GBS
Cbs (1997): Waterkwaliteitsbeheer, deel b, Zuivering van afvalwater. Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek
Spold (1997): The SPOLD file format (http:/www.spold.org/ publ/index.htmlk Society for promotion of life-cycle assessment development, Brussels
Heijungs R, Guinée JB, Huppes G, Lankreijer R M, Udo De Haes H A, Wegener Sleeswijk A, Ansems AMM, Eggels PG, Van Duin R, De Goede HP (1992): Environmental life cycle assessment of products. Guide LCA. CML Leiden, The Netherlands
Berna JL, Cavalli L, Renta C (1995): A life-cycle inventory for the production of linear alkylbenzene sulphonates in Europe. Tenside Surfactant and Detergent 32: 122–127
Hirsinger F, Schick KP (1995): A life-cycle inventory for the production of alcohol sulphates in Europe. Tenside Surfactant and Detergent 32: 128–139
Berenbold H, Kosswig K (1995): A life-cycle inventory for the production of secondary alkane sulphonate (SAS) in Europe. Tenside Surfactant and Detergent 32: 152–156
Thomas H (1995): A life-cycle inventory for the production of alcohol ethoxy sulphates. Tenside Surfactant and Detergent 32: 140–151
Postlethwaite D (1995): A life-cycle inventory for the production of soap in Europe. Tenside Surfactant and Detergent 32: 152–156
Schul W, Hirsinger F, Schick KP (1995): A life-cycle inventory for the production of detergent range alcohol ethoxylates in Europe. Tenside Surfactant and Detergent 32: 171–192
Hirsinger F, Schick KP (1995): A life-cycle inventory for the production of alkyl polyglucosides in Europe. Tenside Surfactant and Detergent 32: 193–200
Boustead I (1994): Eco-profile of the European polymer industry. Report 6: Polyvinyl chloride. Association of plastic manufacturers in Europe (APME) Brussels
Schmidt A (1997): Life cycle analysis of savinase 10 TA+. SETAC Congres, Amsterdam, DK Technik
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Saouter, E., Hoof, G.v. A database for the life-cycle assessment of procter & gamble laundry detergents. Int J LCA 7, 103–114 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02978854
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02978854