Ans: (i) Significant growth in industry of super premium segment . From:. 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 . To bring the metal to its final form, it is heated to extremely high temperatures to remove the binders, and to mold the metal particles together, in turn, creating a very strong and durable metal compound (Siddle, How Is Tungsten Carbide Formed?). 4. This means, of the 2 billion razors disposed of annually within the United States, each razor will be on the planet longer than the people who used them. What makes for an easy, simple, and affordable mass produced and used product costs more in its long afterlife in the landfill, out of sight of the buyers awareness. An exact number for the energy use for BIC was not obtained. Current LMA procurement decisions are typically based on perceived costs. To begin the process of creating the metal, the tungsten is purified and ground into a fine powder. There are three main components in a disposable razor. Anesth Analg 1998;87:921, 3. Though technicians are paid regardless of whether they are cleaning LMAs or are performing some other task, these wages are nonetheless assigned to the reusable LMA on the basis of time spent. Select patients who are highly infective warrant the choice of disposable devices; however, data do not support selecting disposables for all patients to avoid any possible risk of infection. 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. Dbendorf, Switzerland, 2011, 12. All of which provides an easy user experience, but, takes a toll on the planet. : Uses, Benefits, and Safety Facts, ChemicalSafetyFacts.org,). Each razor can last up to 12 gentle shaves. 2.Define the life-cycle This makes it an easy and quick method to start the analysis of a product and aid the designer when creating alternative concepts which are more environmentally friendly, because they can clearly identify what areas need improvement and which ones work well already. to maintaining your privacy and will not share your personal information without 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. Address correspondence to Jodi Sherman, MD, Yale University, School of Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, 333 Cedar Street, TMP3, New Haven, CT 06520. The largest source of GHG emissions for the disposable LMAs (23%) is the production and polymerization of PVC, the main material constituent. Alternate assumptions were used to test model sensitivity and to create bounds to aid interpretation of the results (Table 2). Questions and Answers: CreutzfeldtJakob Disease Infection-Control Practices. One of the materials used is polypropylene, a thermoplastic addition polymer made from the combination of propylene monomers (Creative Mechanisms Staff, creativemechanisms.com). They have estimated that they expend around 11.77 gigajoules of energy per ton of their products that they produce (For You For Everyone Registration Document) The BIC report also categorized the energy where they obtained the energy. (ii)Access paramount's competitive position? The use of LCA to introduce life-cycle thinking into decision-making for the purchase of medical devices in the NHS. For both environmental and cost considerations, management and operating procedures should be put in place to ensure that reusable LMAs are not discarded prematurely. There is also an additional resin called fluorine resin that is applied to the blades, which allows them to freely glide on the skin. Olsen, Alexandra. Resources, Conservation & Recycling 156 (2020) 104704. If all 2.6 billion of those razors each weight 8.8 grams, then the total amount of waste produced would be around 25,220 tonnes. Shabecoff, Philip. The plastic, however stable for the user, remains stable long after it is thrown away as well. 0 Both were assumed to be transported to Los Angeles, CA, by container ship, and from there by truck to the company distribution center in San Diego, CA. 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).). (i)What changes occurring in non-disposable Razor category? Impact Assessment. There are land, air, and water-based transportation methods. Williams S, Henderson K. A survey into the number of times laryngeal masks are used. WC2N 6EZ, Redesigning the razor Life Cycle Assessment. . Cited Here. 3 in Table 1). LCA's are completed particularly in relation to how to develop a sustainable world where less waste and more reuse is implemented. Figure: Life Cycle Assessment steps: goal and scope definition, life cycle inventory, life cycle impact assessment and interpretation (Sala et al., 2016) In the goal and scope phase, the aims of the study are defined, namely the intended application, the reasons for carrying out the study and the intended audience. Manufacturing Processes (RAZOR): KAI FACTORY: KAI Group. KAI FACTORY | KAI Group, www.kai-group.com/global/en/kai-factory/process/razor/. Bic USAs 2016 registration document provides information about the waste produced during the manufacturing of the razors. In the late 1990s, disposable LMAs became available. For You For Everyone: Registration Document.Bic World, Bic, 2016, www.bicworld.com/sites/default/files/2017-03/BIC_DRF2016_EN.pdf. The Bic USAs company website provides information about the making of the razors in the factories, regarding their inspection and factory standards, yet there is no mention for the environmental impact of the disposal. Several waste management scenarios were also considered, including 100% landfilling and 100% incineration, because practices are highly location dependent. Brimacombe J, Keller C, Morris R, Mecklem D. A comparison of the disposable versus the reusable laryngeal mask airway in paralyzed adult patients. What IS Life Cycle Assessment? Properties: Tungsten Carbide-An Overview. AZoM.com, 25 Nov. 2019, www.azom.com/properties.aspx?ArticleID=1203. The GTG LCIs are added together to give a cradle-to-gate (CTG) life cycle inventory . 2. Put the blades in the steel recycling section. h[K#1}\$u@ On the basis of observation at Yale New Haven Hospital, it takes approximately 10 minutes to conduct all cleaning processes for 1 LMA, which is equivalent to roughly $3 in wages. Then we collected and structured the data in phase 2. Bic has attempted to lower their direct emissions by having factories world-wide and creating: a Transport Community which connects shipping managers on each continent to raise control for greenhouse gas emissions, optimize shipments and routes, and use only responsible carriers (Bic). 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. According to studies done by the EPA, tungsten steel was originally tested as a stable metal in soil that does not dissolve easily in water (EPA). PPO elements of the disposable razor are hard to determine in years, however, data shows that most plastic items take up to 1,000 years to begin to decompose (LeBlanc). endstream endobj 752 0 obj <>stream Applying this method of assessment is complex and difficult and translating the theory into a . Bic Disposable Razor (1975). Plastics News Europe, 19 Nov. 2009, www.plasticsnewseurope.com/article/20091119/PNE/311199986/bic-disposable-razor-1975. RSA How Does Polystyrene Recycling Work?HowStuffWorks Science, HowStuffWorks, 4 Apr. BIC reported that every year around 2.6 billion of their razors are chosen by consumers every year (Shaver's). Everything You Need To Know About Polystyrene (PS).Everything You Need To Know About Polystyrene (PS), www.creativemechanisms.com/blog/polystyrene-ps-plastic. Nash, Nathaniel C. HOW BIC LOST THE EDGE TO GILLETTE. The New York Times, The New York Times, 11 Apr. : Uses, Benefits, and Safety Facts. ChemicalSafetyFacts.org, 17 June 2019, www.chemicalsafetyfacts.org/polystyrene/. The purpose of this assessment is to compare two different types of razors: cartridge based vs. double edge safety razor. In addition, although this life cycle assessment study did not analyze health impacts during use of an LMA, intraoperative exposure to diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) is of some concern. Assessing all steps in that life cycle provides insight into individual stresses and burden shifts from one step to another and enables understanding of both the cumulative environmental impacts and related trade-offs in each area, throughout the lifespan of both a facility and its manufactured products. At every point during planning, production, and even marketing, the quantity of consumption should be analyzed to adjust business models accordingly. Its aim is a comprehensive analysis of the environmental impact of products and services. The environmental impacts of the 2 LMAs were estimated using SimaPro life cycle assessment software and the Building for Environmental and Economic Sustainability impact assessment method. 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. Disposable razors are a product that can be found in almost any average bathroom. EPA. Recycling of Polypropylene (PP). AZoCleantech.com, 25 June 2012, www.azocleantech.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=240. 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. Wages are then spent on food, entertainment, transport, and other economic activities that themselves have environmental impacts. The metal is heated to a temperature of 1967-2048 degrees Fahrenheit and tungsten carbide has a specific heat of 0.226 BTU/lb/Fahrenheit (Safety razor). Reducing Trichloroethylene (TCE) Waste in the Fabricated Metals Sector.EPA, Environmental Protection Agency, 9 Aug. 2016, www.epa.gov/toxics-release-inventory-tri-program/reducing-trichloroethylene-tce-waste-fabricated-metals-sector. The mixed plastics used in most of the razor take hundreds of years to break down in landfill, and the blades, while the metal is recyclable if separated from the rest of the product, poses a safety hazard for both the consumer and the employees who handle recyclables. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/cjd/qa_cjd_infection_control.htm. Highlights The long and harmful life-cycle of disposable razors is not reflected to the buyer browsing aisles of fully stocked razor shelves. 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 . To start the process of making the blades, tungsten carbide is melted at high temperatures. In addition to traditional criteria for the selection and purchase of medical devices that include safety, efficacy, and cost, 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 product selection process. It can be used to study the environmental impact of either a product or the function the product is designed to perform. After the reusable LMA was washed and dried, it was then placed into a heat seal pouch, made of polypropylene film and paper. 1. Teoh W, Lim Y. Data is temporarily unavailable. The life cycle assessment software package SimaPro 7.3.2 was used to conduct our analysis.10 The majority of inventory data were drawn from the ecoinvent v2.2 life cycle inventory database.11 Impacts were assessed using the Building for Environmental and Economic Sustainability v4.02 impact assessment method,12 which encompasses both environmental concerns (such as climate change, acid rain and smog formation, water use, and ozone depletion) and human-health-related impacts (such as cancer and noncancer ailments and emission of criteria air pollutants). PurposeIn this study, a life cycle assessment of a bioplastic based diaper was performed. LeBlanc, Rick. Ison E, Miller A. The tables didnt contain values for welding steel, so it has been assumed that the value is close to welding aluminium which is in the table. Safety Razor. How Products Are Made, www.madehow.com/Volume-5/Safety-Razor.html. The aim of this paper is to analyse substitutes to disposable plastic tableware using the Life Cycle Assessment methodology. (iii)What are the strategic lifecycle challenges for paramount's current products as well as for clean edge? Tungsten Carbide. Encyclopdia Britannica, Encyclopdia Britannica, Inc., 17 Dec. 2018, www.britannica.com/science/tungsten-carbide. The study found that: 2. This is shown through their commitment to their eco-design process and new recycling programs that are undergoing testing. On the basis of such criteria, single-use disposable medical devices are increasingly supplanting reusable devices in the United States (US) and elsewhere.1 Although purchase and maintenance costs for disposable devices are perceived to be less than for reusables, this fails to account for indirect costs to society from the environmental impacts attributable to the entire life cycle of a device. BIC has reported their total energy usage and carbon footprint in their factories around the world, this was all however for the year 2016. On the other hand, extending the number of uses to 80 (doubling the lifetime) reduces GHG emissions by 9%. The full life cycle environmental impacts can be challenging to model, because modern production "pathways" can involve numerous interacting technologies, each of which can consume materials and energy that are themselves products of complex production processes. The Potential of Polypropylene.Recycling Today, Recycling Today, 17 July 2019, www.recyclingtoday.com/article/the-recycling-potential-of-polypropylene/. The powder is then shaped, usually by the process of die stamping. Due to the nature of the disposable razor, they are usually just thrown in the trash and sent off to a landfill. Park Ridge, IL: American Society of Anesthesiologists, 1999, 15. The largest sources of both cancer and noncancer impacts for the reusable LMA are from emissions from waste management (35%), the mining and production of metals to build wastewater treatment infrastructure (25%), and the bleaching of packaging paper and the card insert (20%). The 1% of the material that is recycled however, goes through a 5 step recycling process which is collecting, sorting, cleaning, reprocessing, and producing new products. However, by looking at just this one company, there is a sense of the massive amount of direct and indirect emissions from just the making of razors that are thrown away so quickly after use, with an increase annually of users. With such a fast accumulating waste and slow decomposition rate, there must be changes and incentive for companies to rethink the disposable razor. The LMA was then dried with a cotton towel. Sustainable Development Report. 39 ($0.37/Count) FREE delivery Thu, Mar 2 on $25 of items shipped by Amazon. #3. However, because of the new awareness to their wasteful impact on the environment, some companies have begun to provide solutions to the disposable razor issue. It has been assumed that the only part recycled at the end of life is the packaging. The majority of life cycle human health impacts of disposable LMAs are caused by PVC use in packaging and the device itself. Several clinical trials comparing function and ease of placement demonstrated no significant difference between disposable and reusable versions,25 allowing hospitals to base purchase decisions on economic considerations alone. More immediate levels of waste, however, happen during the processing of disposable razors before they are even brought to the buyer and the landfill.