The total amount of Direct emissions from BIC factories was 8,689 tonnes of carbon dioxide (For You For Everyone Registration Document). The results also suggest effective procurement strategies for reducing the impacts of disposable LMAs where they are selected. Staff, Creative Mechanisms. After reaching the end of their useful lives, both LMAs and their respective packages entered waste management, which was modeled using US average statistics on recycling/composting, landfilling, and incineration.15 Although some incineration facilities also produce electricity, this credit is not included here. Another material used is polystyrene. Manufacturer specifications indicate 20 kWh of electricity use for a 5-minute cycle at 135C. We purchase the product in a store, use the product for removing unwanted body and facial hair until it eventually dulls, and then we toss it in the bathroom trash, unaware of where it goes or where it came from. 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. Contribution: This author helped design the study, analyze the data, and prepare the manuscript. Yet, as they are designed to be thrown away after use, a question is raised of their fast accumulating waste and its impact on the environment. What Is Tungsten Carbide or Hard Metal? AZoM.com, 2 Aug. 2009, https://www.azom.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=4827. h[K#1}\$u@ Certain practices would further reduce the environmental impacts of reusable LMAs, such as increasing the number of devices autoclaved in a single cycle to 10 (25% GHG emissions) and improving the energy efficiency of the autoclaving machines by 10% (8% GHG emissions). International Sympsium on Sustainable Systems and Technology. endstream endobj 749 0 obj <>/Metadata 40 0 R/Pages 746 0 R/StructTreeRoot 63 0 R/Type/Catalog>> endobj 750 0 obj <>/MediaBox[0 0 612 792]/Parent 746 0 R/Resources<>/Font<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI]>>/Rotate 0/StructParents 0/Tabs/S/Type/Page>> endobj 751 0 obj <>stream 8 John Adam Street This means that it takes around 1 BTU to heat a 0.035-ounce razor blade to the desired temperature (Julabo et.al). And then there's the water. Product Ecology (PR) Consultants. The life cycle impacts of the disposable and reusable LMA options are shown in Figure 2 for all impact categories, on the basis of data from Yale New Haven Hospital. Sherman JD, Ryan S. Ecological responsibility in anesthesia practice. Any extra plastic will be discarded, remelted, and reused (Safety Razor, madehow.com). Health care facilities can decrease their environmental impacts by using reusable LMAs, to a lesser extent by selecting disposable LMA models that are not made of certain plastics, and by ordering in bulk from local distributors. The body of both razors had similar impact as their weights were also quite similar. Individually autoclaving the reusable LMA (because of stock shortages, for example) increased life cycle GHG emissions by >400%, whereas loading with 10 LMAs per cycle decreased emissions by nearly 25%. Overall, reusable LMAs were found to have fewer negative environmental effects in nearly all categories, typically contributing <50% of the impacts of disposable LMAs. 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. These results will then be used to inform the design process and improve the redesigned razor. 2. Life-cycle assessment (LCA) is a process of evaluating the effects that a product has on the environment over the entire period of its life thereby increasing resource-use efficiency and decreasing liabilities. The Bic Razor, Still the Sharpest of the Bunch. Plastics Le Mag, 31 Jan. 2017, plastics-themag.com/The-Bic-razor-still-the-sharpest-of-the-bunch. With the results we supply the basis for strategic decisions for sustainable action. This obviously makes the results less accurate, but it can still be used as a general indicator of impact. Despite this, a general perception is that reusable LMAs possess a safety profile inferior to that of disposable LMAs, thus contributing to the proliferation of the latter. Everything You Need To Know About Polypropylene (PP) Plastic. Everything You Need To Know About Polypropylene (PP) Plastic, https://www.creativemechanisms.com/blog/all-about-polypropylene-pp-plastic. Polypropylene. Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 30 Nov. 2019, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polypropylene. The alternatives are objects made of bio compostable plastic,. On the Venus Gillette company website, they provide the buyer with a guide for choosing which razor is best by asking: When it comes to choosing a razor, how do you know if a disposable or reusable razor is right for you? (What's the Difference Between Disposable and Reusable Razors for Women? Venus)This question, however, only affects the buyers short usage time, and does not provide any information as to the rest of the razors life-cycle after they are ready for a new razor blade and they: throw away the entire razor and grab a new one as recommended by the manufacturer (Venus). The biggest impact during the cartridge-based razor life-cycle is manufacturing the cartridge as this is the part which is hardest to make. This is only the operational energy consumption, but you still have to take into account all the energy used in the design and installation of the machinery. . 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). Another advantage is that the process produces a single score (Eco-Indicator Point) for the all the impacts of the product, not just individual ones for each part. EPA. 11 / Piece. Max Soft Disposable Razor For Women - 3 Pcs In A Pack. A Life Cycle Assessment of Disposable Razors. However, given the environmental toll to such a fast accumulating, and non-biodegradable product, waste management must be more considered by both the manufacturers and the buyers. LCA's are completed particularly in relation to how to develop a sustainable world where less waste and more reuse is implemented. In this case its much harder for me to carry out an LCA on a Gillette razor than if Gillette did the LCA themselves, as they would have all the correct info required first-hand (reducing the number of assumptions needing to be used). Alternate assumptions were used to test model sensitivity and to create bounds to aid interpretation of the results (Table 2). Ison E, Miller A. The 2 LMA options are nearly equivalent in terms of eutrophication impacts, but with different contributions. may email you for journal alerts and information, but is committed Teoh W, Lim Y. Anesth Analg 1998;87:921, 3. The majority (77%) of life cycle CO2e emissions for the reusable LMA is from natural gas production and combustion to produce steam for the autoclave machine. Washington, DC: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2000 rev, 25. The Potential of Polypropylene.Recycling Today, Recycling Today, 17 July 2019, www.recyclingtoday.com/article/the-recycling-potential-of-polypropylene/. The metal used for the razor blades is called Tungsten Carbide which is used in wear applications, such as shaving (Safety Razor). After that, the metal is pressed down to the desired blade thickness which is around 1mm (Manufacturing Processes). The razors are mainly made of plastic, so they will be decomposing at a very slow rate in the landfill. To compile a detailed life cycle inventory of the environmental burdens 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. Features Downloads. Figueredo E. Changes in the intracuff pressure of the laryngeal masks airway caused by repeated use. After the parts are manufactured it is time for the final product assembly. Bic Disposable Razor (1975). Plastics News Europe, 19 Nov. 2009, www.plasticsnewseurope.com/article/20091119/PNE/311199986/bic-disposable-razor-1975. Reusable LMAs in general appear to be made largely of silicone, lacking these same concerns for PVC/DEHP. The extraction and consumption of resources (including energy), as well as releases to air, water, and soil, are quantified throughout all stages. The company urges users to mail packages over 15 lbs., in order to reduce the waste of mail as well, yet is not necessary. It is a thermoplastic that exhibits high heat resistance, dimensional stability, and accuracy and is often combined with other plastics, such as polystyrene, due to various problems in its processing (Poly(p-Phenylene Oxide, Wikipedia.org). Experience spanning from the market-leading environment and climate practice of a global top 10 law firm - to leading Europe's largest . Main methodological choices . What Is Polystyrene? 4. It has a low density and is quite flexible and heat resistant, therefore making it an easily moulded and extruded material. Comparison of disposable and reusable laryngeal mask airways in spontaneously ventilating adult patients. Because the human health impacts of the disposable LMAs are dominated by plastics, increasing the amount of PVC by 10% leads to a significant (>5%) increase in cancer and noncancer effects. Tungsten Carbide. Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 26 Nov. 2019, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tungsten_carbide. Manufacturing Processes (RAZOR): KAI FACTORY: KAI Group.KAI FACTORY | KAI Group, www.kai-group.com/global/en/kai-factory/process/razor/. Life cycle assessment, according to ISO 14040/44, is conducted in four steps [29,30,31]: (1) goal and scope definition, (2) life cycle inventory, (3) life cycle impact assessment, and (4) interpretation. Contrary to common expectation, hair is actually pretty hard. Click the image for pricing & more info. The second component of the razor is the plastic body which is made of a fairly inexpensive plastic called polystyrene. Your message has been successfully sent to your colleague. Questions and Answers: CreutzfeldtJakob Disease Infection-Control Practices. Quantifying the Environmental Impacts of Labor. Ann Fr Anesth Reanim 2006;25:8114, 7. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. A life cycle assessment (LCA) is used to identify the environmental risks of existing and planned products, services and manufacturing processes as well as identify strategic improvement opportunities. There are some solutions and new recycling ideas, yet, the reduction of waste for disposable razors is still far off. a Centers for Disease Control. This project is a collaboration between the Great Recovery Programme and Fab Lab London. 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. It is also often not accepted in curbside recycling, and even when it is, it is not separated and recycled when it reaches the dumping station, making it an unsustainable and wasteful material (Polystyrene. Wikipedia.org). 6,474. Anaesth Intensive Care 2004;32:5304, 4. Reusable LMA cleaning was observed to proceed as follows. With such a fast accumulating waste and slow decomposition rate, there must be changes and incentive for companies to rethink the disposable razor. Yet, tungsten has been found to deposit particles into the soil that causes some contamination, making it a recent concern to the United States Environmental Protection Agency. American Medical Association (AMA). During production, two components have to be created which are the blade and the plastic body. associated with the environmental interventions attributable to the life-cycle of a product. Camera visual inspection is performed and This is all to ensure BICs quality standards are being met and ensure a quality product. More immediate levels of waste, however, happen during the processing of disposable razors before they are even brought to the buyer and the landfill. The metal is not yet to its final form, as it is still greatly held together by the previously added binders. Safety Razor. How Products Are Made www.madehow.com/Volume-5/Safety-Razor.html. Recommendations for Infection Control for the Practice of Anesthesiology. A 2005 analysis published by U.K. To begin the process of creating the razor blades, tungsten carbide, which is the metal that the blades and other optional components are made of, must first be manufactured. Nash, Nathaniel C. HOW BIC LOST THE EDGE TO GILLETTE. The New York Times, The New York Times, 11 Apr. Everything You Need To Know About Polystyrene (PS).Everything You Need To Know About Polystyrene (PS), www.creativemechanisms.com/blog/polystyrene-ps-plastic. 2011, Packaging Technology and Science. American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Task Force on Infection Control. This assessment is exceptionally useful as it shows the designer what areas are the most impactful during the products life cycle. 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 . In life cycle assessment, the basis of comparison is called the functional unit. For this report, the functional unit of the disposable and reusable LMAs was taken to be maintenance of airway patency by 40 disposable LMAs or 40 uses of 1 reusable LMA.9 Data collection was specific to Yale New Haven Hospital, including device transportation, cleaning procedures and labor, energy requirements, and disposal. Current LMA procurement decisions are typically based on perceived costs. Disposable and reusable LMAs typically differ in material composition, packaging, reuse, and cost. BIC currently holds around 11 percent market share in disposable razors (Nash). (i)What changes occurring in non-disposable Razor category? Enter the email address you signed up with and we'll email you a reset link. Overcash M. Comparison of reusable and disposable medical textiles. Can J Anaesth 2001;48:40912, 22. Siddle, Dave. The life cycle of plastics Life cycle assessment (LCA) considers the environmental aspects associated with a product over its lifespan. With the amount of waste accumulated from the factories and the bulk of the razors ending up in landfills and oceans, a low price of $1 removes the buyer from how high the cost on the environment a disposable razor is. The plastic and steel elements of the razor can be recycled, yet, because they are so lightweight and small it makes it hard to separate in the trash and unable to be recycled normally. The studies have not found it to be harmful to drinking water, or public safety, however, it is an ongoing research of soil data that continues. In this process, the metal is heated to temperatures of 1,967-2,048F (1,075-1,120C), then quenched in water to a temperature between -76- -112 F (-60- -80 C) to harden it. 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). The life of a typical razor blade is not an easy one. For You for Everyone Registration Document. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) measures the impact of products on the environment. 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. : Uses, Benefits, and Safety Facts. ChemicalSafetyFacts.org, 17 June 2019, www.chemicalsafetyfacts.org/polystyrene/. BIC has done their best to deal with waste in an environmentally conscious manner. Brimacombe J, Keller C, Morris R, Mecklem D. A comparison of the disposable versus the reusable laryngeal mask airway in paralyzed adult patients. Uncertainties about the correctness of the model. Marine cargo ships use a fuel called heavy fuel oil which produces around 145,000 BTU per gallon (Energy Consumption by Mode of Transportation.). Finally, the assessment will be carried out on the new design to assess if it has a lower impact than the other options analysed. The autoclave was typically run with 5 LMAs, although loading varied significantly. qILL@#nO @8 The majority of life cycle human health impacts of disposable LMAs are caused by PVC use in packaging and the device itself. The remaining percentage is split up between energy consumption in their three facilities in: Clichy (France), Shelton (U.S.), and Cajamar (Brazil) (For You For Everyone: Registration Document, Bic). Williams S, Henderson K. A survey into the number of times laryngeal masks are used. The alloy is strong enough to resist moisture for a short time in the buyers shower, yet, in the landfill, it does eventually rust and decompose. We are proud that it is among the leading professional LCA software . These few simple materials go through processes of heating, cooling, moulding, cutting, and sharpening throughout their manufacturing process to eventually become the handle, razor blades, and blade cartridge, that will then be assembled to become a disposable razor. 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. From:. 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. After the products make their way to consumers and serve their purpose, the waste must be dealt with. The blades and lubricating strip were too light to be measured with our equipment so their weights were rounded to 1g. The data collected through LCA helps organizations make conscious decisions that affect the environment. Case Studies. Case Studies : Reducing BIC's Rejection Rates | KEYENCE America, www.keyence.com/solutions/case-studies/bic.jsp. BIC reported that the weight of one of their most popular disposable razors is 8.8 grams (Shavers). a 4.1% (Bic). 2002/03 and 2005/06, to include an assessment of the effects of a range of behavioural assumptions on the life cycle environmental impacts of the reusable nappy types, and to compare these with each other and with modern disposable nappies. I found information about the whole blade manufacturing process, but could not find details about energy consumption in every step of the process. A SYSTEMATIC METHODOLOGY FOR ACCURATE DESIGN-STAGE ESTIMATION OF ENERGY CONSUMPTION FOR INJECTION MOLDED PARTS. 769 0 obj <>stream The fewer LMAs placed in the autoclave, the larger the impacts on GHG emissions and global warming on each individual unit. A Comparative Life Cycle Assessment of Disposable and Reusable Packaging for the Distribution of Italian Fruit and Vegetables. Land transport like trains and trucks use diesel as fuel and that produced 138,700 BTU (Energy Consumption by Mode of Transportation.). By raising awareness and creating locations where one can drop off used razors for recycling, perhaps a change can come. Overall, while the materials for disposable razors are few, and the products basic design makes it appear simplistic, the products lifecycle is far from simple. The unit cost of disposable LMAs is 20% higher at approximately $9.60 per unit. Decision makers have typically favored disposable LMAs because the purchase price is perceived to be less for a comparable quantity of disposable LMAs, in comparison with 1 reusable LMA with its associated labor costs for in-house reprocessing.6. Phoenix: IEEE, 2008, 23. During the research, I could not find how much energy BIC injection molding machines use, but I did find the energy usage of a common injection molding machine called the Babyplast. Julabo Gmbh, et al. LCA can be used to compare alternative products, processes or services; compare alternative life cycles for a certain product . In the late 1990s, disposable LMAs became available. The life cycle for disposable razors must first be assessed by the products design. Resources, Conservation & Recycling 156 (2020) 104704. Since BICs products do not go to a single location it is impossible to give an exact number for BICs energy usage in transportation. It has been assumed that the packaging contains cardboard, even though it has been made from other natural fibres like bamboo, as there is no info on those materials in the Eco-Indicator tables. This is done on an assembly line by the robotic arm the inserts the razor blade into the small crevices in the plastic body. The cartridge-based razor had a slightly higher impact due to the rubber parts which cant be separated from the plastic body. HUO0NpnaJd@"&u[kj-+8=WU\*w)OMYb_ry> 1F3 nyNnb 0 We performed a life cycle assessment of 2 analogous LMAs, the disposable LMA Unique and the reusable LMA Classic, according to internationally accepted standard life cycle assessment methods (ISO 14040: 2006). #3. Approximately 24 L/min of water are used by the autoclave for cooling, for a total of 960 L of water needed to sterilize an LMA 40 times. It takes a lifetime perspective LCA takes into consideration all the steps that lead from raw material through manufacture, distribution and usage to final disposal. A complete life cycle cost analysis would complement the life cycle assessment results shown here; however, a simple analysis reveals that, assuming full utilization, a $200 reusable LMA costs $5 per use, plus $3 per cleaning for a unit cost of $8, excluding utility and hospital overhead costs. In this paper, life cycle assessment (LCA) has been used as a tool to quantify the environmental impacts of disposable medical face masks. But what really goes into making one of these seemingly mundane disposable razors and what happens to it after its tossed in the trash? %PDF-1.5 % Powers, Matt, and Amanda M. Can You Recycle Disposable Razors? Earth911.Com, 30 July 2019, earth911.com/living-well-being/health/can-you-recycle-disposable-razors/. A life cycle assessment (LCA) is a tool for analyzing the environmental impacts and resources used throughout a product's life, from raw materials extraction to production, and extending through product use and disposal. However, it is fairly easy to find what the disposable razors components are made of, due to its simplicity. There are 3 key tasks in this step. Steel Life Cycle.SSAB, www.ssab.com/company/sustainability/sustainable-offering/steel-life-cycle?di=discover21C927E58ECC41198B78D915F7E3E2AF. B|$5 Marinella Levi. In addition, the impact categories of eutrophication (growth of microorganisms due to excess nutrients) and terrestrial ecotoxicity reflect the impacts on other species and ecosystems and have implications for public health.