Environmental impact consists of a range of impact categories, such as carbon footprint, acidification, human toxicity and ozone depletion.
An impact category groups different emissions into one effect on the environment. See below for an overview of environmental impact categories.
What is a Life Cycle Assessment?
Environmental impact of, for example a product, is measured with the methodology of life cycle assessments, LCA. A Life Cycle Assessment study can apply different scopes and can include all life cycle stages of producing a product; from material extraction to end of life.
Impact is calculated on the basis of energy and mass balances of inputs (energy and raw materials extracted from Earthly resources) and outputs (emissions to ecosystems like air, water and soil).
Carbon footprint calculations for climate change strategies at Carl Oscar
We have used the Life Cycle Assessment, LCA-methodology to calculate the carbon footprint of our products.
To view the carbon footprint per product, click here. Additional information regarding the carbon footprint methodology, its limitations and the approach of Carl Oscar can be found below.
By measuring the carbon footprint of our products, Carl Oscar has gained insight into the areas with largest hotspots within the climate change category, which allows us to target areas of concern. For example, the study showed that the material and production phases generally have a high impact on the total carbon footprint.
Within the production phase, we can spot the areas that carry the highest carbon footprint. For example, the electricity use for production carries a significant impact. Our suppliers have already installed solar panels to cover some of the electricity demand for the production, however, the contribution from solar panels can be increased.
Additionally, reducing waste streams can reduce carbon footprint in the production process. Within the materials category, Carl Oscar already provides opportunities to reduce the carbon footprint, e.g. by choosing Tritan Renew and by offering the option to order spareparts rather than complete products when a component needs to be replaced.
Additionally, the use phase results in substantial carbon footprint and is considerably impacted by the dishwashing behaviour of the consumer.
Carbon Footprint Methodology at Carl Oscar
The purpose of our carbon footprint study is to calculate the baseline of our product range. Since it is a large number of products and due to the scope of the project, assumptions and exclusions have been applied to a higher degree than when a single carbon footprint is performed according to the Greenhouse Gas Protocol Product Standard.
The Greenhouse Gas Protocol has been followed when possible, meaning that there are several instances where the standard has not been applied. Therefore, the results presented by Carl Oscar are considered rough estimates and reality impact can deviate from the results of the calculations.
The Carbon Footprint study includes the scope: Cradle-to-Gate. This includes material extraction, pre-processing, production, distribution & storage, use of the product, and waste treatment/end-of-life. The study calculates the impact category of Carbon Footprint.
The Carbon Footprint is calculated using Ecoinvent 3.9 database and direct CO2e results from suppliers when such are available. A report according to the guidelines has not been drafted, nor has a third-party review been performed.
Information was collected during 2023. Data from 2023 or 2022 has been used and it was collected from Carl Oscar, our producers and raw material suppliers. A 1% cut-off rule was applied.
In line with the goal of the study, wherever possible, sub-division between processes has been applied. Neither substitution nor system expansion are relevant to the goal of the study. When allocation has been necessary, physical allocation has been preferred.
This Carbon Footprint study follows the principle “polluters pay”, which means that if several product systems share the same material, the impact shall be assigned to the product that causes the waste. Additionally, if the material does not go to another product system, the final disposal of the material is included within the system boundary.
This study follows the simple cut-off methodology (the recycled content approach and the 100/0 method), therefore, recycling impact is not included in the lifecycle of the product and its packaging.
Assumptions for uncertain data have been clearly documented. In general, assumptions are made in a conservative manner to avoid underestimation of the impact (following the precautionary principle).
Tritan Virgin vs Tritan Renew
The CO2e of Tritan virgin material versus Tritan Renew were provided by the supplier of the raw material. Thus, the difference indicated reduction of Tritan Renew in CO2e is based on a study which Carl Oscar was not involved in. More information can be found on our page about Tritan Renew.
Spareparts
Our calculations indicate that ordering a component versus a whole new product has less impact. This is based on assumptions, such as a linear use of production energy between component weight and type of material, based on the production energy quantities of a whole product.
This may not represent the reality. Similar assumptions were applied to material and packaging use, and other aspects of the component life cycle stages. The same methodology as for the whole product was applied. Therefore, the results are considered rough estimates and reality impact can deviate from the results of the calculations.
Disclaimers
Unique Results
The results presented are unique to the assumptions and practices of Carl Oscar. The results are not meant as a platform for comparability to other companies and/or products.
Even for similar products, differences in for example unit of analysis, use and end-of-life stage profiles, data quality, etc. may produce incomparable results.
Life Cycle Impact Assessment
Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA) results are relative expressions and do not predict impacts on category endpoints, the exceeding of thresholds, safety margins or risks (ISO 14044).
As described by ISO 14067: Carbon Footprint of products: requirements and guidelines for quantification and ISO 14044: Life cycle assessment: requirements and guidelines
By performing a carbon footprint study of a product, the life cycle stages of raw material acquisition, production, distribution use, and treatment of waste are considered when calculating the GHG (Greenhouse Gases) emissions and removals (which reflects the potential effects on the global radiative energy balance over time) expressed in CO2e.
The product system impact related to the “climate change” area of concern may be important. However, there are other areas of concern that the product system may impact, for example, air, water, soil, ecosystems, and resource depletion.
The climate change category is the only one of many impact categories that the product system can effect. Initiatives to reduce e.g. the impact on climate change, may have a different effect on other impact categories.
Therefore, the carbon footprint should not be the sole determining factor within decision-making processes, since decisions based on single environmental issues may conflict with other environmental issues and goals.
Additionally, when making comparative assertions which are intended to be disclosed to the public, carbon footprint Life Cycle Impact Assessment results shall not provide the sole basis.
Limitations
The LCA methodology, which the carbon footprint calculation is used for, has limitations. For example, choices connected to the methodology (e.g. related to the functional unit, system boundary, data collection and allocation procedures) can influence the results of the carbon footprint, or other environmental impact categories. Therefore, any LCA-based results may be subject to limitations in accuracy.
The Study and Results
The study and results have not been third-party reviewed, nor have the GHG Protocol or ISO standards been followed completely or used to make a report.
For more information, please contact us info@carl-oscar.se.
Future Aim of Carl Oscar
Carl Oscar will continue to work with understanding and reducing our environmental impact.
Materials with Lower Carbon Footprint
Carl Oscar will continue to promote materials with lower carbon footprint, and/or less other environmental impact.
Transparent Information
Carl Oscar will continue providing our customers with transparent information regarding our efforts and possibilities for people using our products to contribute to reduce the total impact.
Continuos Dialouge
The calculations of our products will be used in dialogue with our suppliers to invest in targeted efforts to reduce impact within identified hotspots.
Additional Calculations
Future efforts may include calculating additional impact categories.
Get in touch
Finally, at Carl Oscar, we realize that the sustainability area is extensive, and we welcome input from our customers and other stakeholders regarding how we can improve our business in order to decrease our impact. Please contact us if you have any feedback, suggestions or questions.
