As demonstrated above, NuPlastiQ® is roughly carbon neutral at BioLogiQ's gate.
That makes estimating the resin related GHG saving, at your gate, as simple as:
1. Learn the "at gate" GWP (Global Warming Potential) value for your base resin from a reputable source, such as https://www.plasticseurope.org/en/resources/eco-profiles.
E.g. GWP100 for 1 kg of LDPE is listed as 1.87 kg CO2-eq. (GWP100)
2. Calculate GWP saving for your use case.
E.g. 1:1 replacement ratio (by weight), 30% NuPlastiQ® blended with 70% LDPE:
Before: 1 kg of LDPE x 1.87 = 1.87 kg CO2-eq.
After: [0.3 kg of NuPlastiQ x 0] + [0.7 kg of LDPE x 1.87] = 1.31 kg CO2-eq.
Net saving: 1- [1.31 ÷ 1.87] = 30% lower resin related GWP at factory gate
E.g. Final structure 10% heavier for same function, 30% NuPlastiQ® blended with 70% LDPE:
Before: 1 kg of LDPE x 1.87 = 1.87 kg CO2-eq.
After: [0.33 kg of NuPlastiQ x 0] + [0.77 kg of LDPE x 1.87] = 1.44 kg CO2-eq.
Net saving: 1- [1.44 ÷ 1.87] = 23% lower resin related GWP at factory gate
Note: A heavier structure "at gate" will have downstream GWP implications (more energy for transport, etc.). Estimated saving "at gate" will likely be reduced.
E.g. Final structure 10% lighter for same function, 30% NuPlastiQ® blended with 70% LDPE:
Before: 1 kg of LDPE x 1.87 = 1.87 kg CO2-eq.
After: [0.27 kg of NuPlastiQ x 0] + [0.63 kg of LDPE x 1.87] = 1.18 kg CO2-eq.
Net saving: 1- [1.18 ÷ 1.87] = 37% lower resin related GWP at factory gate
3. Get an idea of what the saving represents by using comparative tools such as EPA's "Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator".
E.g. 30% NuPlastiQ® , 1:1 by weight, 100 metric tons of packaging per year
Before: 100,000 kg of LDPE x 1.87 = 187 metric tons of CO2-eq.
After: [30,000 kg of NuPlastiQ x 0] + [70,000 kg of LDPE x 1.87] = 131 metric tons of CO2-eq.
Net saving: 187 - 131 = 56 metric tons of CO2-eq. per year (resin related GWP at factory gate)
EPA's tool calculated GHG equivalency (Aug 5th 2019): 19.5 metric tons of waste recycled instead of landfilled per year.
Note: Please recognize the limitations of these simplified calculations. While useful to estimate resin related benefits, they do not include all elements needed to calculate the GWP of a final product: printing inks, label, resin processing energy (e.g. injection molding), etc. Consult an LCA expert prior to making GHG-related claims.
** when blending NuPlastiQ® to fossil-based resins. 1:1 replacement ratio by weight. Comparison of ready to use resin blend at factory's gate.
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