Lifecycle Analysis

Analysis for Packaging Savings

Atlantic has invested in Compass software from Trayak to provide accurate LifeCycle Analysis for packaging savings.

The Sustainable Packaging Coalition partnered with Trayak to develop this software that is now used as a standard in the industry.

Atlantic uses this software to develop models for customer sustainability savings. We try to capture as many of the components and inputs as possible to show the most accurate picture of these gains. For example, when we model stretch film savings, we not only capture the actual film savings, but include savings from cores, other packaging, and the pallets.

An example of this calculation for one pound of stretch film is shown below. We also have included an assessment for a 20” film core along with core plugs below.

Compass Software

From Trayak

COMPASS is a life cycle analysis tool developed by the Sustainable Packaging Coalition in a collaborative process.

The tool was created to incorporate environmental performance criteria into the concept development and material selection stages of package design. Data is verified by third party and prominent brand owner companies. Leading companies and educational institutions throughout the world use COMPASS to assess their package designs for sustainability.

Total Environmental Impact

Calculation for 1lb of Stretch Film

This section shows the total impact for each of the selected indicators used for the Life Cycle Analysis. Each indicator is composed of the material extraction, manufacturing, transportation, end of life, and use phase impacts. This will allow you to determine which life cycle phase has the greatest impact. Note: The material phase measures the environmental footprint of extracting and processing materials. The manufacturing phase calculates the impact of the manufacturing or conversion processes that companies use to add value and create the package or product. Use phase includes the environmental impact during the useful life of the package/product. Typically, the use phase impact is due to the consumption of resources like electricity, fuel, or other consumables. For the transportation phase, the impact is calculated based on the mode of transportation (road, rail, air, sea) as well as the distances travelled. The end of life impact calculation incorporates the most likely fate of the product/package and its components based on typical curbside municipal waste management. Typical percentage rates for region based recycling, incineration, and landfill are used to calculate the impacts.

Fossil Fuel Use = 36.41 MJ deprived

Total quantity of fossil fuel consumed throughout the life cycle reported in megajoules (MJ) equivalents deprived. This calculation uses the IMPACT World+ method and assumes fossil resources mainly used for energy purposes. Fossil fuels include coal, petroleum, and natural gas. Inputs for nuclear fuel such as uranium are accounted for in the MINERAL CONSUMPTION metric.

GHG Emissions (with Carbon Uptake) = 1.47 kg CO2 eq.

The total quantity of greenhouse gases (GHG) emitted throughout the lifecycle reported in kilograms of CO2 equivalents. This calculation follows the latest Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHGP) and is updated with latest substance flows and factors from IPCC 2013. This indicator also accounts for carbon sequestration and biogenic carbon emissions.

Water Use = 879.03 liters

The relative available water remaining per area in a watershed after the demand of humans, aquatic ecosystems, and manufacturing process has been met. This metric accounts for water scarcity and the result represents the relative value in comparison with the average liters consumed in the world. Essentially, the total water consumed to make the package is multiplied by the region’s scarcity factor which will either increase or decrease the water usage value based on the scarcity or excess availability of water in a specific region, respectively.

A note about water savings: Many customers are surprised when the impact of water savings is presented. In 2015, the WULCA developed a LCA standard called AWARE . This standard was instrumental in development of the ISO DIS 14046.

Map of AWARE factors for non-agricultural activities Interpretation

Map of AWARE factors for non-agricultural activities (normal average over 12 months) Interpretation – Spatio-temporal scale

The indicator is calculated at the sub-watershed level and monthly time-step, and then aggregated, if needed, to country and/or annual resolution. This aggregation can be done in different ways to better represent an agricultural use or a domestic/industrial use, based on the time and region of water use. Characterization factors for agricultural and non-agricultural use are therefore provided, as well as default (“unknown”) ones if the activity is not known.

Material Utilization Details

Not all stretch films are made from 100% LLDPE. Some may contain percentages of LDPE, PP, and other additives. After multiple analysis of many different configurations, the sustainability impact was not changed substantially from the baseline 100% LLDPE.

This section is used to determine the total quantities of various materials within the BOM. The total mass per packaging system is added up as well as the total mass of all of the packaging systems in this comparison. The equivalency comparison considers different pallet efficiencies and calculates/the total mass of packaging that is being considered in the analysis.

Calculation for 20” Film Core & Core Plugs

This report is used to roll up the chosen sustainability indicators and attributes for the selected portfolio of packages/products. It provides overall actionable metrics to understand the sustainability performance of a company’s portfolio and can be useful in making macro level decisions affecting a range of packages/products. In addition, it can be used alongside the production volumes of each package or product to provide weighted and non-weighted metrics.

Environmental Impact & Package/Product Design Attributes

This section summarizes the overall sustainability metrics for your selected package portfolio

Roll-Up Additional Attributes and Metrics

These are additional sustainability metrics that can be used create a comprehensive environmental impact. These attributes can be calculated on various levels of the packaging system. Where applicable, they are also rolled up for the packaging system.

Material Utilization Details

This section is used to determine the total quantities of various materials within the BOM. The total mass per packaging system is added up as well as the total mass of all of the packaging systems in this comparison. The equivalency comparison considers different pallet efficiencies and calculates the total mass of packaging that is being considered in the analysis.