As Raw as it Gets:
Cradle-to-Gate Results from CRMD

The Canadian Raw Material Database (CRMD), introduced in Glass Works Summer 1996 issue, ("Do you have your Drivers License?"), is an industry supported initiative. Its mandate is to look at opportunities for life cycle improvements using Life Cycle Inventory (LCI), an element of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) - ISO 14040. The ISO methodology was applied to ensure a high level of quality and consistency in the gathering of data. Figure 1, which shows how a unit process was characterized in the study, documents input materials, energy flow and emissions. Note that this methodology is useful in determining the environmental aspects and impacts of an organization's activities, products and/or services, which is part of the planning process required in ISO 14001.

The goal of the CRMD study was to provide a life cycle inventory (LCI) database for commodities produced by various material groups. CRMD defined its boundaries as "cradle-to-gate." This information was gathered to support voluntary improvements in the environmental performance of their products, and to perform screening LCI studies in making product and process design decisions*. This industry effort supports the pollution prevention initiatives of the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME). Materials included were steel, plastics, aluminum, paper, wood products and, of course, glass. All seven of Consumers Glass plants participated in the study which captured data for 1996.

The glass product systems under the study included flint, amber and emerald glass as shown in Figure 2. These three product streams were studied from raw material extraction through product manufacturing, inclusive of all related transportation.

This research provided a quantitative baseline, which future improvements in energy efficiency and environmental performance can be measured against. This information will contribute to achieving the goal of helping the glass supply chain, including downstream container glass users, better understand the environmental consequences of their choices and activities, and to find ways to reduce associated environmental impacts.

Why is this research particularly important? The bottom line is the process used and the data gleaned can be used to develop a far more sophisticated sustainable approach. To date, many decisions concerning the environment have been made purely on one or two of the three criteria necessary for sustainability. Either economic or socio-political concerns have driven changes. Decisions were emoted more often than being based on good science. This is not as much a fault as just plain fact. Armed with this LCAtool, not only can the glass container industry improve its decision making, the process can be used to provide the glass supply chain (See Summer 1997 - Packaging Stewardship) with more sustainable opportunities for improvement.

Consumers Glass submitted its report to the CRMD Peer Review Panel and Environment Canada in August 1999. Following a peer review, Environment Canada will be responsible for releasing the data in late November to the public. Contact Duncan Bury at Environment Canada, Phone: (819) 953-0459; Fax: (819) 953-7970, email: Duncan.Bury@ec.gc.ca.

*LCA studies are turning up valuable information. 70% of the cost of a product's development, manufacture and use are determined in the initial design of a product. This makes design a crucial determinant in the product's competitiveness. Environmental risk or value is also determined in the design phase.

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