A Study on the Environmental Assessment of Bottled Water using Life Cycle Assessment Methodology

Abstract

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to analyze the environmental assessment through the LCA(Life Cycle Assessment) method targeting the bottled water products with the largest distribution proportion in the domestic beverage product in South Korea. In other words, by quantitatively evaluating greenhouse gas emissions and major environmental indicators during the entire life cycle of bottled water products, it is intended to be helpful in product environmental improvement measures by deriving applicable alternatives.Methods : Assessment method of the greenhouse gas emissions and major environmental indicators followed “Guidelines for Environmental Product Declaration of Products” in South Korea. In this study, Carbon footprint and other major environmental indicators(Resource footprint, Ozone depletion, Acidification, Eutrophication, Photochemical smog, Water footprint) of bottled water product were calculated. The life cycle assessment for bottled water products was considered for the Pre-manufacturing, Manufacturing, Distribution and End of life, and Use stage was excluded.Results and Discussion : As a result of analyzing Carbon footprint and other major environmental indicators, Carbon footprint of 500 ml of bottled water is 8.28E-02 kg CO2 -eq./unit, Resource footprint(RF) is 2.34E-03 kg Sb-eq./unit, ozone depletion(OD) is 3.25E-05 kg CFC-11-eq./unit, Acidification(AF) is 3.81E-04 kg SO2-eq/unit eutrophication(EP) is 6.64E-05 kg PO43-eq./unit, photochemical smog(PS) is 6.85E-04 kg C2H4-eq./unit, Water footprint(WF) was evaluated as 1.19E-03 m3 H2O-eq./unit.Conclusion : It was identified that the PET bottle manufacturing process occupies the highest environmental impact in RF, CF, AF, EP and PS. The transportation of bottled water products is the highest at 97.1% in OD, which is attributed to refrigerants such as CFC-114, which are used for cooling while driving vehicles. Based on the research results, in order to improve the eco-friendliness of bottled water, it is necessary to reduce the use of PET bottle resin and increase the use of recycled PET(r-PET) as an alternative technology. It is necessary to expand the introduction of eco-friendly vehicles for product transportation and to improve packaging technology.