Aaranyam | Herby Power shampoo bar with the goodness of Turmeric bhrigraj Brahmi Amla Shikakai, Neem Reetha and flaxseed Extract known for its hair strengthening properties – 100g for men women traveling friendly

1. Sustainability Aspects:

• Natural Ingredients:
  • Turmeric, Bhringraj, Brahmi, Amla, Shikakai, Neem, Reetha, Flaxseed Extract: These are plant-based ingredients that are renewable, biodegradable, and less harmful to the environment compared to synthetic chemicals. Their cultivation, especially in organic or sustainable farming practices, helps maintain soil health, reduces the need for harmful pesticides and fertilizers, and supports biodiversity.
  • Lavender and Charcoal: Lavender is a sustainable plant that requires minimal water and can be grown in diverse climates. Activated charcoal, when sourced responsibly, is a byproduct of natural materials like coconut shells or wood, making it an eco-friendly component.
• Solid Form Factor (Shampoo Bar):
  • Shampoo bars do not require plastic packaging, reducing plastic waste significantly. Plastic pollution is a major environmental issue, and eliminating plastic bottles in favor of a solid bar format is a sustainable choice.
  • Shampoo bars are typically concentrated, meaning they use less water in production and packaging. This also reduces the weight and volume, leading to lower transportation emissions.
• Low-Waste Production:
  • The manufacturing process of shampoo bars often involves cold-press methods or minimal processing, which consumes less energy compared to the production of liquid shampoos. This contributes to a smaller environmental footprint.
• Biodegradability:
  • The natural ingredients in these shampoo bars are biodegradable, meaning they break down easily in the environment without leaving toxic residues. This reduces the long-term environmental impact.

2. Low Carbon Footprint Justification:

• Local Sourcing:
  • If the ingredients like turmeric, neem, and flaxseed are locally sourced, this reduces the carbon emissions associated with transportation. Sourcing ingredients locally also supports local economies and minimizes the carbon footprint related to logistics.
• Energy Efficiency in Production:
  • The production of shampoo bars generally requires less energy compared to liquid shampoos. For example, liquid shampoos require heating, emulsification, and extensive processing, all of which are energy-intensive. Shampoo bars, particularly those with natural ingredients, are often produced with simpler methods that consume less energy, leading to lower greenhouse gas emissions.
• Reduced Water Usage:
  • The production and formulation of shampoo bars involve less water, both in the product itself and in the manufacturing process. Reduced water usage correlates with lower energy consumption for water heating, purification, and transportation, further contributing to a reduced carbon footprint.
• Longer Product Lifespan:
  • Shampoo bars typically last longer than liquid shampoos, meaning consumers use fewer products over time. This reduces the frequency of production and transportation, cumulatively lowering the carbon footprint.
• Minimal Packaging:
  • As mentioned earlier, the solid form of shampoo bars allows for minimal packaging, often using recyclable or compostable materials. This significantly reduces the carbon footprint associated with packaging production, waste management, and disposal.

1. Ingredient Sourcing:

• Farming & Harvesting:
  • Turmeric, Bhringraj, Brahmi, Amla, Shikakai, Neem, Reetha, Flaxseed: The carbon footprint from farming includes emissions from land use, energy consumption (e.g., machinery, irrigation), fertilizers, and transportation from farm to manufacturing site.
  • Lavender & Charcoal: Similar considerations apply, with charcoal potentially having additional emissions from the process of creating activated charcoal (e.g., heating of coconut shells or wood).
• Calculation Approach:
  • Use average carbon emissions for each type of agricultural practice (e.g., kg CO2e per kg of crop).
  • Factor in transportation emissions from farm to manufacturing site.

2. Manufacturing:

• Energy Consumption:
  • Emissions from electricity, water heating, and other processes used in the production of the shampoo bar.
  • Shampoo bars generally use less energy compared to liquid shampoos, but specific energy consumption data is needed.
• Emissions Calculation:
  • Estimate or obtain data on energy use in manufacturing (e.g., kWh used per kg of product).
  • Convert energy use to carbon emissions using regional energy mix data (e.g., g CO2e per kWh).

3. Packaging:

• Material Used:
  • Typically, shampoo bars are packaged in minimal, recyclable, or compostable materials like cardboard.
• Packaging Emissions:
  • Calculate emissions based on the type and weight of packaging material (e.g., kg CO2e per kg of material).

4. Transportation:

• From Manufacturer to Retailer/Consumer:
  • Consider the distance and mode of transportation (e.g., road, air).
  • Calculate emissions using standard emission factors (e.g., g CO2e per ton-kilometer).

5. Use Phase:

• Water Usage:
  • Estimate the water used per wash and energy for heating the water.
  • This phase usually has a lower footprint for solid bars compared to liquid shampoos.
• Calculation:
  • Estimate the average number of uses per bar and corresponding water and energy use.
  • Convert to carbon emissions using local data on water heating.

6. End of Life:

• Waste Management:
  • If the packaging is recyclable or compostable, emissions from waste management are minimized.
  • The shampoo bar itself is biodegradable, contributing negligible emissions at this stage.

Estimated Carbon Footprint Calculation Example:

• Ingredients:
  • Assuming 0.5 kg CO2e/kg for plant-based ingredients:
    • 100g x 0.5 kg CO2e/kg = 0.05 kg CO2e
• Manufacturing:
  • Assuming 0.2 kWh energy per 100g bar and 0.4 kg CO2e/kWh (regional energy mix):
    • 0.2 kWh x 0.4 kg CO2e/kWh = 0.08 kg CO2e
• Packaging:
  • Assuming 0.01 kg CO2e for minimal packaging:
    • 0.01 kg CO2e
• Transportation:
  • Assuming 0.5 kg CO2e for transportation:
    • 0.5 kg CO2e

Total Estimated Carbon Footprint:

• 0.05 (Ingredients) + 0.08 (Manufacturing) + 0.01 (Packaging) + 0.5 (Transportation) = 0.64 kg CO2e per bar.

Scientific Explanation and References:

• Plant-Based Ingredients and Carbon Sequestration: Plants like turmeric, amla, and neem naturally sequester carbon dioxide during their growth, contributing to carbon capture and helping mitigate climate change. Sustainable agriculture practices can enhance this effect by maintaining soil carbon levels and reducing emissions associated with conventional farming .
• Cold Process Soapmaking: The cold process method used in the production of shampoo bars is energy-efficient as it does not require external heat, making it a more sustainable method with a lower carbon footprint compared to traditional manufacturing processes .
• Packaging and Transportation Impact: Research has shown that plastic packaging accounts for a significant portion of a product's carbon footprint. By eliminating plastic bottles, shampoo bars drastically reduce their overall carbon emissions. Furthermore, lighter products (like shampoo bars) result in lower transportation emissions .