🌿 Scientific Sustainability Report: Aloe Vera Foaming Face Wash

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1. Executive Summary

This report evaluates the environmental sustainability of Aloe Vera Foaming Face Wash. Aloe vera is widely regarded for its skincare benefits, including moisturizing and anti-inflammatory properties. However, the overall sustainability of a commercial product depends on multiple factors including raw material sourcing, formulation, packaging, transportation, and disposal.

This report includes:

• Lifecycle Assessment (LCA)

• Carbon Footprint Calculation

• Water Footprint Estimation

• Ingredient and Packaging Impact

• Suggestions for Sustainable Formulation

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2. Product Overview

• Name: Aloe Vera Foaming Face Wash

• Key Ingredient: Aloe barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice

• Typical Volume: 150 ml bottle

• Packaging: PET plastic bottle with pump

• Use Frequency: Daily skincare

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3. Lifecycle Assessment (LCA)

We divide the product lifecycle into:

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4. Scientific Calculations

4.1 Carbon Footprint Estimation

We calculate the Carbon Footprint (CO₂e) of producing 1 bottle (150 ml) of Aloe Vera Foaming Face Wash.

🧪 Calculation Assumptions:

• Aloe vera juice production: ~0.4 kg CO₂e/kg juice

• Surfactants (e.g., Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate): ~6 kg CO₂e/kg

• Water content: ~70% of product, negligible footprint

• PET Bottle (20g): ~2.3 kg CO₂e/kg → 0.046 kg CO₂e/bottle

• Transportation (average local distribution): ~0.02 kg CO₂e/unit

✅ Calculation:

Let’s assume:

• 10% Aloe vera → 15g juice → 0.015 × 0.4 = 0.006 kg CO₂e

• 10% surfactants (15g) → 0.015 × 6 = 0.09 kg CO₂e

• PET bottle: 0.046 kg CO₂e

• Pump: 10g → 10g × 3.5 kg CO₂e/kg = 0.035 kg CO₂e

• Transportation: 0.02 kg CO₂e

Total Carbon Footprint =
0.006 + 0.09 + 0.046 + 0.035 + 0.02 = 0.197 kg CO₂e per bottle

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4.2 Water Footprint

Water used in:

1. Aloe vera farming: ~2,000 liters per kg of aloe leaf

2. Manufacturing (process water): ~2 liters/unit

3. User rinsing (assumed 10s wash): ~1.5 liters

Total Water Footprint:

• Aloe Vera (15g juice → ~150g leaf): 0.15 kg × 2000 = 300 liters

• Processing: 2 liters

• Usage: 1.5 liters

Total ≈ 303.5 liters per unit

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4.3 Waste Generation

• PET bottle: 20g

• Pump: 10g

• Label, residue: 5g
  → Total plastic: ~35g/unit
  → Not biodegradable. Recyclable depending on local facilities.

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5. Environmental and Health Impact of Ingredients

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6. Packaging Sustainability

Recommendations:

• Use rPET bottles

• Switch to biodegradable pumps

• Offer refill stations to reduce single-use plastic

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7. Recommendations for Improved Sustainability

1. Formulation:

   • Increase % of biodegradable ingredients

   • Reduce water usage by using concentrates or solid versions

2. Packaging:

   • Use PCR plastics or bioplastics

   • Move to refillable aluminum or glass containers

3. Carbon Offsetting:

   • Support aloe farming in agroforestry systems

   • Offset production emissions with verified carbon credits

4. Certifications:

   • Aim for ECOCERT, USDA Organic, Cradle to Cradle

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8. References

1. ISO 14040:2006. Environmental Management — Life Cycle Assessment.

2. Bocken, N.M.P., et al. (2016). Product design and business model strategies for a circular economy. Journal of Industrial and Production Engineering.

3. Schyns, J.F., et al. (2019). The water footprint of cosmetics. Environmental Science & Technology.

4. UNEP Life Cycle Initiative. Life Cycle Thinking and Assessment for Sustainable Consumption.

5. EC JRC. (2011). ILCD Handbook – General guide for Life Cycle Assessment.

6. PlasticEurope (2023). Life Cycle Inventory data on plastics.

7. FAO (2010). Aloe vera production and sustainability guidelines.