Life Cycle Assessment Report: Icelandic football jersey Author Edward Arni Palsson (s225091) Kuba Zajac (s225236) Marko Ruzak (s225677) Kheezer Qureshi (s205833) November 16, 2023 LCA Contents Contents 1 Introduction 1 2 Scope and Goal 1 3 Life 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3 3 3 7 7 8 cycle Inventory Data collection and Material Stage . . . Transport Stage . . Production . . . . Distribution . . . . Assumptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Life Cycle Impact Assessment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 5 Limitations 10 6 SDG 10 References 12 i LCA 1 Introduction Figure 1 Football is undoubtedly the most popular sport on earth. The sheer popularity makes football merchandise an extremely profitable business. One of the most popular form of the merchandise here is clothing, and especially football jerseys with the colors of ones favorite team as well as their logo. As such, the size of this market makes it reasonable to investigate how big of an impact it has on the environment, especially considering that most of the clothes that western countries use, are produced in South-East Asia, from where they get shipped to their final destinations. 2 Scope and Goal The scope and goal of this LCA report will introduce the set boundaries that will be reported on. This report is from cradle to gate. To specify, it is all the raw materials, transportation, manufacturing, distribution, and energy consumption at each stage with emissions and waste produced. Use and end of life is not considered in this report since there is no single set regulations as of yet. There are plans set by the European Union, but most of the users and market users are not part of the EU. The football shirt is labelled by PUMA and manufactured in Indonesia. Then transported to the other side of the globe for printing and distribution. Most of the data collected is from online sources, openLCA and sustainability and manufacturing contacts from the fashion industries. Page 1 of 12 LCA Figure 2 Page 2 of 12 LCA 3 Life cycle Inventory The data that has been accumulated comes from a variety of different sources, but mostly through the openLCA software due to lack of transparency within the manufactory processes of the fashion industry. It is a huge problem within this industry. Quote from an innovation forum coordinator at a fashion sustainability NGO located in Denmark. Due to these limitations there have to be some assumptions made in regards of manufacture. Further on in this report it will be further delved into the problems of this. 3.1 Data collection and Assumptions Data collection is mainly done with internet sources and the openLCA database. Most of the process is done in Indonesia. 3.2 Material Stage -Main materials in the Iceland jersey: Shell: 100 polyester. Collar: 80 polyester, 20 elastane. Following the SDG 12 and 13 from the United Nations, which are 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production and 13 - Climate Action, we have been analyzing the different factors related to them: For each of these target areas, which reference the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), PUMA have defined a minimum of three concrete targets as well as key performance indicators to follow the progress that PUMA have made. With PUMA Forever Better sustainability strategy, they continue their path to fully integrate sustainability into all their core business functions. Sustainability targets are part of the bonus arrangements of every member of their global leadership team, from the CEO to Team Heads. Sustainability and the communication of their efforts have also been integrated into the strategic priorities for PUMA. Page 3 of 12 LCA 3.2 Material Stage Figure 3 - Main changes already made by PUMA: • Zero discharge of all hazardous chemicals from our supply chain. • No intentional use of priority hazardous chemicals • Polyfluorinated compounds (PFC) phased out • Restricted Substance List (RSL) failure rate at 1.1 per cent • Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) index for footwear 15.6g / pair • Reduce organic solvent usage to under 10 gr/pair Page 4 of 12 LCA 3.2 Material Stage • No product recall from the market • RSL compliance rate of 98,5 per cent • VOC index at 13.2 g/pair • 98 per cent of polyester used in apparel and accessories originating from certified sources (bluesign and Oeko-Tex) 90 per cent of apparel and accessories classified as more sustainable • Joined Microfiber Consortium • 48 per cent reduction compared to 2021 (189 tons), 99 tons in 2022 • No more plastic bags used starting 1st January 2023 • Support scientific research on microfibers • Research biodegradable plastics options for products • Launch RE:SUEDE as a test for biodegradability - Proposed changes based on the perspective of both goals 12 and 13: • Material Selection: Being able to promote the use of recycled PET in the T-shirt material (20 per cent). Highlight the environmental benefits of incorporating recycled content in the production process. • Water Efficiency: Explore ways to reduce water consumption during the dyeing process. Investigate water-efficient dyeing technologies or alternative dyeing methods that minimise water use. • Waste Reduction: Implement waste reduction strategies during the manufacturing process to minimize offcut/material waste per T-shirt. Consider initiatives for recycling or reusing waste materials. Page 5 of 12 LCA 3.2 Material Stage • Promote Recycling: Communicate the recyclability of PET materials used in the Tshirt and packaging. Encourage consumers to recycle their T-shirts and packaging materials responsibly. • Carbon Footprint Reduction: Exploring ways to reduce the carbon footprint associated with the production of the T-shirt and packaging. Consider using renewable energy sources, optimizing transportation, and implementing energy-efficient manufacturing processes. • Sustainable Packaging: Exploring alternative packaging materials that have a lower environmental impact, using recycled/biodegradable materials for the plastic bag, cardboard box, and packing tape. • Educational Initiatives: Implementing educational initiatives to inform consumers about the environmental impact of the T-shirt and packaging. Raise awareness about responsible consumption, recycling, and the importance of climate action, which is also really integrated on the Iceland society. • Carbon Offsetting: Considering participating in carbon offset programs, as 3Degrees or Native Energy, to compensate for any unavoidable emissions associated with the production and distribution of the T-shirt. This can contribute to climate action initiatives. • Sustainable Practices: Including energy efficiency, waste reduction, and responsible sourcing of materials. • Certifications: We consider obtaining certifications such as eco-labels or sustainability certifications for the T-shirt. This can provide transparency and assurance to consumers regarding the product’s environmental credentials. Patagonia is a clothing brand that does this since many years ago what gives an extra value to the brand. By integrating these considerations into the production and lifecycle of the T-shirt, we can contribute to achieving United Nations SDGs 12 and 13, fostering responsible consumption and production as well as climate action. On the other hand, communicating these efforts transparently to consumers can further support sustainable practices and awareness. Page 6 of 12 LCA 3.3 3.3 Transport Stage Transport Stage The transport is limited from the material stage to the production stage to keep costs at a minimum. The main transport would be to get the PET pellets in this case from Indonesia to Iceland. 3.4 Production The production steps would be making the yarn, spinning it into fiber rolls, then cutting it out and finally sewing. Then it needs to be packaged and labelled. The packaging is plastic bags, also made out of PET, and the labels are also plastic. We assume that the machines work an average of 16 hours a day. The whole process makes t-shirts that have a combination of 80 virgin polyester and 20 recycled polyester. Figure 4 Page 7 of 12 LCA 3.5 Distribution Figure 5 3.5 Distribution Since distribution is worldwide it is difficult to pinpoint where exactly the merchandise is going and where it is stored, but mainly it would go to Iceland, which is 18940 km via sea, which is the preferred shipping method. Figure 6 Page 8 of 12 LCA 4 Life Cycle Impact Assessment Figure 7 The LCA process allows us to meticulously examine the environmental impact of each stage in the jersey’s lifecycle. In particular, we can assess both the resource requirements and the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions associated with each element. Starting at the very beginning, we see the sourcing of raw materials. The production of textiles, whether woven or knitted, consumes a significant amount of resources. This includes not only the materials themselves but also the energy required in the manufacturing process. Our graph illustrates the magnitude of these inputs and, consequently, highlights the environmental footprint linked to the production of the jersey’s fabric. Moving forward in the lifecycle, we delve into the manufacturing stage, where these textiles are transformed into the final football jersey. Here, we again encounter the consumption of materials and energy, as well as the generation of CO2 emissions. Understanding the specifics of these resource expenditures is crucial for Puma and other manufacturers to make informed decisions about efficiency, sustainability, and potential improvements in their production processes. Page 9 of 12 LCA The next point of interest in our graph is the packaging phase. Packaging materials, especially those used for shipping and retail, have their own ecological implications. This phase not only impacts the overall sustainability of the product but also plays a vital role in the protection and presentation of the jersey. By visualizing the quantity of materials used for packaging, we can pinpoint areas for potential reduction or sustainable alternatives. Finally, the distribution stage is revealed on the graph. This phase can entail extensive transportation networks, further contributing to CO2 emissions. Analyzing this segment of the lifecycle allows us to assess the environmental cost associated with delivering the football jersey to consumers. Crucially, our graph provides a comprehensive view of the environmental impact of each element in the production of the Puma football jersey. By breaking down the resource consumption and CO2 emissions at every step, we can identify opportunities for eco-friendly practices and innovations, ultimately reducing the environmental footprint of this beloved sportswear item. 5 Limitations As limitations we can mention the lack of transparency within the manufacturing process. Therefore some assumptions had to be made, as for example with the worktime of the machines producing the jerseys. However, with data collected we found no inconsistencies. As the most ecologically unfriendly in the proccess of final distribution of packaged jerseys, our recommendations would be to move the manufacturing centre closer to the consumer. As our scope we have defined Iceland as the consumer and final destination of the product. Therefore, it would be recommended to move the manufacturing centre as close as possible to Iceland. Considering the issue more globally, we strongly suggest that Puma would split its manufacturing centres of jerseys by regions, focusing on decreasing the travel distance to consumers. That would decrease the emissions drastically, as well as shipping costs, which Puma has to pay third parties. 6 SDG Sustainability and Responsible Consumption (SDG 12): Material Selection: When integrating SDG 12 into the design, Puma can prioritize the use of eco-friendly materials for the jersey. This could involve sourcing recycled or Page 10 of 12 LCA sustainable polyester fabrics, which aligns with responsible consumption practices. Utilizing these materials reduces the environmental footprint of the jersey by reducing the need for new resource extraction. Durability and Longevity: By emphasizing responsible consumption, the jersey can be engineered to be more durable. Quality construction and durability can extend the product’s lifespan, contributing to sustainable consumer behavior. Customers will be more likely to retain and care for a jersey that is designed to last, aligning with the goal of reducing waste and encouraging responsible consumption. Figure 8 Ethical Manufacturing: Puma can ensure that the production of the jersey complies with fair labor practices and worker’s rights, reinforcing the responsible aspect of the product. This commitment to fair labor practices reflects the principles of SDG 12 Climate Action (SDG 13): Eco-Friendly Production: The manufacturing process of the Puma soccer jersey can be optimized to reduce its carbon footprint. Employing renewable energy sources, sustainable manufacturing practices, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions during production aligns with the climate action objective of SDG 13. Eco-Friendly Dyeing Techniques: By using eco-friendly dyeing techniques, Puma can minimize water and energy consumption while also decreasing the use of harmful chemicals. This contributes to reducing the carbon footprint of the jersey and lessens its environmental impact. Page 11 of 12 LCA References Figure 9 Recycling and Circular Economy: Puma can encourage a circular economy approach by designing the jersey in a way that makes it easier to recycle at the end of its life. This supports the principles of recycling and reducing waste, which are integral to SDG 13. By aligning the Puma soccer jersey with these UN Sustainable Development Goals, Puma can not only appeal to environmentally conscious consumers but also demonstrate a commitment to responsible and sustainable business practices. This approach can lead to a more attractive, durable, and eco-friendly product that stands as a symbol of Puma’s dedication to global sustainability goals. It’s a win-win for both the brand and the planet. References https://sdgcompass.org Page 12 of 12
