Environmental impact comparison for different personal care products in selected accommodation sector :|a case study for student dormitories

Abstract

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) studies on the ecological impacts of personal care products (PCPs) are increasing in order to have reliable data used in the evaluation of sustainability concepts. The need for eco-friendly product design and raise environmental awareness among consumers are new trends in PCPs sector. Despite the fact that the production stages of liquid soap, bar soap, shampoo and shower gel have environmental footprints, dramatic environmental impacts come from their usage in hand wash and shower. In this study; environmental impacts of PCPs have been analyzed with GaBi 6.0 Software, EcoInvent Database and CML Assessment Methodology. The combined environmental impacts at use phase in Bogazici University’s Dormitories have been identified using detailed data from industry and consumer-behavior approaches. Seasonal population difference and daily routine changes have also been considered in use stage scenarios. As a result of this study; it is seen that using personal care products have remarkable ecotoxicity potentials due to the packaging materials of products and wastewater released from showers and sinks. The easiest way to dealing with wastewater has been accepted as prevention of waste production. The gray water recovery systems lead to the prevention of the wastewater occurance in use stage of PCPs and also give opportunities to save clean water. The installation of the gray water recovery systems for all dormitories benefits the Bogazici University’s water consumption rates and wastewater pollution loads, at the same time it affects the product’s ecological loads in use phase.