Assessment of Packaging Material Life Cycle
Honkimo, Pirjo (2013)
Oulun seudun ammattikorkeakoulu
2013
All rights reserved
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-201303203478
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-201303203478
Tiivistelmä
Nokia Siemens Networks believes that their packing materials used for standard product deliveries are environmentally friendly. They had an interest to verify this assumption by evaluating environmental impacts in more detail. The purpose of this Master’s Thesis was to define and create a Life Cycle Assessment model for most commonly used packaging materials.
The packing materials used in China were evaluated. The kickoff meeting with suppliers was the starting point for data collection. After some iteration, a Life Cycle Assessment model was created and finalized with the SimaPro tool. The results were analyzed, documented and reviewed in the steering team. Due to the lack of detailed information, the total life cycle of the packing items from design to disposal was not covered by this study. The study does not bring up any major concerns but confirms the strategic choices to be on the right track.
As a conclusion, the packing materials used by Nokia Siemens Networks were confirmed to be environmentally friendly. The packing items did not include any banned substances. The LCA results and the impact on the packing designers’ work was documented and communicated. The identified improvement proposals were put forth into the packaging design process. Results from different suppliers were found to be quite similar. There is always a possibility to find more sustainable packing methods. NSN continues to work in that area in the future, too, by regularly evaluating new materials and packing methods.
The packing materials used in China were evaluated. The kickoff meeting with suppliers was the starting point for data collection. After some iteration, a Life Cycle Assessment model was created and finalized with the SimaPro tool. The results were analyzed, documented and reviewed in the steering team. Due to the lack of detailed information, the total life cycle of the packing items from design to disposal was not covered by this study. The study does not bring up any major concerns but confirms the strategic choices to be on the right track.
As a conclusion, the packing materials used by Nokia Siemens Networks were confirmed to be environmentally friendly. The packing items did not include any banned substances. The LCA results and the impact on the packing designers’ work was documented and communicated. The identified improvement proposals were put forth into the packaging design process. Results from different suppliers were found to be quite similar. There is always a possibility to find more sustainable packing methods. NSN continues to work in that area in the future, too, by regularly evaluating new materials and packing methods.