Small steps, big impact: How the product carbon footprint can drive sustainability in business

What is the product carbon footprint?

A product’s total carbon footprint is composed of numerous stages across the value chain. To calculate the final CO_2e  footprint of a product, every step must be considered in detail – from raw material extraction, production, and transportation to usage and, ultimately, disposal or recycling. These individual partial product carbon footprints (PCFs) together make up the total CO_2e footprint of a product and represent the total amount of greenhouse gas emissions released over the course of the product’s life cycle. 

1. Material selection

The raw material used has a major impact on the CO_2e footprint of packaging. Calculations by Greiner Packaging show that approximately 80% of emissions stem from the material.  Recycled materials like r-PET can significantly reduce emissions compared to virgin materials.

2. Weight

The weight of a product plays a critical role in its resource consumption. Reducing weight – regardless of the material used – means fewer raw materials are required and processed. This can lead to significant overall emission reductions. In addition, lighter product variants, such as plastic compared to glass, can also reduce transport emissions, providing an added benefit.

3. Energy consumption

The energy used in production also has a considerable impact. Not only the type of electricity matters, but also the energy efficiency of production processes. Using green electricity in combination with efficient manufacturing methods can significantly reduce the PCF.

4. Recycling potential

Materials that can be reused multiple times or efficiently recycled help reduce the PCF. High recyclability at the end of a product’s life reduces waste and lowers the need for producing new materials.