NON-CONSUMABLES
* DURABLE GOODS - CARBON GENERATED BY THE NON-CONSUMABLES PURCHASED
Buying a new durable product adds to the atmosphere an amount of carbon equal to that embodied in the production of that product. Embodied carbon includes that generated in extraction, processing and distribution of the raw materials for the product, plus the carbon generated in manufacturing and distributing the product to its point of use. Generally, the more expensive a product within a product line, the more embodied carbon it will contribute. Collectively, embodied carbon amounts to about 25% of all carbon generated, making it another significant opportunity.
Estimating a value for embodied carbon is difficult because of the many variations in materials, processing, energy sources and manufacturing location. One reliable source gives a value of 0.5 tons for each $1,000 in new purchases avoided. For this calculation the dollar value should be based on the price of a new replacement item, not the used value.
Estimating a value for embodied carbon is difficult because of the many variations in materials, processing, energy sources and manufacturing location. One reliable source gives a value of 0.5 tons for each $1,000 in new purchases avoided. For this calculation the dollar value should be based on the price of a new replacement item, not the used value.
REDUCING EMBODIED CARBON BY EXTENDING SERVICE LIFE
In addition to buying less and buying less expensive products, we can further reduce embodied carbon by extending the service life of a product. The goal is to avoid or delay a new purchase by you or someone else. Throwing away a product that still has serviceable life is like throwing carbon to the atmosphere as it will likely be replaced with a new item. Extending the service life is a big opportunity, and can involve any one of many pathways, as shown in the 8Rs diagram above. Recycling should be delayed until all hope of extending the service life is gone since recycling itself generates more carbon, and the recycled item is likely to be replaced causing a double whammy.
In addition to the 8Rs in the diagram we can also avoid new purchases by repurposing, reselling, renting, sharing or donating a product. This not only reduces carbon, but also provides an opportunity for those less fortunate.
In addition to the 8Rs in the diagram we can also avoid new purchases by repurposing, reselling, renting, sharing or donating a product. This not only reduces carbon, but also provides an opportunity for those less fortunate.
CARBON REDUCTION BY ALTERNATE SHOPPING PRACTICES
Shopping at consignment or thrift shops is a good way to reduce cost and carbon, especially if the need is transient, like clothes for growing children. There are dozens of such outlets ranging from Craigslist, Amazon, Facebook Market to eBay to name just a few of the many places to shop for good serviceable items at a fraction of the cost of a new item.
Being the first owner of any product assigns the embodied carbon to the buyer. This includes new vehicles and new construction houses. Buying a used item (previously owned) does not involve any additional embodied carbon cost as that carbon was credited to the first owner.