Life cycle analysis - greenwash or deep green?

KeepCups and Life Cycle Assessment

KeepCups were originally designed as a simple solution to a systemic problem - a durable, reusable tool that would outperform single-use disposable cups, reduce waste and inspire positive change for those who use it.

But how do we know this solution is the best course? We have to take into account the carbon impact of its manufacture, packaging, shipping, upkeep, and ultimately, end of service.

We follow the gold standard to underpin our environmental claims, using independent and certified experts Edge Environment to conduct comprehensive ISO 14044:2006 and ISO 14040:2006 compliant life cycle assessments. The original LCA, published in 2018, was peer reviewed by UK-based sustainability consultants Eunomia to rigorously assess data and assumptions and ensure those assumptions (such as electricity and water use) applied to markets beyond Australia - specifically the UK and EU.

Part of the success of KeepCup is the self-evident recognition that single-use packaging is having an impact not just on climate, but pollution and landfill. Any argument that we would be better off with single-use materials that are 'recyclable' or 'compostable' defies common sense and creates inertia around the momentous changes we need to make to how we live and work. When using LCA as a comparative tool, understanding the intended lifespan of the product is critical as it will determine the fitness for purpose.

The efforts of everyday changemakers over the last decade has demonstrated one thing above all else - that people want to be part of the solution and drive positive change. KeepCup is driven by individual behaviour change but, as a collective, we all have the power to remove social licence for single-use products.

KeepCup Thermal LCA

In the second half of 2020, we published an addition to the 2018 LCA document to include the assessment of our new product, KeepCup Thermal (the first LCA has been read over 9000 times on ResearchGate - a significant reach for a scientific document of this type). They're technical, scientific reports that many people won't engage with in depth, so we aim to summarise findings to make them accessible. In doing so we use breakeven points as a useful indicator of impact.

Making the information easy for a large audience to digest is always a balancing act; the result of oversimplification is greenwash. With that in mind, we revisited the report and have added the product lifespan to the carbon impact statement.

We make LCA research publicly available and open for anyone to scrutinise, as well as taking onboard opportunities for improvement.

Product Comparison

The embodied energy in our stainless steel KeepCup Thermal is 24-26 times that of a single-use cup.

Embodied energy is the hidden energy used to extract, transport, manufacture and assemble a product. It is fixed: all the energy used before the product is used.

The embodied energy of KeepCup Thermal is 23,600 kJ; an average polyethylene-coated paperboard cup requires 880 kJ, and a PLA-coated paperboard cup requires 948 kJ.

Carbon Impact

When we analyse one year of coffee drinking (5 coffees a week over 50 weeks - 250 uses):

• After 8 uses, KeepCup Thermal has a lower impact than disposable cups.
• Compared to compostable cups assessed in the study, KeepCup Thermal has lower emissions after just 4 uses.

This analysis is based on a KeepCup Thermal lifespan of 2000 uses - one coffee, five days a week, for eight years. Over this period, every use equals about 8.7 grams of CO2e (about 90% from washing).

This is more than four times lower than a single-use disposable cup.

It is not meaningful to compare a Thermal KeepCup against a single-use disposable cup without considering the full life cycle and use, not just materials.

For the KeepCup LCA, the functional unit that allowed us to compare different cups was defined as one year of use.

The Thermal KeepCup starts with 1/8th of the embodied carbon of the full lifecycle comparison (219 g CO2eq). For each wash you add 7.8 g CO2eq.

After 8 uses you have accrued 295 g CO2eq using the Thermal KeepCup, roughly the same as 8 paper cups with lids (8 × 37 g = 300 g CO2eq).

Product Materials Impact

A 12oz KeepCup Thermal is made of 213 grams of materials:

• 180 grams stainless steel
• 33 grams plastic lid

After one year of coffee drinking, 12oz single-use cups create 3 kg of material waste (cup, plastic liner and plastic lid).

Embodied Carbon per Use

Carbon impacts depend on how many times you use and wash your Thermal KeepCup:

• Once per workday for 8 years → 8.7 g CO2e per use
• Once per workday for 4 years → 9.5 g CO2e per use
• Once per workday for 3 months → 36 g CO2e per use (disposable cup = 37 g CO2e)

Product Lifespan

Does 2000 uses sound like a lot? That's the whole point: remove unnecessary single-use items AND design products for long life AND use them for as long as possible.

The lifespan estimate is based on a 2018 customer survey which found KeepCup Original and KeepCup Brew have an average use-life of 4 years. Stainless steel is more durable than glass or plastic, so we set the Thermal's expected lifespan at 8 years.

The best reusable is the one you use.

Reusables are designed for longevity. They have higher embodied energy because they are durable. Single-use items cost less to produce individually but contribute significantly to waste and convenience culture.

If you're considering buying a reusable for short-term use, consider whether the lifespan will justify the energy invested in making it. If not, enjoy your coffee in-house or reuse a cup you already have.

If high use over many years is your expectation, KeepCup Thermal is a great choice.

The full Life Cycle Analysis can be found here.

The KeepCup Thermal Life Cycle Analysis can be found here.

Glossary

• LCA (Life Cycle Analysis): Assessment of environmental impact across a product's life cycle, including raw material extraction, manufacture, transport, packaging, use and end of life.
• Embodied carbon: Greenhouse gas emissions from extraction and processing of raw materials.
• Embodied energy: Total energy required to extract and manufacture a product.
• Cradle to gate: Life cycle analysis up until the product leaves the factory.
• Cradle to grave: Full life cycle analysis including end-of-life disposal.