Evaluation of CO2 Emission of the Packaging for a Video Camera Recorderomparison of Molded Pulp and Expanded Polystyrene

Abstract

CO2 emission of the packaging for a video camera recorder were evaluated. We measured the emission involved in transporting the raw materials and molded samples and producing the molded. The emission involved in the disposal of packaging were not considered. We determined that molded pulp made of recycled pulp has lower CO2 emission (-77%) than expanded polystyrene (EPS) made of virgin material because molded pulp does not need to be subjected to the steam-expansion process and because the packaging can be stacked so it takes up less space while being transported.The weight of molded pulp packaging must be kept within four times that of the EPS packaging if the CO2 emission of the molded pulp packaging are to be less than that of the EPS packaging.The evaluation of a molded cushion added to a carton of corrugated fiberboard shows that molded pulp made of recycled paper produces -34% less CO2 emission than the new EPS although the use of corrugated fiberboard increases the weight 40%.