Challenge
Study the life cycle impact of the high outdoor wardrobe from the Planet series.
Result
Life cycle assessment
Client:
Keter Italia SpA
SDGs
Keter Italia S.p.A. is a multinational company with over 70 years of history, specializing in the production of plastic storage and furnishing accessories. The design of Keter’s products has received international recognition, including Red Dot Design Awards, the ID Annual Design Review, and the DIY Product of the Year.
Keter Italia contacted HENRY & CO. to study the environmental impact across the entire life cycle of the high-wardrobe model from the Planet outdoor line.
The Planet Outdoor High is a water-resistant and UV-resistant outdoor wardrobe, equipped with metal hinges and adjustable shelves. 80% of the polymer component is made from recycled materials.
The project’s initial phase involved a visit to the company’s production facilities, followed by an interview aimed at deeply understanding the technical design of the product, the materials used, and the production processes.
During the data collection phase, all information regarding materials, energy consumption, transportation, and waste from the product’s manufacturing process was gathered.
Subsequently, a mathematical model was created to represent the product’s life cycle. Thanks to the LCA mathematical model, it was possible to quantify the potential environmental impacts of the product.
In addition to the LCA study, a sensitivity analysis on the main plastic material was conducted, highlighting the difference in environmental impact if the main component were made from virgin material rather than 80% recycled material.
From the Life Cycle Assessment results conducted by HENRY & CO., it was possible to adopt a precise view of the potential environmental impacts of the wardrobe and the opportunities to further reduce its ecological footprint.
Images: Keter Italia S.p.A.