FIRA International Ltd A BMTRADA Group CompanyHughenden Valley High - PDF document

1 FIRA International Ltd  A BMTRADA Group
FIRA International Ltd  A BMTRADA Group CompanyHughenden Valley, High Wycombe,Buckinghamshire, HP14 4ND, UK FIL019/RIGA/11/11 Back to contents page Back to contents page Benchmarking carbon footprints of furniture products Total TimberFoamsTextilesMetalPlasticPackagingTransportUtilitiesOther Dining table footprint & board& fillings 10.960.090.000.181.278.562.7123.7810.96 2.237.540.000.621.074.631.4517.532.23 18.000.000.002.001.0012.000.0033.0018.00 Dining chairs 3.061.170.600.180.000.191.558.562.71 5.365.821.200.090.000.192.218.562.71 3.2919.032.400.350.000.191.418.562.71 Waiting room beam seating 0.0016.0056.001.0075.000.00Unknown3.000.00 6.008.0

2 040.001.0057.006.00Unknown3.000.00 Break
040.001.0057.006.00Unknown3.000.00 Breakdown of contract furniturecarbon footprint data Appendix 7 Back to contents page 57 Benchmarking carbon footprints of furniture products Breakdown of office furniture - deskscarbon footprint data Appendix 6 1600mm x 1800mm Total TimberMetalPlasticPackagingTransportUtilitiesOther rectangular desk footprint & board 10.005.001.003.000.005.001.00 12.004.000.002.000.005.002.00 10.7919.120.000.007.270.890.36 12.7218.050.002.342.551.680.10 14.3814.160.000.000.780.890.36 13.4910.170.271.130.713.040.85 12.1316.190.460.621.264.633.41 12.7634.410.390.001.275.761.50 6 people bench desk 54.55185.827.6618.190.953.040.32 53

3 .39119.940.000.002.535.763.40 1600mm x 8
.39119.940.000.002.535.763.40 1600mm x 800mm wave desk 11.3938.700.002.508.581.680.10 1600mm x 1200mm work station 16.7219.280.180.001.255.761.50 Back to contents page Benchmarking carbon footprints of furniture products Breakdown of office furniture - storagecarbon footprint data Appendix 5 Total TimberMetalPlasticPackagingTransportUtilitiesOther Desk high pedestal footprint & board 6.703.7818.220.882.450.891.85 11.464.020.561.190.551.680.10 13.8910.887.610.343.440.892.09 11.995.350.110.950.763.040.74 14.738.050.110.950.823.040.93 13.000.000.001.000.005.001.00 9.860.230.001.061.071.080.10 14.160.000.000.621.154.630.47 Tambour 18.764.849.441.451.73

4 1.680.10 17.902.1232.750.531.434.632.91
1.680.10 17.902.1232.750.531.434.632.91 Steel pedestal 0.0035.400.003.903.141.680.10 Wood filing cabinet 22.005.002.003.001.005.001.00 34.005.001.005.002.005.005.00 15.001.000.003.000.005.001.00 26.065.940.041.542.151.680.10 Back to contents page 55Benchmarking carbon footprints of furniture products Total TimberFoamsTextilesMetalPlasticPackagingTransportUtilitiesOther Office task chair footprint & board& fillings 0.004.248.5318.0326.654.445.266.144.53 0.003.395.1428.2811.580.004.696.140.54 0.003.1813.2493.3013.544.446.546.142.72 0.0015.218.5355.1311.133.504.106.143.25 0.253.730.0128.657.710.957.016.146.96 0.003.770.9343.5541.380.122.360.890.20 0.0

5 05.550.978.8622.000.121.710.890.20 0.002
05.550.978.8622.000.121.710.890.20 0.002.821.058.0948.280.190.933.040.32 0.740.030.5637.2912.400.400.933.040.32 0.001.041.050.0038.460.301.244.633.41 0.002.001.0020.0020.001.006.003.003.00 0.0011.002.0010.0023.000.002.003.003.00 0.006.002.008.0053.000.002.003.003.00 Office visitor reception chair 7.365.7925.5825.480.464.445.196.140.41 0.465.494.244.015.784.443.696.140.00 2.935.0917.0525.980.592.962.196.140.54 2.564.880.012.750.000.952.316.143.06 3.9525.9917.053.470.133.503.566.140.54 1.252.371.577.420.000.230.897.581.19 0.653.961.236.5222.640.231.027.582.87 0.653.611.239.5119.910.231.197.582.87 0.511.941.055.650.910.231.007.582.46 0.0052.006.007.00

6 0.000.002.003.000.00 1.003.003.005.0011.
0.000.002.003.000.00 1.003.003.005.0011.000.001.003.000.00 0.000.000.004.0014.000.001.003.000.00 5.005.002.008.000.000.001.003.000.00 0.002.001.009.0014.000.001.003.000.00 0.000.000.004.000.000.002.003.000.00 3.006.001.0010.000.000.002.003.000.00 3.006.003.0010.000.000.002.003.000.00 2.004.006.008.001.000.003.003.000.00 2.004.002.008.001.000.002.003.000.00 Breakdown of office furniture - chairscarbon footprint data Appendix 4 Back to contents page Benchmarking carbon footprints of furniture products Total TimberFoamsTextilesMetalPlasticPackagingTransportUtilitiesOther & board& fillings 14.9957.3825.007.710.003.445.515.600.13 13.6449.0322.396.860.00

7 3.164.855.600.13 12.1932.4118.665.160.00
3.164.855.600.13 12.1932.4118.665.160.003.164.215.600.13 16.8545.0824.667.710.003.447.375.600.13 15.1349.0128.279.070.003.647.075.600.13 9.3940.5521.353.630.771.202.733.403.32 8.7338.9110.133.420.741.204.503.401.28 12.0937.9031.784.740.003.167.515.600.44 12.0032.009.004.000.000.005.003.000.00 12.0032.0012.004.000.000.002.003.000.00 8.0031.0013.003.000.000.006.003.000.00 9.2120.117.013.540.001.943.235.600.13 7.0213.037.024.430.001.942.635.600.13 7.0213.037.024.430.001.942.665.600.13 2.9130.102.400.180.000.192.238.562.71 4.646.299.741.930.600.641.143.401.68 Footstool 2.743.881.770.570.001.751.045.600.06 Electric chair 11.4214.373.0028.212.650.743.508

8 .562.71 Sofa bed 9.557.4619.7635.871.030
.562.71 Sofa bed 9.557.4619.7635.871.030.647.383.402.54 Breakdown of upholstery furniturecarbon footprint data Appendix 3 Back to contents page 53Benchmarking carbon footprints of furniture products Total TimberFoamsTextilesMetalPlasticPackagingTransportUtilitiesOther Mattress & board& fillings 023.776.487.160.002.811.202.140.14 025.0517.4616.130.002.812.152.140.14 023.736.207.160.002.811.202.140.14 0128.1827.330.000.002.813.032.140.14 018.8210.2027.760.001.040.583.400.05 09.608.5427.730.001.040.543.400.22 039.355.9834.900.001.040.693.400.28 042.0110.7423.690.001.041.013.400.70 036.066.1632.820.001.040.703.400.88 068.234.670.160.514.871.123.400.05

9 017.5520.5227.770.001.040.763.400.05 02.
017.5520.5227.770.001.040.763.400.05 02.0017.0030.000.002.001.0015.000.00 09.003.0033.000.002.001.0015.000.00 029.0037.0017.000.002.002.0015.000.00 048.0012.0047.000.002.001.0015.000.00 046.340.7424.163.151.901.444.930.33 036.812.8448.375.683.171.564.931.29 014.251.1016.451.161.871.294.930.33 049.9910.2916.644.522.701.454.930.33 Single/double divan 414001133 7321011132 10538031150 13031041150 2200402251 1501012251 1301112251 2400712251 7.001.006.000.000.001.001.0015.000.00 3.282.951.700.130.000.560.413.400.00 Breakdown of bedding furniturecarbon footprint data Appendix 2 Back to contents page Benchmarking carbon footprints of furniture products Tot

10 al TimberMetalPlasticPackagingTransportU
al TimberMetalPlasticPackagingTransportUtilitiesOther 500mm storage unit footprint & board 28.212.211.340.153.299.912.93 26.131.591.340.153.459.913.98 14.002.992.731.553.6512.561.84 8.846.680.850.210.804.932.73 1000mm storage unit 14.902.992.731.694.1112.562.07 19.612.992.731.694.5912.562.12 16.1913.551.520.540.672.574.35 Worktops 14.950.381.333.000.7020.3614.95 20.280.381.463.000.7025.8320.28 19.930.381.453.000.7025.4719.93 27.050.381.633.000.7032.7627.05 Appliances housing 19.052.992.731.554.6012.562.12 20.142.161.600.110.581.563.01 12.944.351.390.320.371.561.10 19.9914.321.671.461.042.571.05 Base sink unit 8.802.905.260.300.321.562.63 Back to co

11 ntents page Breakdown of kitchen furnitu
ntents page Breakdown of kitchen furniturecarbon footprint dataBenchmarking carbon footprints of furniture products Total TimberMetalPlasticPackagingTransportUtilitiesOther 1000mm wall unit footprint & board 13.681.131.170.412.037.260.78 13.202.660.020.214.839.911.42 9.992.040.020.213.959.911.97 9.990.620.030.381.503.000.74 10.801.770.000.310.974.933.68 500mm wall unit 6.230.350.030.201.847.260.83 10.270.640.070.540.532.572.14 7.631.720.020.103.489.911.02 6.762.350.020.103.519.911.37 4.400.310.030.381.133.000.45 7.242.992.731.553.4012.560.90 5.981.180.040.280.231.561.30 6.520.950.780.300.221.561.90 4.871.030.000.210.654.931.80 1000mm drawer line un

12 it 18.347.432.680.813.217.260.99 19.373.
it 18.347.432.680.813.217.260.99 19.373.931.280.215.119.911.01 17.802.031.280.212.519.912.22 14.217.542.731.694.1412.561.60 500mm drawer line unit 10.373.521.720.002.437.261.32 13.743.891.280.062.189.911.58 13.101.981.280.061.999.911.63 15.864.502.731.553.6212.561.00 13.110.291.260.300.291.562.33 10.910.691.630.300.231.562.41 13.0210.810.641.220.622.574.20 12.4412.930.840.210.784.932.46 Full height base unit 6.140.360.080.381.183.000.77 8.011.991.270.290.321.561.63 11.660.471.260.550.582.574.35 9.560.170.810.210.604.931.82 Appendix 151 Back to contents page Benchmarking carbon footprints of furniture products Back to contents page 49 Benchmarking c

13 arbon footprints of furniture products R
arbon footprints of furniture products References 1.Le Treut, H., R. Somerville, U. Cubasch, Y. Ding, C.Mauritzen, A. Mokssit, T. Peterson and M. PratherContribution of Working Group I to the FourthAssessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel onClimate Change [Solomon, S., D. Qin, M. Manning, Z. Back to contents page Provide advice to the UK furnitureindustry and furniture specifiers on approach to carbon footprinting in the industry. This lack ofHowever, this does not mean that the industry should ignoreTo take benchmarking forward, a number of issues need  Any carbon footprinting methodology for the furnitureindustry needs to be accessible

14 to companies of all  Greater consistenc
to companies of all  Greater consistency in the way that companies recorddata is needed.  A larger amount of data needs to be generated to  How to easily address the impacts of imports and  Reporting footprints on per kg or per product cost, orother basis to create more realistic comparisons couldbe considered.  Ways of incorporating other environmental criteria(i.e. re-use, recyclability, life span).manufacturing industries. For example the computer industrycan be a very useful tool for the furniture industry. The more Benchmarking carbon footprints of furniture products furniture industry. The more the Back to contents page 47 Benchmarking

15 carbon footprints of furniture products
carbon footprints of furniture products Conclusions information from the industry. The research shows that, whenusing the simple standardised methodology, comparison ofwithin the furniture industry. be available to the manufacturer.Further objectives were also set for the project. methodology, from which UK furniture However, whilst some companies have been collating data for Examine the viability of comparing thesuitable for comparisonProvide industry benchmarks for sectors within the industry. The results of the study showedmethodology, comparison of furniture products on a like forindustry. The results are not suitable for a stakeholder to make

16 Back to contents page Benchmarking carbo
Back to contents page Benchmarking carbon footprints of furniture products 16.0 Advice to specifiers organisational and product carbon footprints is featuringincreasingly in tenders for the supply of furniture and relatedservices. In the absence of any carbon footprint benchmarks in thefurniture industry for either individual products or forbusinesses, and with the danger of inconsistentlegitimate quantitative comparisons solely based onmanufacturer’s self declarations when evaluating tendersubmissions.The purpose of this project was to investigate the viability ofbenchmark average data that would allow specifiers to makean informed decision on the

17 environmental impact of abenchmarks to
environmental impact of abenchmarks to be established:  Large volumes of data are needed to producestatistically accurate average values.  Carbon footprinting methodologies require accurateassessment boundaries.  Product life span, re-use, recyclability, toxicity are all importantenvironmental performance. For example, selecting aFurniture Industry Sustainability Programme (FISP) indicatesinadvisable, however, to rely on quantitative product Back to contents page 45Advice to manufacturers Benchmarking carbon footprints of furniture productsBenchmarking carbon footprints of furniture products indicates that the furniture industry, in order to b

18 ring about theproducts. It is, however,
ring about theproducts. It is, however, important not to use this informationof life characteristics, toxicity, durability and the availability ofimportant to involve them early. The reason for this being that Back to contents page Benchmarking carbon footprints of furniture productsBenchmarking carbon footprints of furniture products The use of carbon footprinting data has advantages, in that itis relatively widely known and understood, however it is onlyone element of the total assessment of the environmentalimpact. Carbon footprinting only assesses embedded carbonof materials, manufacturing and company processes. A more inclusive assessment of e

19 nvironmental impact shouldinclude such e
nvironmental impact shouldinclude such elements as:  The toxicity of any substances used in  Product life span  Recyclability and reusability  For example, by using the Cradle to Gate assessmentmethodology, a product could be designed to have a very lowaddress a key area of cost and risk. However, it should beAs illustrated previously, there are obvious shortcomings when“A static Product Carbon Footprint stand-alone label providing Carbon footprinting addresses a high profile andparticularly important environmental issue, enabling Back to contents page 43 Benchmarking carbon footprints of furniture products  sample numbers are low. The remedy

20 is to undertake a  Despite the best int
is to undertake a  Despite the best intentions of the researchers, it was  Furniture Footprinter™ tool used for the project onlymanufactured in the UK. It is not suitable for estimatingthe US or Far East, where the embedded carbon  Similarly when components and hardware arepurchased from overseas manufacturers the carboncountry of manufacture), and contains no energyusage component. This may mean a manufacturerusing imported components may be assigned a loweror higher footprint than is actually the case.  usability in the Furniture Footprinterfootprint is your primary motivating factor. This ismaterials. However, while this is a problem, it is

21 clear  supplier, (carbon emissions attr
clear  supplier, (carbon emissions attributable to transport arethe product footprint and hence not a huge factor.  components of an item like a task chair. This may resultA more detailed and lengthy, and hence expensive, The key component that makes up the carbon Back to contents page Benchmarking carbon footprints of furniture products The carbon footprint for mattresses varies considerably.However, a consumer could make an informed decision onTask chair (n=13) 020406080100120140160180 Back to contents page 41 Benchmarking carbon footprints of furniture products Feasibility of benchmarking industry. In doing so companies wishing to make greenT

22 ask chair (n=13) 0100e Back to contents
ask chair (n=13) 0100e Back to contents page 13.0Benchmarking carbon footprints of furniture products Carbon footprinting is a complex science. Full producta degree of uncertainty, but is a cost effective alternative to  Footprints for some materials are not available and a  Determining the exact make up of composite productsestimating the average makeup of the materials in aproduct (such as a castor). However overall, the  over or under-estimating the true carbon footprint of a  extending to the first supplier. If a company is buyingPotential uncertainties in estimating the impact of Utilities canBusiness model – different business models and

23 industry. A company may essentially asse
industry. A company may essentially assembleUtilities averaged across different product types –Companies record their total manufacturing output in Uncertainty Back to contents page Benchmarking carbon footprints of furniture products 39 For both products, the raw material content is responsible forDining chair footprints are governed by the style of the chair.by switching to fillings with the least carbon impact. However,example, the office sector. Contract dining tables Timber and boardFoams and fillingsTextilesPackagingTransport 5-10 Contract dining chairs Timber and boardFoams and fillingsTextilesPackagingTransport 5-10 Back to contents page

24 12.1 Introduction Contract furniture ex
12.1 Introduction Contract furniture extends wider than the office sector,office sector. It includes supply to commercial premises such 12.2 Product selection designed to fulfil a specific contract. For this reason, the highThese items are shown in Table 7 together with the average Benchmarking carbon footprints of furniture products Results - Contract furniture12.3 Carbon footprint analysis Full data sets for contract furniture are in Appendix 6. For the 01020304050 Dining table % Timber and board Foams and fillings Textiles Plastic Packaging Transport 01020304050 Dining chairs % Timber and board Foams and fillings Textiles Plastic Packaging Tran

25 sport Table 7 Item Number of products Nu
sport Table 7 Item Number of products Number ofmanufacturers Dining table3325 Dining chairs 3 Waiting room2166 Figure 13The average total carbon footprint of keycontract furniture items Back to contents page Contract Back to contents page Benchmarking carbon footprints of furniture products some manufacturers. Two manufacturers imported significantskewing the transport figures considerably, whilst others Office desks Timber and boardPackagingTransport 5-10-15 Back to contents page 11.0Benchmarking carbon footprints of furniture products 11.1 Introduction Office desk manufacturers in the UK supply large amounts ofproduct to the contract sector and o

26 ften install deskingsystems as well as s
ften install deskingsystems as well as selling pre-made or flat packed desks.These companies frequently offer whole office solutions16 11.3 Carbon footprint analysis Appendix 6. However, for the purposes of the detailedthe UK. Results - Office desks Figure 11The average total carbon footprint of a1600mm x1800mm rectangular desk. Timber and board Metal Packaging Transport 01020304050 Office desk % 11.2 Product selection the work place. Table 6 shows the most common office desktypes selected for assessment in this study. also shown in Table 6. Table 6 Item Number of products Number ofmanufacturers 1600mm x 1800mmrectangular desk 8 6 people benchdesk

27 1163 1600mm x 1200mmwork station 1 Back
1163 1600mm x 1200mmwork station 1 Back to contents page Benchmarking carbon footprints of furniture products For both items, the largest carbon contribution is found in theFor the desk high pedestal, the carbon impact of metal andFor desk high pedestals, the greatest variation in the carbonFor the bookcases, the main variables are the timber/board Desk high pedestal Timber and boardPackagingTransport 5-10 Bookcase Timber and boardPackagingTransport 5-10 Back to contents page 3310.1 Introduction There are two main types of office storage manufacturers,those that focus predominantly on metal storage and those16 10.2 Product selection an office were

28 assessed for this study. These are show
assessed for this study. These are shown inTable 5 together with the average carbon footprint for each 10.3 Carbon footprint analysis Full data sets for all office storage items are in Appendix 5.For the purposes of detailed analysis, two key items were Benchmarking carbon footprints of furniture products 10.0 Results - Office storage Figure 9The average total carbon footprint of key officestorage items. Timber and board Metal Packaging Transport 0102030 4050 6070 Desk high pedestal % Timber and board Metal Packaging Transport 0102030 4050 6070 Table 5 Item Number of products Number ofmanufacturers Desk highpedestal Wooden filing2148 Tambour Stee

29 l pedestal1144 Cupboard Back to contents
l pedestal1144 Cupboard Back to contents page Benchmarking carbon footprints of furniture products For a task chair, the two major contributors to the finalapproximately 70% of the total footprint of a task chair. TheFor a task chair, the greatest variation is within the keymechanism. However, more design-led products often use Task chair Timber and boardFoams and fillingsTextilesPackagingTransport 0-402040 Visitor chair Timber and boardFoams and fillingsTextilesPackagingTransport 0-402040 Back to contents page 9.0 9.1 Introduction There are many players within the UK office seating industry.the UK. However the majority of manufacturers would be a

30 9.2 Product selection Two different type
9.2 Product selection Two different types of chairs were assessed for this study andthese are shown in Table 4. A task chair is a chair with a seatdesk and a computer, while a visitor chair is a side chair forare shown in Table 4. Results - Office chairs9.3 Carbon footprint analysis Full data sets for both types of chairs are contained in Timber and board Foams and fillings Textiles Plastic Packaging Transport 01020304050 Task chair % Timber and board Foams and fillings Textiles Plastic Packaging Transport 01020304050 Visitor chair % Benchmarking carbon footprints of furniture products Table 4 Item Number of products Number ofmanufacturers Task ch

31 air 13 Visitor chair 3 Back to contents
air 13 Visitor chair 3 Back to contents page Benchmarking carbon footprints of furniture products Office Back to contents page 29 Benchmarking carbon footprints of furniture products For an armchair, the impact of company specific utilities and Sofa Timber and boardFoams and fillingsTextilesPackagingTransport 5-10-15 Armchair Timber and boardFoams and fillingsTextilesPackagingTransport same energy to manufacture. However, it is not possible to Back to contents page Benchmarking carbon footprints of furniture products 8.1 Introduction In 2009 the sector recorded sales of over £1.3 billion, withimports accounting for approximately 43% of this16 Resul

32 ts - Upholstery8.3 Carbon footprint anal
ts - Upholstery8.3 Carbon footprint analysis Full data sets for all the upholstery items are in Appendix 3.However, for the purposes of detailed analysis, only two keyto be made. Additionally, sofas and armchairs represent the Timber and board Foams and fillings Textiles Plastic Packaging Transport 01020304050 Timber and board Foams and fillings Textiles Plastic Packaging Transport 01020304050 Table 3 Item Number of products Number ofmanufacturers Arm chair 5 Footstool Electric chair 1 Sofa bed1188 8.2 Product selection assessment and are listed in Table 3. The average carbon Photo courtesy of Wesley-Barrell Back to contents page 27 Benchmarking ca

33 rbon footprints of furniture products ca
rbon footprints of furniture products carbon footprints. For example, the carbon footprint item of equal size. However, the data contains divans ofFor mattresses, the greatest variation in carbon impact wasthe spread of results. For example, two foam mattresses werefootprints. For example, the carbon footprint of a doublethat of cotton based wadding. Wool is considered a textileThe use of felt, however, is a relatively carbon efficient methodSimilarly, the tool indicates that polyurethane foam has anthan cotton wadding. Frequently fillings are made up of a Back to contents page Benchmarking carbon footprints of furniture products quite different fr

34 om each other. For mattresses, the carbo
om each other. For mattresses, the carbon impact of raw materials (i.e.For double divans, whilst the carbon impact of the rawhowever, was due to data relating to one product assessed Double mattress Timber and boardFoams and fillingsTextilesPackagingTransport 10080 Divan Timber and boardFoams and fillingsTextilesPackagingTransport 10080 For mattresses, the greatest variation in Back to contents page 7.1 Introduction The UK has a strong bedding manufacturing industry, 7.2 Product selection commonly manufactured in the UK, and are shown in Table 2.in Table 2. 7.3 Carbon footprint analysis Full data sets for all bedding items are in Appendix 2. For

35 the Results - Bedding 7.0Benchmarking ca
the Results - Bedding 7.0Benchmarking carbon footprints of furniture products Table 2 Item Number of products Number ofmanufacturers Single divan 2 Double divan 6 Figure 3The average total carbon footprint ofbedding items Timber and board Foams and fillings Textiles Plastic Packaging Transport 01020304050 Double mattress % Timber and board Foams and fillings Textiles Plastic Packaging Transport 01020304050 Double divan % Back to contents page Domestic Back to contents page 23 For all units, but especially the wall units, there wasused. Variation in metal content is primarily due to somefunction of price point. For example, more expensive rangesdiff

36 erent materials make-ups. For example th
erent materials make-ups. For example the inclusion ofused in kitchen manufacturing is Melamine Facedused. This is, however, only part of the story as product life is Benchmarking carbon footprints of furniture products In conclusion, the data collected indicates thatmanufacturers and designers looking to reduce theto minimise the amount of board materials and Back to contents page Benchmarking carbon footprints of furniture products Figure 2 shows further analysis of the product data andFigure 2Data variation for each category of carbon footprint input relative to the average carbon footprint for the keykitchen products. The data variation graphs

37 represent the maximum and minimum variat
represent the maximum and minimum variation in the data relative to theaverage value. The zero value on the graph represents the average carbon footprint. 100 1000mm wall unit Timber and boardPackagingTransport 100 500mm wall unit Timber and boardPackagingTransport 100 1000mm drawer line unit Timber and boardPackagingTransport 100 500mm drawer line unit Timber and boardPackagingTransport Back to contents page 6.06.3 Carbon footprint analysis The makeups of the average total carbon footprint of the four Benchmarking carbon footprints of furniture products The carbon footprints follow similar patterns, with the largestHowever this should be analysed

38 in the context that has beendescribed b
in the context that has beendescribed before regarding utility allocation of data. The results also show that:  For 500mm and 1000mm drawer line units, the third  The 1000mm drawer line unit has the highest footprintof all the units as this item as it has the highest raw  1000mm wall unit, however, its carbon footprint is not Timber and board Metal Packaging Transport 01020304050 1000mm kitchen wall unit % Timber and board Metal Packaging Transport 01020304050 500mm kitchen wall unit % Timber and board Metal Packaging Transport 01020304050 1000mm drawer line unit % Timber and board Metal Packaging Transport 01020304050 500mm drawer line unit %

39 Back to contents page Benchmarking carb
Back to contents page Benchmarking carbon footprints of furniture products 6.1 Introduction The UK has a strong kitchen manufacturing sector. In 2009there were 1,200 kitchen manufacturers in the UK, and the 6.2 Product selection for inter-changeability. This has the additional bonus ofallowing for easier comparison between products. Table 1Full data sets for all kitchen items are in Appendix 1. least one shelf.  smaller size it also only has a single door.  featuring a cutlery drawer, a door and at least oneshelf. single door. Results - Kitchens Table 1 Item Number of products Number ofmanufacturers Estimated averagecarbon footprint(kgCO 1000

40 mm kitchen wall unit 5 500mm kitchen wal
mm kitchen wall unit 5 500mm kitchen wall unit 9 1000mm drawer line unit 4 500mm drawer line unit 8 Full height base unit 4 1000mm storage unit 3 500mm storage unit 4 Worktops Appliance housing 4 Base sink unit 1 Back to contents page 19Benchmarking carbon footprints of furniture products Back to contents page 5.6.3 Materials In the majority of cases Furniture Footprinterproduct was weighed manually. The Furniture Footprinterinto the tool on a percentage content basis. For example if aFor categories where data on further processing wasavailable this was also added to the materials input. Foradded to the metal input category. 5.6.4 Packaging Packag

41 ing was given its own section in the ana
ing was given its own section in the analysis becauseweighed manually. 5.6.5 Others componentry. Items included in the others section includematerials and packaging, these items, on majority, werematerials or by weighing each product manually. 5.7 Final project methodology by the company in that year. 4.0Benchmarking carbon footprints of furniture products A total footprintcomprises of theorganisational footprintfootprint attributable toits products Back to contents page 175.5 Project tool produced using the FIRA Furniture Footprinterenvironmental experts Best Foot Forward. The FurnitureFootprinterspecifically for the furniture industry. 5.6 Da

42 ta collection To ensure that all carbon
ta collection To ensure that all carbon footprints were comparable everyconsistent. However, manufacturers collate manufacturing 5.6.1 Utilities electricity, heat, steam and cooling. Therefore the Utilitiesthe factory. This data included bought in electricity, natural gas suppliedwood burning boilers and mains water supply. 5.6.2 Transport factory. The distance components were brought in wastonne kilometres. The Furniture Footprinterkilometre for a variety of average modes of transport. Forconsistency, haulage transport was taken from a list ofaverages for that mode of transport. For example, allarticulated lorries rather than by a specific weigh

43 t category. 2.0 Benchmarking carbon foot
t category. 2.0 Benchmarking carbon footprints of furniture products Back to contents page 5.4 Project assumptions and exemptions the final project methodology. To overcome these issuesdocuments such as PAS 2050 Average per product utilityproduct. Whilst this a deviation from PAS 2050, it  Transport emissions regarding thecontribution is only from the organisation’s supplier,such as a local distributer, rather than from source,  Assumption 3:Data included in the methodologyrepresents an estimate of a cradle to gate carbonfootprint. used by the Furniture Footprintermaterials used within the UK furniture industry.  Waste was accounted for in term

44 s ofstarting materials using a wastage f
s ofstarting materials using a wastage factor. However theof the waste from its point of post-sale use to the pointof disposal or recycling were not accounted for. Thein the final product and no excess is accounted for.documents such as PAS 2050, however for ease ofBills of Materials and Parts Lists, which do not  goods, such as plant machinery, transport  All office materials (stationery) and equipment(computers, printers).  The building and maintenance of premises.  Staff commute to and from their place of work.  Immaterial emissions (individual elements contributingless than 1% of a footprint provided that thesemore towards the total foot

45 print). Benchmarking carbon footprints o
print). Benchmarking carbon footprints of furniture products Image courtesy of Best Foot Forward Back to contents page 15 generation of purchased electricity, heat,company. Scope 2 emissions physicallyFor the purpose of the projectattributed to the product based on the unit output of the factory. of the company, but occur from sourcesmaterials; transportaion of purchased fuels;and use of sold products and service.For the purpose of the projectincluding extraction/processing and production), transport-related To summarise, the full list of emissions included in the Packaging materials, both temporary environmental impact and risk. However, they have

46 beeninternationally, are now within the
beeninternationally, are now within the focus of corporatewider stakeholders. For the purposes of this report, thecomes to its global warming potential. For thisFor the purposes of this project the Benchmarking carbon footprints of furniture products Back to contents page 5.1 Introduction The furniture industry is a diverse industry sector, with largevaried quite dramatically. These approaches were taken intoconsideration when defining the final project methodology.companies within a diverse industry sector, which was cost 5.2 Project boundaries (Factory) Gate assessment or a Gate to Gate assessmentFor the purposes of this project it was decided t

47 o use aWithin the discipline of carbon f
o use aWithin the discipline of carbon footprinting there are other  owned or controlled by the company.  company. Benchmarking carbon footprints of furniture products Project methodology in boilers, furnaces, vehicles; emissions fromFor the purpose of the projectcombustion (boilers, furnaces of turbines) and owned transport(cars, vans, lorries, ships, airplanes) were collected andmanufacturing factory. These direct and indirect emissions are further categorisedunder 3 “scopes” (scope 1, scope 2 and scope 3). This6can besummarised as above.The study included full scope 1 and 2 emissions as well asscope 3 emissions that are attributable to a prod

48 uct’s cradleThe physical boundary for th
uct’s cradleThe physical boundary for the companies assessed within theproject was defined as the site where the item wasincluded in a Cradle to Gate assessment such as emissionsfrom the transport of products to the first customer’ site, allSummary of project scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions Back to contents page 13 Benchmarking carbon footprints of furniture products To develop and critique a cost effective methodology, from which UK furniture producersTo examine the viability of comparing the carbonTo identify furniture sectors and product categoriesTo provide industry carbon footprint benchmarks To provide advice to the UK furniture industry and To f

49 ulfil the aim and objectives of this pro
ulfil the aim and objectives of this project, and to give aselected. Key furniture items from Upholstery, Kitchens,Bedding, Office Furniture and Contract Furniture sectorswere examined in terms of their carbon footprint. Forexample, in the office sector, desks, chairs and pedestals Objective Objective Objective Objective Objective Participating Back to contents page importance to the UK economy. It generates in excess of. Furniture manufacturing, similarto assess and reduce its carbon impact. Currently, thosefootprinting do so independently, utilising differingWith the increasing profile of carbon footprinting, anddocuments, The Furniture Ind

50 ustry Research Associationindustry, init
ustry Research Associationindustry, initiated a project in 2010 to investigate thescheme for the UK furniture industry. The FIRA carbon footprintbenchmarking projectBenchmarking carbon footprints of furniture products When using this methodology, in conjunction with a simple,low cost, footprinting tool (FIRA’s Furniture Footprinter  calculating meaningfulcarbon footprints to inform and measure  comparing the carbon  procuring low carbon furniture products based on abenchmarking scheme. Back to contents page 11 Benchmarking carbon footprints of furniture products It should be noted that PAS 2050 only addresses theproduct (e.g. non-greenhouse gas

51 emissions, toxicity,biodiversity, and a
emissions, toxicity,biodiversity, and acidification). Therefore carbon footprintsof products that are calculated using PAS 2050 do notimpact of a product. PAS 2050 studies provide valuablefor “Carbon Footprints of Products” for the quantificationPublication of this ISO standard is expected in 2012.published by the World ResourcesInstitute (WRI) and the World Business Council forSustainable Development (WBCSD) in October 2011. ThisValue Chain (Scope 3) Standard Back to contents page Benchmarking carbon footprints of furniture products 3.2 What is a carbon footprint? For a business to reduce its carbon emissions, it first needs to …for the purposes

52 ofassessing products it iswidely accepte
ofassessing products it iswidely accepted that‘carbon footprinting is themethodology to estimateproduction of rawmaterial used in itsmanufacture to thedisposal of the finishedproduct. Two key forms of carbon footprint for businesses are: An organisational footprint. This may consist ofemissions from all the activities across anorganisation, including buildings, energy use, A footprint of a product or process. Key to the carbon footprinting process is the determination ofincluded in the calculation of the footprint. For example, somethe manufacturer to the customer, whilst others may choosemeasuring the carbon impact of an organisation. In the UK

53 ,Department for Environment, Food and Ru
,Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairsand the Carbon TrustStandards Institute (BSI), along with the Carbon Trust andDEFRA, has published the Publicly Available Specification(PAS) 2050product footprint. However as a PAS it does not have theproduct carbon footprint in accordance with PAS 2050, Back to contents page 09 In addition to such government related drivers, there areother incentives for businesses to consider when  By taking action to reduce carbon emissions,businesses can make substantial savings in theirmaterial and energy use, often resulting in3 To service this increasing demand, and to gain a market Benchmarking carbon foot

54 prints of furniture productsBy taking ac
prints of furniture productsBy taking action toreduce carbonemissions, businessescan make substantialsavings in their materialand energy use, oftenconsiderable financialsavings. Back to contents page 1990 levels. To help meet these targets, several policies have The CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme electricity. The EU Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS). This isdesigned to put a cap on the carbon emitted by certainsome other industries such as production of pulp, paperand board) and create a market and price for carbonallowances. Climate Change Levy & Agreements. efficiency. Related to this, Climate Change Agreements(CCAs) allow energy intensive organi

55 sations (e.g. paper, 3.1 Background is h
sations (e.g. paper, 3.1 Background is human activity, such as the burning of fossil fuels orcould result in an increase of 6C in average global IntroductionBenchmarking carbon footprints of furniture products Back to contents page Terms and For the purposes of this report, the following terms and Boundaries The limit of emissions associated with the manufacture of acarbon footprint. Carbon Throughout the report the term carbon shall mean CarbonDioxide Equivalent (CO2 Carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2 A unit which expresses the emissions of carbon dioxide andpotential relative to carbon dioxide. Carbon footprint An estimate the total emission of gre

56 enhouse gases (GHG)from the operation of
enhouse gases (GHG)from the operation of an organisation or the manufacture of Greenhouse gases (GHG) A collection of gases that have been attributed withincreasing climate change set out by the IPCC and including 07Benchmarking carbon footprints of furniture products a very useful tool for the furniture industry. The more the in the industry. 2.0 Back to contents page Executive summaryBenchmarking carbon footprints of furniture products individuals. To address the causes of climate change,across the industry, there is considerable potential forunilaterally, utilising different boundaries and methodologiesproduct footprint benchmarks for the furnit

57 ure industry. Incalculator – the Furnitu
ure industry. Incalculator – the Furniture Footpriner™ tool.furniture supply chain. Key to this was that the ‘cradle toin this study are not appropriate for a furniture manufacturer,for the furniture industry does, however, make an importantapproach to carbon footprinting in the industry. This lack of Back to contents page 05Benchmarking carbon footprints of furniture products 18.0References 17.0Conclusions 16.0Advice to specifiers 46 15.0Advice to manufacturers 45 14.0Feasibility of benchmarking of 41 13.0Uncertainty Breakdown of kitchen furniture carbon footprint data51Breakdown of bedding furniture carbon footprint data53Breakdown of upholstery

58 furniture carbon footprint data54Breakd
furniture carbon footprint data54Breakdown of office furniture - chairs carbon footprint data55Breakdown of office furniture - storage carbon footprint data56Breakdown of office furniture - desks carbon footprint data57Breakdown of contract furniturecarbon footprint data58 Appendix 6 3.1Background3.2What is a carbon footprint?4.0The FIRA carbon footprint5.1Introduction5.2Project boundaries5.3Units of analysis5.4Project assumptions and exemptions5.5Project tool5.6Data collection5.6.1Utilities175.6.2Transport175.6.3Materials185.6.4Packaging185.6.5Others185.7Final project methodology 1.0Executive summary 6 5.0Project methodology 4.0The FIRA carbon fo

59 otprint 3.0Introduction 2.0Terms and def
otprint 3.0Introduction 2.0Terms and definitions 7 Benchmarking carbon footprints of furniture products 6.1Introduction6.2Product selection6.3Carbon footprint analysis7.1Introduction7.2Product selection7.3Carbon footprint analysis8.1Introduction8.2Product selection8.3Carbon footprint analysis9.1Introduction9.2Product selection9.3Carbon footprint analysis10.1Introduction10.2Product selection10.3Carbon footprint analysis11.1Introduction11.2Product selection11.3Carbon footprint analysis12.1Introduction12.2Product selection12.3Carbon footprint analysis 12.0Results - Contract furniture 11.0Results - Office desks 10.0Results - Office storage 9.0Results -

60 Office chairs 8.0Results - Upholstery 7
Office chairs 8.0Results - Upholstery 7.0Results - Bedding 6.0Results - Kitchens Foreword Furniture Industry Sustainability Programme (FISP).Footprinting has a significantly raised profile over the lastdecade. Full carbon footprinting of furniture products hasfurniture industry, resulting in a simple, low cost and userfriendly carbon calculator (Furniture Footprintercomparable carbon footprints using the FurnitureFootprinterHowever, the furniture industry should embrace this reportMichael PowellChairman of the Furniture Industry Research Association Benchmarking carbon footprints of furniture products on behalf of the Furniture Industry Research A