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The Importance of Considering Product Loss Rates in Life Cycle Assessment: The Example of Closure Systems for Bottled Wine

Author

Listed:
  • Anna Kounina

    (Quantis, Parc Scientifique EPFL, Bâtiment D, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
    Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland)

  • Elisa Tatti

    (Quantis, Parc Scientifique EPFL, Bâtiment D, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland)

  • Sebastien Humbert

    (Quantis, Parc Scientifique EPFL, Bâtiment D, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland)

  • Richard Pfister

    (Praxis Energia, rue Verte, 1261 Le Vaud, Switzerland)

  • Amanda Pike

    (Division of Analytical Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Uppsala University, Uppsala 75189, Sweden
    Quantis, 283 Franklin St. Floor 2, Boston, MA 02110, USA)

  • Jean-François Ménard

    (Quantis, 395 rue Laurier Ouest, Montréal, Québec, H2V 2K3, Canada)

  • Yves Loerincik

    (Quantis, Parc Scientifique EPFL, Bâtiment D, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland)

  • Olivier Jolliet

    (Quantis, Parc Scientifique EPFL, Bâtiment D, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland)

Abstract

Purpose: The objective of this study is to discuss the implications of product loss rates in terms of the environmental performance of bottled wine. Wine loss refers to loss occurring when the consumer does not consume the wine contained in the bottle and disposes of it because of taste alteration, which is caused by inadequate product protection rendering the wine unpalatable to a knowledgeable consumer. The decision of whether or not to drink the wine in such cases is guided by subjective consumer taste perception and wine quality expectation (drinking the bottle or disposing of the wine down the drain and replacing it with a new bottle). This study aims to illustrate the importance of accurately defining system boundaries related to wine packaging systems. Methods: The environmental impacts resulting from wine loss rates as related to two types of wine bottle closures—natural cork stoppers and screw caps—have been estimated based on literature review data and compared to the impact of the respective closure system. The system studied relates to the functional unit “a 750 mL bottle of drinkable wine” and includes bottled wine, bottle and closure production, wine production, wine loss and wine poured down the drain. Results: The range of wine alteration rates due to corked wine is estimated to be 2–5% based on interviews with wine experts. Consumer behavior was assessed through a sensitivity study on replacement rates. When the increase in loss rate with the cork stopper is higher than 1.2% (corresponding to 3.5% corked wine multiplied by a consumer replacement rate of 35%), the influence of losses on the impact results is higher than that of the closure material itself. The different closures and associated wine losses represent less than 5% of the total life cycle impact of bottled wine.

Suggested Citation

  • Anna Kounina & Elisa Tatti & Sebastien Humbert & Richard Pfister & Amanda Pike & Jean-François Ménard & Yves Loerincik & Olivier Jolliet, 2012. "The Importance of Considering Product Loss Rates in Life Cycle Assessment: The Example of Closure Systems for Bottled Wine," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 4(10), pages 1-34, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:4:y:2012:i:10:p:2673-2706:d:20746
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Alfonso Aranda & Ignacio Zabalza & Sabina Scarpellini, 2005. "Economic and environmental analysis of the wine bottle production in Spain by means of life cycle assessment," International Journal of Agricultural Resources, Governance and Ecology, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 4(2), pages 178-191.
    2. Colman, Tyler & Paster, Pablo, 2007. "Red, white and 'green': the cost of carbon in the global wine trade," Working Papers 37318, American Association of Wine Economists.
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    Cited by:

    1. Carmen Ferrara & Giovanni De Feo, 2018. "Life Cycle Assessment Application to the Wine Sector: A Critical Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(2), pages 1-16, February.
    2. Juan Miguel Barrigón Morillas & David Montes González & Rosendo Vílchez-Gómez & Valentín Gómez Escobar & Rubén Maderuelo-Sanz & Guillermo Rey Gozalo & Pedro Atanasio Moraga, 2021. "Virgin Natural Cork Characterization as a Sustainable Material for Use in Acoustic Solutions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-14, April.
    3. Marc Dressler & Ivan Paunovic, 2021. "A Typology of Winery SME Brand Strategies with Implications for Sustainability Communication and Co-Creation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-17, January.

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