Beverage Container Comparison Using LCA $(60pt).$

Compare two types of bottles for containing beer or other beverages. One bottle is a $16oz$

aluminum bottle and the other is a conventional $16oz$ brown glass bottle. Assume that a

consumer drinks two beverages per week for $1$ year $(52$ weeks$).$ Each bottle type is subject to a

deposit program which results in a $95\%$ recycle$/$reuse rate. The aluminum bottles that are

returned for recycle get reprocessed into a new bottle, while when the glass bottles are returned

for reuse, the bottles are washed in soapy water, rinsed and then sterilized, and then afterwards

are prepared for a new use in being beverage containers. This LCA attempts to provide

information to the consumer to help he$/$she to make a good decision regarding beverage bottle

choice. Which bottle type, Aluminum or Brown Glass, when used in this fashion produces the

lower greenhouse gas emissions expressed in terms of $C{O}_2$ equivalents?

A life cycle diagram for each bottle is shown below, with all key processes shown.

Figure P$3.$ Life cycle diagram for aluminum and brown glass beverage bottles.

Basis: $1$ year of beverage consumption by a consumer.

Data: Weight per aluminum bottle $=0\mathrm{.}028k\frac{g}{?}$ bottle. Weight per brown glass bottle $=0\mathrm{.}184$

$k\frac{g}{?}$ bottle. Weight of water to wash $\frac{?}{?}$ rinse each glass bottle $=0\mathrm{.}25kg$ water. Weight of detergent

to wash each glass bottle $=1{10}^{-5}kg$ detergent.

Assumption: A consumer drinks two beverages per week for $1$ year $(52$ weeks$).$