IMS SEMESTER PROJECT REPORT

Submitted By:
Muhammad Hamza Sharif
2020-ME-104
Section: C
Submitted To:
Dr. Amjad Hussain

Department of Mechanical Engineering

University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore
2020-ME-104 IMS SEMESTER PROJECT REPORT Muhammad Hamza Sharif

Contents
1 Life Cycle Assessment .................................................................................................................... 1
2 ISO 14040 ....................................................................................................................................... 1
3 ReCiPe Model ................................................................................................................................. 1
4 Selection of the product .................................................................................................................. 2
5 LCA (life cycle assessment) for the selected product ..................................................................... 2
6 LCA Technique ............................................................................................................................... 2
7 Detailed Inventory Sheet ................................................................................................................. 2
7.1 Residues from the Wood ......................................................................................................... 3
7.2 Energy Consumption............................................................................................................... 3
7.3 Metallic Equipment ................................................................................................................. 3
7.4 Glass and Fabric ...................................................................................................................... 3
7.5 Different Parts of Conventional Wood Finishing .................................................................... 3
8 Environmental Impact Analysis ...................................................................................................... 4
8.1 Depletion of Abiotic Resources .............................................................................................. 4
8.2 Acidification ........................................................................................................................... 5
8.3 Eutrophication ......................................................................................................................... 5
8.4 Possible Repercussions of Global Warming ........................................................................... 5
8.5 Reduction of the ozone layer .................................................................................................. 5
8.6 Human Toxicity and aquatic Ecotoxicity ................................................................................ 5
8.7 Terrestrial Ecotoxicity ............................................................................................................. 6
8.8 Oxidation by Photochemical Means ....................................................................................... 6
8.9 Carbon Content ....................................................................................................................... 6
9 Best Global Practices ...................................................................................................................... 7
9.1 Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi) Guidelines ............................................................... 7
9.2 Guidelines from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) ............................ 7
9.3 Practicing the circular economy .............................................................................................. 7
9.4 Purchasing Renewable Energy................................................................................................ 7
9.5 Sustainability of the Supply Chain.......................................................................................... 7
9.6 Conservation of Biodiversity .................................................................................................. 7
9.7 Water Conservation ................................................................................................................. 8
9.8 Designing Products with Sustainability in Mind .................................................................... 8
10 Strategies to reduce these environmental impacts ...................................................................... 8
10.1 Setting up Pollution Control Devices...................................................................................... 8
10.2 Renewable Energy Source Adoption ...................................................................................... 8
10.3 Replace Fossil Fuels with Sustainable Substitutes.................................................................. 8
2020-ME-104 IMS SEMESTER PROJECT REPORT Muhammad Hamza Sharif

10.4 Using Non-Traditional Materials for Couch Set Cushions ..................................................... 8

10.5 Encouraging the procurement of sustainable materials .......................................................... 8
10.6 Putting Waste Reduction Strategies into Practice ................................................................... 8
10.7 Spending on R&D (research and development)...................................................................... 9
10.8 Public Education and Awareness ............................................................................................ 9
References ............................................................................................................................................... 9
2020-ME-104 IMS SEMESTER PROJECT REPORT Muhammad Hamza Sharif

Assessing Environmental Sustainability: A Life Cycle

Assessment of Wooden Furniture
1 Life Cycle Assessment
The systematic examination of a product or service's possible environmental effects over the course of
its whole life cycle is known as a life cycle assessment, or LCA.

Fig. 1 LCA Life cycle assessment approach

In this report analysis of the product is done using the LCA techniques. Details of the product are given
in detail and its impact on the environment and the solutions are suggested to overcome the negative
environmental impacts on society.

2 ISO 14040
One standard in the ISO 14000 series that deals primarily with environmental management is ISO
14040. Life Cycle Assessment criteria and principles are provided by ISO 14040. (LCA). A life cycle
assessment is an organized method for analyzing the possible effects and environmental elements of a
process, product, or service over the course of its full life, from the extraction of raw materials to
disposal.

3 ReCiPe Model
Relevance, Completeness, and Parsimony, or ReCiPe, is a life cycle impact assessment technique used
to assess how processes or products affect the environment. It considers a wide range of effect
categories, such as eutrophication, acidification, and climate change, with the goal of ensuring both
solid scientific underpinnings and relevance to pressing issues. The model aims for both parsimony,
which preserves application simplicity, and completeness, which covers a broad range of possible
environmental impacts. The ReCiPe model provides insights into places with significant environmental
effects by quantifying environmental impacts throughout all life cycle stages using characterization
parameters. The ReCiPe model is widely used in conjunction with life cycle assessments to support
informed decision-making. It allows stakeholders to evaluate and enhance the sustainability of various
systems or situations.

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2020-ME-104 IMS SEMESTER PROJECT REPORT Muhammad Hamza Sharif

4 Selection of the product

In the current study, the cradle-to-gate life cycle assessment approach was used to evaluate a functional
unit of one traditional wooden furniture set. In 2018–19, a life cycle evaluation was carried out for a
traditional wooden furniture set made in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province's Mardan area in Pakistan
[1]. Primary data regarding inputs and outputs were obtained from 100 manufacturers of traditional
wooden furniture sets, 50 of which were in the districts of Mardan and Swabi, using questionnaire
surveys.
According to industry experts, wood is the most advantageous material. Its many advantages include
being a renewable resource, a regenerative fuel, aesthetically pleasing, lightweight, highly insulating,
and capable of acting as a carbon sink to combat climate change. The wood-based industries include
those that produce wood panels, cork, pulp, paper, and paperboards, as well as wooden furniture, sports,
and the paperboard converting and printing sectors. One of the oldest sectors, the wooden furniture
sector creates a variety of sturdy goods for eating, working, sleeping, storing, and supporting people.

5 LCA (life cycle assessment) for the selected product

Goal and scope definition, life cycle inventory, cycle impact assessment, and life cycle results
interpretation are the four steps of the process.
Pakistan's total land area is approximately 4.8 percent forest cover, or 4.2 million hectares. Because the
local community depends on forest resources for things like building houses, ecotourism, making
wooden furniture, fuelwood, and extracting medicinal herbs, the forest cover is also rapidly declining
due to the rapid growth in population. Approximately 2.35-million-meter cube of round wood were
removed for industrial usage between 1996 and 2000.

6 LCA Technique
There are different methods that are widely used to evaluate the product, for the selected product,
SimaPro v8.5 was utilized to evaluate the data.
Guidelines from the Consortium for Research on Renewable Industrial Materials (CORRIM) state that
biomass stores 52.4% of carbon. As a result, in the current investigation, the carbon contents of woody
biomass were determined using the CORRIM guidelines [2, 3]. Like this, a product’s, or process's total
greenhouse gas emissions, whether direct or indirect, are measured in mass units called carbon dioxide
equivalents (CO2e). Using SimaPro v8.5, the carbon footprint of a wooden furniture set was
determined. By deducting the carbon footprint from the carbon stock for a single conventional wooden
furniture set produced in 2018–19, the net carbon flux for the set was computed.

Life Cycle Inventory of Wooden Furniture

7 Detailed Inventory Sheet
In this section discussion is based on the inventory utilized to produce different furniture and later the
impact will also be analyzed.
A traditional marriage wood furniture set, consisting of a sofa set, cabinet, showcase, double bed,
dressing table, and general table, was taken into consideration in the current LCA study. A total of 2984
kg of round logs and wood panels were used in the unit wood-based furniture set, with the dressing
table consuming the least amount of wood and panels (620 kg) and the general table the most (371 kg).

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7.1 Residues from the Wood

The manufacture of a unit of wood-based furniture set generated 315 kg of sawdust and wood waste,
with the production of sofa sets producing the most sawdust and wood trash (72 kg), and the
production of general tables producing the least amount (60 kg). The wood residues that are left over
after cutting the logs to the right size are used as fuelwood in homes and factories. The sawdust that is
left over is further combined with urea formaldehyde (UF) resin and used to fill in any gaps or cracks
in wood-framed doors, windows, and furniture.
7.2 Energy Consumption
A total of 65.3 kWh of purchased electricity was used to create the study area's unit wood-based
furniture set. A sofa set used a lot of electricity (19 kWh), while producing a double bed used less (11.3
kWh). The primary source of electricity used to operate the machinery in the study area's wood-based
furniture sector was acquired from the national grid station. The amount of urea formaldehyde (UF)
resin used was about 3.62 kg. Approximately 162 liters of gasoline were used to manufacture one
wood-based unit. Each component required roughly 27 liters of gasoline.
The energy crisis in Pakistan is at its worst. WAPDA implements load shedding for three to six hours
during the day to address the power or energy crisis. Therefore, the manufacturers used electric
generators to generate electricity during load shedding so that the shop's machinery could run. Petrol
was used to run these generators.
7.3 Metallic Equipment
Approximately 6.4 kg of nails, handles, magnets, and clips were utilized in the manufacturing of the
wood-based furniture set in the current study. In the unit furniture set, two planks were held in place
with nails. A lock weighing around 1.7 kg was used on the doors and drawers of the cabinets, display,
and dressing table.
7.4 Glass and Fabric
About (40.2 kg) of glass was used in the current study's manufacturing of dressing tables and showcases.
Only about 20 kg of fabric were used in the creation of one sofa set. the amount of polyethylene foam
(15 kg) used in the construction of a single sofa set. The sofa set was made to be pleasant by using
polyethylene foam.
7.5 Different Parts of Conventional Wood Finishing
A unit of 21.7 L spirit was utilized in the production of furniture sets made of wood. Spirit was used in
the construction of the sofa set (2.3 L), the cabinet, showcase, double bed, and dressing table (production
4 L), and the general table (3 L). Sprit was applied to the sofa set to clean it and keep termites and other
insects away. In the construction of a 12-kg wood-based furniture set, shellac was used as a wood
preservative. Per item, about 4 kg of shellac were used. When shellac was cooked in water, it solidified
into a hard liquid that was then used on a sofa set. The sofa set looks lovely because of how shiny the
liquid shellac is.
The amount of cloth utilized in this investigation was about 7.8 kg. Each piece of the unit furniture set
used about 1.3 kilograms of cloth. The furniture pieces were painted or varnished using this cloth as a
brush. About 7.8 kg of sandpaper was used in one piece of furniture made of wood. It was used to
smooth the plank surfaces of every piece of furniture, including the dressing table for a double bed, the
sofa set, the cabinet, and the display. Approximately 5.7 kg of lime were utilized in each piece of wood-
base furniture in the current investigation. This was applied to every piece of furniture to seal any gaps.

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2020-ME-104 IMS SEMESTER PROJECT REPORT Muhammad Hamza Sharif

Impact Analysis
8 Environmental Impact Analysis
This table displays the environmental implications that the Mardan division's unit wooden furniture set
production during 2018–19 caused. The study considered ten distinct categories of environmental
effect. The aquatic marine ecotoxicity posed the greatest environmental risk[4, 5].
8.1 Depletion of Abiotic Resources
The term describes how human activity is causing non-living resources, such minerals and fossil fuels,
to become less available. This influences industrial processes and ecosystems that depend on these
limited resources.
The type of environmental stressors in life cycle assessment that receives the most consideration is
abiotic. In the research region, the projected amount of abiotic depletion for a unit of wood-based
furniture set production over the 2018–19 year was 12.9 kg Sb eq. The manufacturing of the sofa set,
and general table (4 kg Sb eq) resulted in the highest abiotic depletion, whereas the dressing table (1.2
4 kg Sb eq) caused the lowest.

Table 1 Detail of Inventory and its Impact during the manufacturing process
Impact Sofa Double Dressing General
Unit Cupboard Showcase Total
classifications set bed table table
Depletion of
kg Sb eq 4 1.2 1.3 1.2 1.2 4 12.9
Abiotic
kg
Acidification 3 0.6 0.78 0.6 0.7 3 8.68
SO2 eq
Eutrophicatio kg
1.13 0.2 0.18 0.2 0.2 1 2.91
n PO4 eq
Potential
effects of kg
540 64 84 63 79 539 1369
global CO2 eq
warming
Reduction of
kg CFC- 0.0000
the ozone 0.002 0.00003 0.00003 0.00003 0.0018 0.00392
11 eq 3
layer
Toxicology of kg 1,4-
313 104 96 104 99 315 1031
humans DB eq
Aquatic
kg 1,4-
ecotoxicity in 767 36 34 36 35 767 1675
DB eq
freshwater
Aquatic
kg 1,4- 34001 100480
marine 82731 79692 79694 81830 340847
DB eq 0 4
ecotoxicity
Terrestrial kg 1,4-
57 0.6 0.49 0.53 0.55 57 116.17
eco-toxicity DB eq
Oxidation by kg
photochemical C2H4 e 0.13 0.03 0.04 0.03 0.04 0.13 0.4
means q

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8.2 Acidification
Emissions of Sulphur and nitrogen compounds are the main causes of acidification, which is the
increase in acidity levels in the air, soil, or water bodies. It can cause harm to vegetation, aquatic
habitats, and the destruction of infrastructure and structures.
The expected acidification for the Mardan Division's unit of wood-based furniture set manufacturing
was (8.68 kg SO2 eq). The manufacturing of a sofa set, and a general table had a high acidification (3
kg SO2 eq), whereas that of a double bed was low (0.6 kg SO2 eq).

8.3 Eutrophication
The excessive enrichment of nutrients, usually from agricultural runoff, that causes an overabundance
of algae to bloom in aquatic bodies is known as eutrophication. This process can cause "dead zones" to
emerge, damage aquatic life, and lower oxygen levels.
In the research area, the unit of eutrophication for wood-based furniture set manufacture was 2.91 kg
PO4 eq. The manufacture of sofa sets had the highest eutrophication value (1.13 kg PO4eq) in the
current investigation, while showcase production had the lowest (0.18 kg PO4 eq).
8.4 Possible Repercussions of Global Warming
The phrase "global warming" describes the gradual rise in Earth's average temperature brought on by
the buildup of greenhouse gases. Rising sea levels, harsh weather, and changes to ecosystems and
biodiversity are some of its possible repercussions.
The projected global warming potential for a unit of wood-based furniture set manufacture in the
Mardan division was 1,369 kg CO2-eq. Production of sofa sets had a high global warming value (530
kg CO2-eq), whereas production of double beds had a low value (63 kg CO2-eq).
8.5 Reduction of the ozone layer
Ozone layer thinning in the stratosphere is known as "reduction of the ozone layer," and it is mostly
brought on by man-made chemicals like chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). The Earth's surface is exposed to
increased levels of hazardous ultraviolet (UV) radiation as a result of this depletion, endangering
ecosystems and human health.
According to the current study, the production of sofa sets had the greatest value for ozone layer
depletion (0.002 kg CFC-11 eq), followed by general tables (0.0018 kg CFC-11 eq), cupboards,
showcases, double beds, and dressing tables (0.00003 kg CFC-11 eq). The textile used in the production
of sofa sets in the research region was the source of the highest emission.
8.6 Human Toxicity and aquatic Ecotoxicity
The study of how pollution and other toxins in the environment negatively impact human health is
known as toxicology in humans. It evaluates the effects of being around things like industrial chemicals,
insecticides, and heavy metals. The assessment of contaminants' detrimental effects on aquatic animals,
such as fish and invertebrates, in freshwater ecosystems is known as aquatic ecotoxicity in freshwater.
It considers how pollutants affect the harmony and well-being of aquatic ecosystems.
The manufacturing of the general table (315 kg 1,4-DB eq) had the highest level of human toxicity,
while the showcase had the lowest level (96 kg 1,4-DB eq). Currently, 1,675 kg of 1,4-DB equivalent
of freshwater aquatic ecotoxicity was examined for a single unit of wood-based furniture in the
research area. The sofa set and general table manufacture has a high freshwater aquatic eco-toxicity
rating (767 kg 1,4-DB eq) and a low display value (34 kg 1,4-DB eq).
The general table production had the highest value for marine aquatic ecotoxicity (3,40,847 kg Sb eq)
in the current investigation, while the showcase had the lowest value (79,692 kg Sb eq). The main cause

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of these increased effects in fresh and marine water bodies is the airborne emission of volatile organic
compounds (VOCs) and hydrocarbons, which eventually find their way into water through the
hydrological cycle.
8.7 Terrestrial Ecotoxicity
This method assesses the detrimental impacts of chemicals on ecosystems that are found on land, such
as plants, animals, and soil-dwelling creatures. It considers the possible disturbance of ecosystem
services and terrestrial biodiversity.
The figure for terrestrial eco-toxicity was lowest in the display and highest in the sofa set and general
table manufacture (57 kg 1,4-DB eq) (0.49 kg 1,4-DB eq).
8.8 Oxidation by Photochemical Means
This term describes the chemical processes that take place when sunlight is present and result in the
production of pollutants like ground-level ozone and other oxidants. Human respiratory problems and
air pollution are caused by these reactions.
The Mardan Division's use of photochemical oxidation in the manufacturing of unit wood-based
furniture sets was (0.4 kg C2H4 eq). The production of a sofa set, and general table (0.13 kg C2H4 eq)
and a low double bed (0.03 kg C2H4 eq) had the highest values of photochemical oxidation in the
current study.
8.9 Carbon Content
The total greenhouse gas emissions, either directly or indirectly, resulting from a product, process,
organization, or individual, is known as the carbon footprint. This emission is typically measured in
tone or kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2e). carbon content present in different furniture
equipment is given in detail in below table.

Table 2 Detail of carbon footprint from manufacturing of wooden furniture

Items used in wood used (kg) Carbon Footprint (kgCo2e)

furniture
Sofa set 522 540
Cupboard 410 64
Showcase 421 84
Double bed 640 63
Dressing table 371 79
General table 620 539
Total 2984 1369

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Global Practices and Targets

9 Best Global Practices
There are different practices must follow to achieve reduction in environmental impacts like GHG
Emissions.
9.1 Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi) Guidelines
A partnership between the Worldwide Fund for Nature, World Resources Institute (WRI), United
Nations Global Compact, and CDP (previously the Carbon Disclosure Project) is the Science-Based
Targets effort (WWF). To reduce global warming, SBTi offers a framework for businesses to set
emission reduction objectives that are consistent with climate science. Among the SBTi guidelines are:
• Establishing long-term, aggressive emission reduction goals with the intention of keeping
global warming far below 2 degrees Celsius.
• Ensuring that the goals align with both the international effort to reduce climate change and
current climate research.
• To increase accountability and credibility, the targets must be independently evaluated and
approved.
9.2 Guidelines from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
An independent scientific panel under the United Nations that evaluates scientific understanding of
climate change is called the IPCC. Although the IPCC doesn't directly offer recommendations to
specific businesses, its reports are frequently used to guide decisions and activities across a range of
sectors. For the most recent scientific understanding of climate change, which can aid in the
development of policies to lessen environmental effect, companies might consult IPCC reports.
• The IPCC reports offer information on a range of mitigation strategies, such as the use of
renewable energy, increased energy efficiency, and sustainable land use techniques.
• Elements of climate change adaptation that may be crucial for businesses operating in areas
where dangers associated with climate change are present.
9.3 Practicing the circular economy
By encouraging the reuse, recycling, and regeneration of goods and resources, a circular economy
reduces waste. Using the concepts of the circular economy can assist minimize the use of resources, the
production of waste, and the impact on the environment.
9.4 Purchasing Renewable Energy
Using energy to run manufacturing processes from renewable sources like sun, wind, and hydropower.
Using renewable energy helps mitigate climate change by lowering the carbon footprint of operations.
9.5 Sustainability of the Supply Chain
Verifying that suppliers follow social, environmental, and ethical guidelines is defined. Using
sustainable procurement techniques at every stage of the supply chain promotes resilience and general
environmental responsibility.
9.6 Conservation of Biodiversity
Preserving and safeguarding biodiversity in ecosystems where commercial activities have an impact.
Ensuring the long-term sustainability of resources and maintaining ecosystem services are two benefits
of putting conservation strategies into practice.

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9.7 Water Conservation

Responsibly managing water resources by taking quantity and quality into account. In line with the
IPCC's recommendations for climate-resilient practices, sustainable water management is facilitated by
efficient water usage and pollution prevention.
9.8 Designing Products with Sustainability in Mind
Applying eco-friendly and sustainable design concepts to the creation of new products. Designing goods
with longevity and recyclable materials in mind.

Implementing Sustainable Practices: Strategic Solutions to

Mitigate and Minimize Environmental Impacts
10 Strategies to reduce these environmental impacts
To lower the overall ecological footprint and properly handle the environmental impact of the furniture
manufacturing process in Mardan division, Pakistan, the following proposals are put forth:
10.1 Setting up Pollution Control Devices
It is essential to install pollution control equipment and systems in furniture production facilities. To
reduce air and water pollution in the research region, this measure attempts to collect and treat pollutants
released during the industrial process.
10.2 Renewable Energy Source Adoption
Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions related to the manufacturing process can be greatly decreased by
switching from fossil fuels like gasoline to renewable energy sources like solar power. This action leads
to a cleaner and greener energy profile and is in line with sustainability goals.
10.3 Replace Fossil Fuels with Sustainable Substitutes
Promoting the use of sustainable fossil fuel substitutes, including bioenergy or cleaner gasoline
alternatives, helps to further reduce carbon emissions and their negative effects on the environment.
This change facilitates a manufacturing method that is more environmentally friendly and sustainable.
10.4 Using Non-Traditional Materials for Couch Set Cushions
Encouragement to use non-textile (cloth) materials for sofa set cushions contributes to diversification
and may lessen the environmental effect of using traditional materials. Cushions with less of an impact
on the environment may result from investigating creative, environmentally friendly substitutes.
10.5 Encouraging the procurement of sustainable materials
Encourage the use of wood and other raw materials from sustainably managed forests in the production
of furniture. This promotes the preservation of natural ecosystems by preventing deforestation and
ensuring ethical forestry operations.
10.6 Putting Waste Reduction Strategies into Practice
Implement waste reduction strategies, like material recycling and reuse in the manufacturing process.
Reducing trash output encourages a circular economy and lessens the total load on the environment.

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10.7 Spending on R&D (research and development)

Provide funds for research and development to find and use innovative techniques and technology that
improve the furniture industry's environmental performance. Innovation-driven continuous
improvement can result in more environmentally friendly industrial techniques.
10.8 Public Education and Awareness
Inform the local community, employees, and industry stakeholders about the effects that furniture
manufacturing has on the environment. Programs for outreach and education can promote the adoption
of sustainable practices and cultivate a culture of environmental responsibility.

References
1. Ali, F., et al., Environmental sustainability assessment of wooden furniture produced in
Pakistan. Brazilian Journal of Biology, 2022. 84: p. e253107.
2. Ali, J. and T.A. Benjaminsen, Fuelwood, Timber and Deforestation in the Himalayas.
Mountain Research and Development, 2004. 24(4): p. 312-318, 7.
3. Chou, Y.K. and T.L. Chen, Environmental Impact Assessment on Lifecycle of Sofa Material.
Advanced Materials Research, 2011. 287-290: p. 3032-3035.
4. Shuyi, W., S. Daizhong, and Z. Shifan. A Comparative Study on Life Cycle Assessment of
Typical Wood base Furniture. in Proceedings of the 2016 5th International Conference on
Sustainable Energy and Environment Engineering (ICSEEE 2016). 2016. Atlantis Press.
5. Iritani, D.R., et al., Sustainable strategies analysis through Life Cycle Assessment: a case
study in a furniture industry. Journal of Cleaner Production, 2015. 96: p. 308-318.