Design Life-Cycle

Vanessa Nguyen

DES 40A

Prof. Cogdell

Raw Materials Life Cycle Paper Outline

Hawaiian Tropic Sunscreen is a popular product designed to protect skin from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays, preventing sunburn, premature aging, and skin cancer. It is known for its fragrance and broad-spectrum protection, it combines chemical UV filters with moisturizing ingredients agents to enhance user experience. The production and lifecycle of Hawaiian Tropic Sunscreen, from raw material extraction to disposal, involve energy-intensive processes that significantly impact the environment. The acquisition and formulation of ingredients consume natural resources and cause pollution, while distribution and transportation add to the carbon footprint. Usage contributes to chemical runoff, harming marine life, and disposal challenges highlight recycling issues and plastic pollution. This analysis underscores the need for more sustainable practices in the cosmetics industry. 

The environmental impact of Hawaiian Tropic Sunscreen starts with extracting its raw materials, a stage that significantly harms the environment. Extracting ingredients often involves mining and chemical synthesis, a compound that transforms under certain conditions, consumes vast natural resources, and generates pollution. Chemicals like avobenzone, derived from petroleum, contribute to the depletion of non-renewable resources. Additionally, mineral mining for certain ingredients disrupts ecosystems and contaminates soil and water. Chemical synthesis of these ingredients releases dangerous emissions and by-products into the environment. This resource-intensive process contributes to air and water pollution, posing risks to human health and wildlife. While previous studies have addressed the environmental impact of cosmetics, this analysis focuses specifically on sunscreens and their unique challenges, highlighting the need for targeted sustainability efforts in this sector. Next, we will examine Hawaiian Tropic Sunscreen's formulation and manufacturing processes, which further amplifies its environmental impact.

Hawaiian Tropic Sunscreen's formulation and manufacturing processes significantly add to its environmental impact. These stages use the synthesis and blending of various chemicals and materials, requiring substantial energy consumption and emitting pollutants. Particularly, the production of chemical UV filters, like oxybenzone and avobenzone, demands energy and releases harmful emissions into the atmosphere. Also, these processes generate waste, including chemicals by-products and defective groups, which often end up in landfills or necessitate energy-intensive disposal methods. The packaging, which is made of plastic, has these environmental concerns. Plastic production needs to be made with fossil fuels, and the results are these containers that contribute to the escalating issue of plastic pollution in the ocean when not properly recycled. As we dive into the distribution phase, it becomes clear that the transportation of finished products to various markets also adds to the carbon footprint of Hawaiian Tropic Sunscreen.

The distribution and transportation of Hawaiian Tropic Sunscreen further worsens its environmental impact. Shipping finished products to various markets requires fuel-intensive transportation methods, including trucks and vans which use the most fuel, and contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution. Whether transported by land, sea, or air, the logistics of distribution supplies remarkably to the product’s overall carbon footprint. The global distribution network of Hawaiian Tropic Sunscreen involves substantial packaging and shipping materials, adding to resource consumption and waste generation. These packaging materials include cardboard boxes, plastic wrapping, bubble wrapping, and pallets, these lead to the accumulation of waste throughout the supply chain. Additionally the use of single-use shipping materials further compounds environmental concerns, particularly in regions with inadequate recycling infrastructure. Moving on to the product’s usage and maintenance, the environmental impact of Hawaiian Tropic Sunscreen continues throughout its lifecycle. From application to disposal, consumer actions play a crucial role in shaping its ecological footprint. 

Consumers' daily application of sunscreen, particularly in settings like beaches and pools, can lead to chemical runoff when swimming or sweating. This runoff carries sunscreen ingredients into water bodies, where they accumulate and pose risks to ocean life. The chemicals in sunscreen, such as oxybenzone and avobenzone, have been linked to coral bleaching and other negative effects on marine ecosystems. Improper application or excessive use of sunscreen can result in the waste of product, as excess amounts may be washed off the skin and into the environment. This not only increases the risk of the sunscreen amount entering water bodies but also takes into account environmental pollution. The disposal of sunscreen containers presents its own set of environmental challenges. Many consumers may not correctly recycle their empty sunscreen bottles, which leads to unnecessary waste buildup in landfills. Even when disposed of properly, the plastic containers could take centuries to decompose, further burdening the environment with long-term pollution. Transitioning to the recycling phase, there is an opportunity to reduce the environmental impact of Hawaiian Tropic Sunscreen packaging and containers.

The recycling phase offers a chance to reduce the environmental impact of Hawaiian Tropic Sunscreen packaging as said before. Proper recycling of sunscreen bottles can decrease landfill waste and promote sustainability. Encouraging consumers to recycle their empty containers can conserve resources and lessen energy consumption in production. However, challenges remain in promoting widespread recycling participation and ensuring effective practices. Education efforts are essential to inform consumers about recycling's importance and proper disposal methods. Convenient recycling infrastructure, such as collecting bins at recreation centers, can boost recycling fulfillment. Shifting the focus to waste management, effective strategies are needed to address environmental struggles posed by improper disposal and plastic pollution.

Effective waste management strategies plays an important role in the last step of the lifecycle. Implementing comprehensive plans can help prevent littering and ensure the proper disposal of used containers. Initiatives like beach clean-up campaigns and community recycling events are necessary for combating plastic pollution in coastal areas. Government regulations can have an important effect in promoting responsible waste management practices. Policies that encourage recycling and discourage single-use plastics can considerably reduce the environmental impact of sunscreen packing. Collaborations between government agencies, businesses, and environmental organizations are vital for developing and enforcing effective waste management solutions. As we move towards the conclusion, it is evident that addressing the environmental impact of Hawaiian Tropic Sunscreen requires a coordinated effort across all stages of the product lifecycle. By embracing sustainable practices, promoting recycling capability, and fostering partnerships, we can work towards minimizing the ecological footprint of sunscreen production and usage.

In conclusion, the examination of Hawaiian Tropic Sunscreen’s environmental impact highlights the desperate need for sustainable practices within the sunscreen industry. Each stage of the product’s lifecycle significantly affects the environment, from sourcing raw materials to disposing of used containers. The widespread use of chemical UV filters, energy-intensive manufacturing, and inadequate recycling exacerbate pollution, resource depletion, and greenhouse gas emissions. This analysis mentions the importance of implementing eco-friendly alternatives and improving recycling initiatives. It also underlines broader implications for the cosmetics sector, emphasizing the necessity of prioritizing sustainable practices and transparency in the supply chain. Collaborative efforts among stakeholders are essential for applying regulations, fostering innovation, and promoting recycling. The study of Hawaiian Tropic Sunscreen’s environmental footprint reminds us of our strong connection with nature. By embracing sustainability and responsible management, we can ease the ecological impact of sunscreen production and contribute to a healthier environment for future generations.

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Anna Luu

Vanessa Nguyen

DES 40A 

Professor Cogdell

Hawaiian Tropic Sunscreen: Waste 

Hawaiian Tropic is a popular brand of sunscreen that was established in 1969. The brand is currently owned by Edgewell Personal Care, who manages everything related to the brand, from manufacturing to production of Hawaiian Tropic products. Hawaiian Tropic is a brand that focuses and prioritizes sustainability in their products. Hawaiian Tropic is very conscious of how the life cycle of their products impacts the environment. They strive to reduce the amount of waste produced from the prior year, and continuously work to reduce the amount of waste every year going forward. 

It is important to look at the impact the production of a product has on our environment and sustainability. The design life cycle of a product involves raw material acquisition, product manufacturing, transportation and distribution of the product, recycling and disposal of the product, and waste management. Because sunscreen is and will continue to be a commonly used product in everyday life, it is important to analyze the design lifecycle to see its effect. Hawaiian Tropic sunscreen is one of the most popular sunscreen products used in everyday households, so analyzing its design life cycle will allow us to make future efforts and improvements towards sustainability of design. 

The process of developing sunscreen begins with raw material acquisition. Hawaiian Tropic has their own ethical sourcing standard that they use to find suppliers to obtain their raw materials. The materials used to make the sunscreen, such as aloe vera and palm oil, is obtained from a variety of regions. Palm oil is obtained from rainforests where palm trees are grown. This puts a strain on rainforests, and if not careful could contribute to deforestation. Thus, Hawaiian Tropic confirmed that 72% of their palm oil was certified to be sustainably sourced by Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO).

We then move onto the next step of the design cycle, which is product manufacturing. When sunscreen is formulated, ZnO and TiO2 are the most common UV-filters used as the sun protection factor. However, TiO2 is most commonly used because it provides better UVB and UVA protection. In order for TiO2 to be distributed into the sunscreen, it must first be formulated to increase the UV absorption. In order to reduce the amount of waste from the nanoparticles from traveling into the environment and water, it must be correctly formulated at the beginning of the sunscreen formulation. In addition, Hawaiian Tropic relies on high speed mixers to emulsify their products during sunscreen formulation. These high speed, cosmetic mixers require a high amount of electricity and energy to work. As a byproduct, large amounts of carbon dioxide are produced and released into the environment.

Hawaiian Tropic has not been fully transparent and open about how they manufacture their products, so it is hard to understand the effect that their product manufacturing has on sustainability and waste. However, the brand promises that they are partnered with manufacturers, and have production processes that encourage sustainability.

After the manufacturing and production of sunscreen, it must then be transported and distributed to sellers and consumers. Hawaiian Tropic mainly uses ships, planes, trucks, and rail to transport and distribute their products. Any method of transportation used requires the burning of gasoline or diesel fuel, which releases greenhouse gases into the environment. These gases include carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, and hydrofluorocarbons. “​Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from transportation account for about 28 percent of total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, making it the largest contributor of U.S. GHG emissions.” Thus, Hawaiian Tropic is constantly looking and adapting lower-carbon ways to transport and distribute their products. They achieve this by using regional manufactures, warehouses, distribution centers, and delivery routes. Keeping their operations regional helps reduce the distance that products need to travel to be distributed. Thus, improving the amount of carbon dioxide released into the air during travel. Hawaiian Tropic participates in the United States Environmental Protection Agency SmartWay Program, which is a program that helps locate the most efficient and low emission freight carriers. When possible, Hawaiian Tropic will avoid air travel, and instead focus on other transportation methods, such as ships, planes, trucks, and rail. 

In the next step of the design cycle, Hawaiian Tropic Sunscreen has now reached the hands of consumers. How consumers use, reuse, and dispose of sunscreen has effects on the overall sustainability of the product, as well as the environment. It is important to mention that daily usage of sunscreen will affect our water systems. Sunscreen nanoparticles are indirectly washed away into the environment through showers and bath water. They also enter our large water systems when people swim in lakes, rivers, and oceans. Human usage of sunscreen results in indirect contamination of our water systems. However, it is hard for the brand to control this aspect when it comes to consumer consumption and usage. Thus, the brand must work harder in the manufacturing and formulation of the sunscreen, and use more environmentally-safe UV filters that do not greatly damage the aquatic systems. After consumers are done using the sunscreen, consumers are encouraged to recycle their sunscreen bottles by the brand. Hawaiian Tropic has replaced all their virgin materials with recyclable alternatives, which includes PCR plastic and recycled paper. Each bottle contains a How2Recycle label, which provides consumers with information on how they should dispose of the product. 

We are now at the last step of the design life cycle, which involves disposal and recycling.  The products that are not recyclable are incinerated, which creates carbon dioxide gases and other greenhouse gases that are emitted into the air.  For products that are recyclable, the sunscreen containers must be cleaned before they can be recycled. As a result, a large amount of solid waste, such as effluent is produced. This contaminates our sewage systems, and large water systems. In addition, a large amount of water is used to clean the sunscreen containers. Hawaiian Tropic is trying to conserve the water they use in the disposal process and use water more efficiently by implementing new protocols and standards for water usage. In 2020, the brand has also secured a cooling tower water treatment control upgrade that helped reduce water consumption and usage by 25% from the previous year. Additionally, Hawaiian Tropic aims to reduce waste by 10% by 2030. Hawaiian Tropic and Edgewell (the company that owns and manages Hawaiian Tropic) have their own internal waste standards that they follow. Although they are not transparent about what their internal waste management standards and procedures are. However, 45% of Edgewell manufacturing facilities achieved zero waste-to-landfill, and each year their reports show they are reducing their waste. 

Overall, we can observe that the Hawaiian Tropic sunscreen design lifecycle is somewhat sustainable. Although there could be many improvements made to the design lifecycle to reduce waste, Hawaiian Tropic is continuously making efforts and striving towards new goals to decrease the amount of waste produced. The design of sunscreen inevitably will cause waste during the process and release greenhouse gases into the environment. However, Hawaiian Tropic and consumers alike can work to be aware of the amount of waste the sunscreen produces to our environment, and work together to reduce that waste. 

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