Design Life-Cycle

Amy Lee

Group Members: Daisy Williams, Amy Lee, Trinh Nguyen

Cogdell

DES 40A Winter 2023

16 March 2023

Analysis of Sun Bum’s Raw Materials

As the environmental impact of sunscreen gains more attention, this research aims to investigate the creation and composition of Sun Bum, a widely-used sunscreen brand. The study will also evaluate the eco-friendliness of the brand, focusing specifically on the use of alternative active ingredients like zinc oxide. By analyzing Sun Bum's raw materials and their impact on the environment, this research can provide insights into ways to reduce the harm caused by sunscreen to marine ecosystems while still providing effective UV protection. Ultimately, this study can contribute to promoting sustainable practices in the production and use of sunscreen that benefit both human health and the environment.

This research uses online sources including academic journals to examine the environmental impact and life cycle of the raw materials of Sun Bum. It addresses the production and packaging of Sun Bum and their impact on marine life. We will also address the eco-friendly chemicals used in it and how to maintain their effectiveness in protecting our skin from UV rays. 

According to the Sun Bum product website on the “Sun Bum Mineral SPF 30 Sunscreen Lotion,” the active ingredient zinc oxide takes up 14.7% of it. Other inactive ingredients include: “water, cocos nucifera (coconut) oil, butyloctyl salicylate, diheptyl succinate, capryloyl glycerin/sebacic acid copolymer, methyl dihydroabietate, butyrospermum parkii (shea butter),” and the list goes on. Although the inactive ingredients in sunscreen are important as well, the focus will be on zinc oxide since it is the main chemical of the sunscreen that protects our skin from UV rays and is one of the few chemicals eco-friendly enough to be approved for sunscreen. The zinc oxide is made of zinc ore, which is mined from underground mines. It is in thin veins through rocks, and in the veins, “the ore occurs as either thin layers encrusting on the walls of the vein, or as thin bands, pockets or crystals within the vein,” (British Geological Survey). 

Sun Bum does not have the materials for its containers listed on its website like many other cosmetic product websites do not. However, High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) is most likely used since it is the most common material for making flexible plastic for lotion bottles and other squeeze bottles (McCallister). HDPE is a “thermoplastic polymer made from petroleum,” (ACME PLASTICS) a fossil fuel that is also known as crude oil extracted from oil wells. It is made of ethylene (C2H4), which is gas. Because HDPE is a thermoplastic, it can be molded into any shape or form that the manufacturer wants and used often for any product that has plastic. The label on the bottle is likely made from polypropylene (PP), which is also a versatile polymer that is commonly used in packaging and many other things in industry. It is made from propylene gas. 

Now, the extraction of zinc oxide from the ore is needed. Zinc oxide can be made from many chemical processes, which include the “vapor deposition, precipitation in water solution, hydrothermal synthesis, the sol-gel process, precipitation from microemulsions and mechanochemical processes,” (Kołodziejczak and Jesionowski). However, many of the chemical methods that work in laboratories cannot be used on a large-scale and cannot be economically effective or used to create products that are high in demand like sunscreen. Although not specified, the mechanochemical process is likely used to make the Sun Bum sunscreen as it is a cheap and easy way to make zinc oxide on a large scale and with low production costs. It requires “high-energy dry milling, which initiates a reaction through ball–powder impacts in a ball mill, at low temperature,” (Kołodziejczak and Jesionowski).  The starting materials are ZnCl2 and Na2CO3 and NaCl is added which “serves as a reaction medium and separates the nanoparticles,” (Kołodziejczak and Jesionowski). Then, “the zinc oxide precursor formed, ZnCO3, is calcined at a temperature of 400–800 °C,” (Kołodziejczak and Jesionowski). 

Ethylene, a gas, is polymerized by humans into polyethylene. One of the common ways that factories get ethylene gas is by “isolating a substance called ethane from natural gas” which then “serves as the raw material for a process called steam cracking, where steam and extreme heat are applied to the ethane to rearrange intramolecular bonds in the ethane and create ethylene,” (Tangent). Then, the manufacturers can have ethylene to polymerize and obtain chains of polyethylene from, “which combines in a high-density arrangement with the addition of a chemical called a Ziegler-Natta catalyst,” (Tangent). Similarly, polypropylene “is made from the polymerization of propylene gas in the presence of a catalyst system, usually Ziegler-Natta or metallocene catalyst,” (Valco).

For the distribution and transportation of the final products, the sunscreen is placed in boxes with a quantity of 12. The boxes for transporting goods are usually made of “paper from recycled boxes or the pulp of trees,” (Industrial Quick Search). The boxes are made into pellets and secured into a skid, a platform used for transporting goods, using shrink wrapping, a plastic film that shrinks when heated and used for wrapping and protecting products during transportation. UPS and USPS transport the sunscreen to retail locations or directly to consumers. The skids are then ready to be transported to distributors (Ford). According to Trinh’s research focusing on the energy of Sun Bum, they use airplanes, trucks, and freights powered mostly by conventional fuel, such as gasoline or diesel, and some renewable fuel. In 2020, UPS used 137,555 GJs for their airline fuel and 75,556 GJs for their ground vehicle fuel. 

In regards to the use of sunscreen, when someone applies it on their skin and goes out in the sun, the UV rays are combined with sunscreen. According to Badger Balm, the zinc oxide sits on top of your skin and scatters, absorbs, and reflects the ultraviolet radiation which ultimately protects your skin underneath (Badger Balm). When recycling sunscreen bottles, they are cleaned and processed to remove any impurities or contaminants, and then re-ground to be used again in the molding process to make new containers. An interesting fact is that the bottles that have gone through the printing process with flawed labels or other defects cannot be recycled in the same way. So, they are sold to other companies which use them to make other products such as patio furniture. This is another form of recycling, as the plastic material is being reused instead of being discarded as waste (Ford). When not properly recycled, it will end up in landfills. Luckily, HDPE plastic can be easily recycled, “helping keep non-biodegradable waste out of landfills, while helping reduce plastic production by up to 50 percent,” (ACME PLASTICS). HDPE and PP are recycled by pyrolysis (Achilias). It involves “the degradation of the polymeric materials by heating in the absence of oxygen (usually in a nitrogen atmosphere),” (Achilias) so heat is needed to break the bio-polymers. No material is necessary for the maintenance of the product, but it should be stored in a cool dry place away from sunlight and otherwise it may lose its effectiveness. Unfortunately, HDPE and PP are non-biodegradable, so when the bottle reaches the dump, it “leaches toxic chemicals into the soil, poisoning the groundwater, marine ecosystems, and human food chains,” (Terre Mere Cosmetics). The lotion is usually washed away in bodies of water, however, it is mostly safe for the ocean.

In conclusion, this research has analyzed the raw materials used in Sun Bum sunscreen and their impact on the environment. It examined the raw material required in production and packaging of the product in great depth. The use of zinc oxide as an active ingredient in Sun Bum sunscreen has been highlighted as one of the few eco-friendly chemicals approved for sunscreen, and its creation from zinc ore has been explored. The study has also looked at the materials used for the sunscreen containers, transportation boxes, and the transportation process. The findings of this research can contribute to promoting sustainable practices in the production and use of sunscreen, which can benefit both human health and the environment.

Bibliography

“Mineral SPF 30 Sunscreen Lotion.” Sun Bum, https://www.sunbum.com/products/mineral-spf-30-sunscreen-lotion. 

British Geological Survey. “Minerals and Mines.” Zinc Ore and Mines | Minerals and Mines | Foundations of the Mendips, https://www2.bgs.ac.uk/mendips/minerals/Mins_Mines_5.htm#:~:text=The%20primary%20zinc%20ore%2C%20sphalerite,or%20crystals%20within%20the%20vein. 

McCallister, Ben McCallister. “Plastic 103: Chemical Makeups of the Big Six.” Container and Packaging, 2020, https://www.containerandpackaging.com/resources/plastic-101-chemical-makeups-big-six. 

ACME PLASTICS. “What Is HDPE?” ACME Plastics, Inc., https://www.acmeplastics.com/what-is-hdpe#:~:text=High%20Density%20Poly%20Ethylene%20(HDPE,%2C%20cutting%20boards%2C%20and%20piping. 

Kołodziejczak-Radzimska, Agnieszka, and Teofil Jesionowski. “Zinc Oxide-from Synthesis to Application: A Review.” Materials (Basel, Switzerland), U.S. National Library of Medicine, 9 Apr. 2014, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5453364/#:~:text=In%20the%20indirect%20(French)%20process,at%20a%20bag%20filter%20station. 

Tangent. “Understanding How HDPE Is Made - Tangent Case Study.” Tangent, 12 Oct. 2022, https://tangentmaterials.com/understanding-how-hdpe-is-made/. 

Valco. “PP – Polypropylene – Manufacturing Process of PP (Polypropylene) :: Valco Groupe.” VALCO GROUP, 17 Sept. 2021, https://www.valcogroup-valves.com/faq-2/pp-polypropylene-manufacturing-process-of-pp-polypropylene/#:~:text=Polypropylene%20is%20made%20from%20the,polymer%20grade%20to%20be%20produced. 

Industrial Quick Search. “Industrial Quick Search.” Types, Materials, Construction, Benefits, Industrial Quick Search, https://www.iqsdirectory.com/articles/corrugated-boxes/cardboard-boxes.html#:~:text=The%20standard%20cardboard%20box%20is,papers%20created%20from%20tree%20pulp. 

Ford, David N. “Sunscreen.” How Products Are Made, http://www.madehow.com/Volume-2/Sunscreen.html. 

Balm, Badger. “Zinc Oxide Sunscreens, Nanoparticles and Clear Zinc: Badger Balm.” BADGER, https://www.badgerbalm.com/pages/zinc-oxide-nanoparticles-clear-zinc-sunscreens#:~:text=Zinc%20oxide%20is%20one%20of,protecting%20your%20living%20skin%20below. 

Achilias, D.S., and C. Roupakias. “Chemical Recycling of Plastic Wastes Made from Polyethylene (LDPE and HDPE) and Polypropylene (PP).” Journal of Hazardous Materials, Elsevier, 29 June 2007, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0304389407009478#:~:text=Recycling%20of%20LDPE%2C%20HDPE%20and,usually%20in%20a%20nitrogen%20atmosphere). 

Terre Mere Cosmetics. “Here's What Happens to Your Glass and Plastic Cosmetics Bottles.” Terre Mere Cosmetics, https://terremerecosmetics.com/blogs/news/what-happens-to-your-glass-and-plastic#:~:text=About%2079%20percent%20of%20it,ecosystems%2C%20and%20human%20food%20chains. 

Daisy Williams

Trinh Nguyen, Amy Lee

DES 40A

Professor Cogdell

The Life Cycle of Sun Bum Mineral SPF 30 Sunscreen Lotion: Embodied Energy

Ultraviolet light (UVL) from the sun can cause damage to our skin, ranging from sunburn to skin cancer. First created in 1938 by Franz Greiter, sunscreen is a product that can protect our skin from harmful sun rays by physically reflecting them or chemically mitigating their impact. As public awareness about UVL has increased, so has the sunscreen market. Now numerous cosmetic companies produce a wide range of sunscreen products that differ in form, use, sun protection factor rating, and ingredients.

Perceived quality affects consumer preference, but recently the environmental sustainability of a product has begun to impact sales. Within the sunscreen industry, there has been a rising concern about sunscreen’s adverse effects on coral reefs and its use of plastic packaging. To address these worries, companies have modified their products to be reef safe and recyclable. An informative benchmark of a reef-safe brand is Sun Bum. In addition to complying with the Hawaii Act 104 Reef Complaint, Sun Bum products are hypoallergenic, cruelty-free, vegan, sulfate-free, and paraben free. For all the environmental pros of Sun Bum’s products, one has to consider the energy that goes into them. Do the energy costs outweigh the environmental pros?

Outside of possible environmental damage caused by raw material acquisition and direct pollution, the product’s embodied energy plays a huge role in its sustainability or lack of. The machinery used throughout the life cycle of Sun Bum’s Mineral SPF 30 Lotion to extract, process, heat, package, and transport, is the primary conduit of energy. The use of fossil fuels to power the machinery contributes to the overall atmospheric pollution of Sun Bum’s sunscreen. However, initiatives implemented by SC Johnson, Sun Bum’s parent company, to use renewable energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions could lessen their impact.

Contrary to common belief, the utilization of energy and machinery exists outside of the manufacturing stage of a product; the processing of natural ingredients and the synthesis of chemical compounds is also mechanically heavy. Sun Bum’s Mineral SPF 30 Sunscreen Lotion consists of one active ingredient, zinc oxide, and 25 inactive ingredients, ranging from natural substances like cocos nucifera (coconut) oil to chemical substances such as butyloctyl salicylate.

Zinc oxide is an inorganic compound commonly used in mineral or chemical sunscreens for its UVA and UVB reflecting properties. Cosmetic companies use zinc oxide nanoparticles to minimize the white cast from sunscreens and to improve the texture of the product. Sun Bum likely buys its nanoparticle zinc oxide as an emulsification or a powder from a chemical manufacturer. Manufacturers usually synthesize zinc oxide via metallurgical processing, mechanochemical processing, or controlled precipitation. The metallurgical process can be achieved directly or indirectly. The direct process “involves the reduction of zinc ore by heating with coal”, and the indirect process involves the melting and vaporizing of metallic zinc inside a furnace.[ 1 ] Both variations require an energy source to produce heat, presumably coal or another fossil fuel. The mechanochemical process involves “high-energy dry milling”, which is the process of separating particles via chemical reactions, and calcination “at a temperature of 400-800 ℃”.[ 2 ] This process requires a ball mill run by electricity and a furnace or calciner powered by electricity or gas. The final method, controlled precipitation, “involves fast and spontaneous reduction of a solution of zinc salt using a reducing agent”, and additional drying, calcination, heating, or milling depending on the variation.[ 3 ] Like the previous methods, controlled precipitation likely needs furnaces, mills, and calciners run by coal, electricity, or gas. By utilizing electricity or burning coal, each synthesis method emits CO2 into the atmosphere and contributes to global warming.

Of the 25 inactive ingredients, coconut oil, shea butter, and cocoa seed butter have similar production processes. All three are first harvested from a plant source: coconuts, cocoa seeds, or shea nuts, respectively. Then their oil and fats are extracted and processed through various methods of chemical and mechanical refining. Refining usually includes “de-pulping, boiling, drying, deshelling, winnowing, ...sorting”, roasting, pressing, and filtering.[ 4 ] These steps use fossil fuels for heating, running machinery, and transporting raw materials. Some of the machinery used includes “[a] kneading machine, grinders, a hydraulic hand press, solar dryers, a heater, … [a] mixer”, “[a] wedge press, [a] screw press” and a boiler”; the kind of power and machinery used depends on the product and production method.[ 5 ]

After purchasing the raw materials from manufacturers and vendors, the ingredients are shipped to a factory where the final product is made.  These various energy expenditures and processes compound on one another when Sun Bum purchases the necessary ingredients for their mineral sunscreen and begins to create the product. 

The majority of the manufacturing process is carried out by machines. While the specific brands and types of equipment are unknown to the general public, based on other cosmetic companies, it can be inferred that Sun Bum uses industrial mixers, filling equipment, and capping machines.[ 6 ] The precise amount of electricity these machines need is difficult to calculate without company records, but estimates can be made for the mixer. Silverson’s High Shear In-Line Mixer comes in various sizes, 275 LS being the smallest and 800 LS being the biggest. The 275 LS mixer has 2 HP, meaning it needs about 1491.4 watts to run smoothly.[ 7 ] The 800 LS mixer has 125 HP and needs about 93212.5 watts. In comparison, IKA’s smallest Standard Production mixer, SPP 25, needs about 1000 watts, and its largest, SPP 4000, needs about 45000 watts.[ 8 ] 

Machinery used at the manufacturing stage are all electrically powered; however, how much power they use depends on their size, motor, and duration of use. Since Sun Bum only operates within the USA, a chart published by the U.S. Energy Information Administration can be used to conclude that “[about] 60% of this electricity generation [is] from fossil fuels–coal, natural gas, petroleum, and other gases”.[ 9 ] So Sun Bum’s manufacturing site indirectly emits greenhouse gasses because it uses electricity produced by burning fossil fuels. 

After workers package the final product into cardboard boxes or plastic pallets, it is shipped to retail locations for sale. Sun Bum’s primary transporters are UPS and USPS. The two companies use a mix of air and ground transportation. Both modes of transportation are largely fueled by fossil fuels and partially by renewable energy. UPS uses vehicles such as airplanes, air freights, ocean freights, and ground transportation package cars, such as trucks.[ 10 ] From their 2020 GRI Content Index, the company states that their airline fuel is comprised of 137,555 gigajoules, or GJs, of conventional fuel and 16 GJs of renewable fuel and that their ground vehicle fuel is comprised of 41,633 GJs of diesel, 21,996 GJs of gasoline, 4,497 GJs of CNG, 1,040 GJs of propane/LPG, and 4,377 GJs of renewable fuel (biomass).[ 11 ] From their 2022 Annual Sustainability Report, USPS states that “[nearly] 34,000 of [their] over 232,000 vehicles can be powered with alternative fuel”.[ 12 ] So while both companies have made steps towards using renewable energy and alternative fuels, their operations are still heavily dependent on fossil fuels. 

After being transported and sold to consumers across America, the sunscreen is used for about three years or until the expiry date indicates disposal. When finished using the product, it is up to the consumer to clean the tube of any residual lotion and then toss it into the recycling bin. If the consumer properly disposes of the plastic sunscreen tube, a garbage truck will collect it and transport it to a recycling facility. US garbage trucks are most commonly “[powered] by diesel fuel” and “average just 3 miles per gallon”.[ 13 ] At the facility, the tube is made into a new product. The recycling process starts with sorting the amalgamation of different plastics. The sorting process is essential because the facility can’t produce a usable material from a heterogeneous pile of plastic. Workers and machines such as the FT-NIR detector, sort the plastic by polymer type and color.[ 14 ] Then the plastic is shredded, washed, melted, and pelletized. [ 15 ] Pelletization can be done by a “ZLSLG300B plastic pellet making machine”, which needs 22 kW of energy.[ 16 ] Electric machines, operated or assisted by human labor, are needed at every stage. Sun Bum tubes are likely made from thermoplastics like PET, PE, and PP, which “all have high potential to be mechanically recycled”.[ 17 ] PP plastic can be recycled into products such as flower pots and buckets. PET packaging can be recycled into fibers and textiles. Although these secondary plastic products will eventually end up in landfills, the energy used to recycle the sunscreen tube is a beneficial investment because it slows the production of new plastic and the rate at which used plastics pollute the environment. In addition, recycling plastic “saves 5,774 Kwh of energy, 16.3 barrels of oil, 98 million BTU’s of energy, and 30 cubic yards of landfill space”.[ 18 ] However, if the consumer improperly disposes of the plastic tube, it will go straight to a landfill. At landfills, trucks empty garbage into cells, “an open area of the constructed landfill”.[ 19 ] Then the pile is flattened by compactors before being covered by soil or an equivalent material. Most landfills employ “• landfill compactors • track-type tractors • track-type loaders • hauling units (articulated trucks or on-highway trucks) • hydraulic excavators • wheel loaders,” which are all commonly powered by gasoline and emit CO2.[ 20 ] 

Electricity and fossil fuels power equipment throughout the life cycle of Sun Bum's SPF 30 Mineral Sunscreen. So while Sun Bum tries its best to uphold a standard of sustainability and environmental consciousness, their products indirectly cause a decent amount of air pollution via their extensive use of machinery. However, this is quite common for businesses operating within highly consumptive societies. To keep up with consumer demand, both in quality and quantity, the power and accuracy of machines are necessary. Being a national company means Sun Bum cannot discontinue their use of machinery, but they can change their power source. 

Sun Bum’s air pollution can be reduced by transitioning to greener sources of energy, a solution highly plausible after they were bought by SC Johnson in 2019. SC Johnson is most commonly known for their cleaning products, but they have garnered recognition for their sustainability guidelines and programs; the company proudly advertises its commitment “to operating in an environmentally responsible manner”.[ 21 ] One of SC Johnson’s green initiatives is to expand their renewable energy infrastructure and apply it to their manufacturing sites. Started in 2001, SC Johnson has worked to increase their global renewable energy usage by using wind turbines, “waste methane gas”, biofuels, and solar panels. [ 22 ] In 2021, they reported that globally, 35% of their energy came from renewable sources. As a result, SC Johnson was also able to lower their GHG emissions “by 68% since 2000”.[ 23 ] Sun Bum is a relatively small company, but if they can utilize the renewable energy infrastructure established by SC Johnson, they can lower the air pollution produced by their Mineral SPF 30 Sunscreen Lotion.

Various machines are used throughout the lifecycle of Sun Bum’s Mineral SPF 30 Sunscreen Lotion. In the raw material acquisition phase, machinery is used to either process or make ingredients. Then several industrial machines combine the ingredients and fill the tubes; production of the final product relies heavily on machines. The recycling stage relies on specialized equipment to sort and process plastic waste. Most machines are powered by electricity produced by burning fossil fuels. The vehicles used to transport raw materials, final products, and waste are powered by gas or renewable energy. Surprisingly, it takes a lot of energy and fuel to produce and sell a 3-ounce tube of sunscreen. Energy expenditure outside of the manufacturing stage is out of Sun Bum’s control; however, if the company follows SC Johnson’s green energy initiatives, they can reduce their air pollution and improve their sustainability.

Footnotes

[ 1 ] Kolodziejczak-Radzimska, Agenieszka, and Teofil Jesionowski, Zinc Oxide–From Synthesis to Application: A Review

[ 2 ] Ibid

[ 3 ] Ibid

[ 4 ] Dilip Rajbonshi, “Shea Nut Processing - Kumar Metal Industries Shea Nut Processing.”

[ 5 ] Ibid

[ 6 ] Science Channel, How It’s Made: Skin Cream.

[ 7 ] Silverson, “High Shear In-Line Mixers”

[ 8 ] IKA, Standard Production Plant SPP

[ 9 ] EIA, “Frequently Asked Questions (Faqs) - U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).”

[ 10 ] UPS, “What We Buy.”

[ 11 ] UPS, “2020 GRI Content Index.”

[ 12 ] United States Postal Service Environmental Affairs and Corporate Sustainability, 2022 Annual Sustainability Report

[ 13 ] Michael J. Coren, “The Economics of Electric Garbage Trucks Are Awesome.”

[ 14 ] VDI Zentrum Ressourceneffizienz, Resource Efficiency with an Optimized Sorting Method.”

[ 15 ] Recycle Now, “How Is Plastic Recycled?: Recycle Now: Where and How to Recycle.”

[ 16 ] Gemco Energy, “How To Make Recycled Plastic Pellets.”

[ 17 ] Jefferson Hopewell, Plastics Recycling: Challenges and Opportunities

[ 18 ] Stanford University, “Frequently Asked Questions: Benefits of Recycling.”

[ 19 ] Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy. How Landfills Work

[ 20 ] Richard A. Bliss, “A Compact Guide to Landfill Operation: Machinery, Management…”

[ 21 ] SC Johnson, SC Johnson 2017 Sustainability Report: The Science Inside

[ 22 ] SC Johnson, “Renewable Energy Powers SC Johnson with the Use of Wind, Solar, Food Waste, and Trash.”

[ 23 ] SC Johnson, “8 Ways SC Johnson Is Supporting a More Sustainable World for Your Family.”

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Sun Bum's Retail Site

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Trinh Nguyen

Group Members: Daisy Williams, Amy Lee, Trinh Nguyen

DES 40A Winter 2023

Professor Cogdell

March 16, 2023

Waste and Emissions: Life Cycle Assessment of Sun Bum Mineral SPF 30 Sunscreen Lotion

Among all the cosmetics products being used, sunscreen has had a great impact on our environment, specifically on coral reef creatures. The chemicals present in sunscreen, such as oxybenzone and octinoxate, have been found to be toxic to coral reefs, leading to bleaching and the death of the coral (Kramer, 2020). Furthermore, the way it gets recycled after finishing using the product might also be a potential concern as the use of plastics is also increasing. Since the invention of sunscreen, a growing concern about the harmful effects of exposure to ultraviolet solar radiation has led to a surprisingly high demand for sunscreen purchasing since it is promoted as an important means of preventing skin cancers, as well as sunburn and skin photoaging (Sander, Sander, Burbidge, & Beecker, 2020). However, it is important to note that sunscreen should be used responsibly and in moderation, as excessive use can lead to further damage to the environment. Additionally, it is important to use biodegradable sunscreen products, as these are less likely to cause harm to the environment. 

The chemical ingredients that sunscreen contains have become a major threat to coral reefs, leading many sunscreen manufacturers to research and develop more eco-friendly products. Sun Bum has been a remarkable brand for one of the companies that produce reef-safe sunscreen. The focus of this assessment will be on the sunscreen lotion manufactured by Sun Bum, which can be made in a variety of ways and from diverse sources. Upon making the product, it is expected that the consumer will use up the ingredients inside the container, and the plastic bottle will be recycled to reuse. Despite the company's efforts to produce an environmentally friendly product, their production processes were often questioned. As a result, it is necessary to study the waste and emissions associated with Sun Bum sunscreen lotion to determine its environmental impacts, such as during the making process, transportation, and the product afterlife.

Looking at all the other sunscreen manufacturers, it is rare to find any product that does not attribute harm to aquatic life. Therefore, in order to protect the sea environment, which might also contribute to our consumption of resources, it is important to choose a sunscreen brand that produces the least amount of emissions but also protects our resources for longer use. Sun Bum may not be the best option, but it is one of the companies that do not use harmful ingredients. By choosing Sun Bum, we can help reduce the environmental impact of sunscreen and protect our coral reefs. 

Many sunscreen brands contain oxybenzone, a UV-filtering compound that is deadly to baby reefs and damaging to adult reefs, where more than a quarter of marine fish live (tinywaste.com). According to the Sun Bum product website, their Mineral SPF 30 Sunscreen Lotion formula is a reference to Hawaii Act 104 which barred the use of Oxybenzone and Octinoxate. These are the two chemical ingredients that contain harmful substances to the ecosystem. In contrast, the product being introduced in this assessment is a mineral sunscreen lotion SPF of 30, a Zinc-based mineral formula. Sun Bum, in particular, is one of those companies that produces non-toxic and biodegradable sunscreens that contain 14.7% zinc oxide. If there is Zinc oxide in the ingredients list on the product label, it is referring to sunscreens that do not have ingredients that could harm marine life. 

Nonetheless, during the process of making zinc oxide, it is not entirely considered coral reefs safe. Hence, the making process of zinc oxide eventually generates sodium oxide, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide, which means that the sunscreen process is linked to climate change and global warming (US EPA, 2022). Furthermore, zinc oxide nanopowders can be obtained through mechanochemical processes, which involve the synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles using high-energy dry milling. Nanomaterials are capable of contaminating soil and migrating into surface and ground waters. As a result of wind and rainwater runoff, solid wastes, effluents, direct discharges, and accidental spillages can carry particles to aquatic systems (Ray, P. C., Yu, H., & Fu, P. P. 2009). To reduce the environmental impact of sunscreen production, companies should focus on using sustainable and eco-friendly production methods. This includes using renewable energy sources, reducing water consumption, and using biodegradable materials. Additionally, companies should ensure that their products are properly disposed of and recycled to reduce the amount of waste that ends up in the environment. By taking these steps, companies can help protect the environment and ensure that their products are safe for marine life.

In making Sun Bum mineral sunscreen lotion, it requires energy such as natural gas or petroleum to produce the ingredients that are later mixed together to form the sunscreen lotion. The product manufacturing also produces CO2 from roasting zinc concentrates to form sunscreen formulas. Then, when composing all the ingredients together, the usage of electricity, natural gas, coal, or oil was necessary. Thus, direct emissions occur when fuel is burned to generate electricity or heat, chemical reactions occur, and industrial equipment leaks. The US EPA estimates that fossil fuels are responsible for the majority of direct emissions. 

Similar to the composition of ingredients, the energy required to manufacture the sunscreen plastic bottle and the screw cap is also a concern to Sun Bum because of its negative effect on climate change (Turrentine). Most plastic in use today comes from hydrocarbons derived from crude oil, natural gas, and coal which turn into fossil fuels (Dr. Baheti). Fossil fuels are responsible for greenhouse gasses that cause global warming. When that plastic is breaking down, it forms microplastic. Microplastics are tiny particles of plastic that litter soil, waterways, and even the atmosphere. These microplastics are a major environmental concern as they are not biodegradable and can be ingested by marine life, leading to health issues. Sun Bum is aware of the environmental impact of its product and is taking steps to reduce its carbon footprint. They are actively looking for ways to reduce their energy consumption and use more sustainable materials in their packaging. 

The transportation and distribution (trucks and planes) of raw materials and finished products for Sun Bum sunscreen lotion can contribute to air pollution and impact human health. Additionally, the disposal of the packaging material can have a long-lasting effect on the environment, potentially contaminating soil and water for up to 500 years.

It is important for consumers to properly dispose of unused or expired sunscreen lotion to minimize its impact on the environment. Sun Bum sunscreen lotion typically expires within  6 months to a year after opening (Sun Bum FAQ), but it can still be used if not washed off or thrown away. This involves making informed purchasing decisions, properly disposing of products, and exploring sustainable packaging options. 

There is a significant amount of research on how Sun Bum's plastic packaging was made or how they reuse recycled plastic in the packaging of their products. Sun Bum has claimed that their bottles and caps are recyclable and recommended that consumers check with their local recycling guidelines and the product label to see if they can recycle that number in the area, as it varies from state to state (Sun Bum FAQ). Sun Bum has partnered with the HDPE and PP packaging company to create an eco-friendly packaging product. The symbol can be found on any of Sun Bum’s sunscreen lotion labels to indicate proper recycling. This packaging company is known for being one of the most environmentally stable of all plastics, as it gives off no harmful fumes into the environment. Sun Bum is committed to reducing its environmental impact and is continuously looking for ways to reduce its plastic usage and increase its use of recycled materials. They are also working to increase the number of recycling centers that accept their products, making it easier for consumers to recycle their Sun Bum products.

Sun Bum mineral sunscreen lotion has great potential of creating a sunscreen application that is coral-reef safe, and are striving to create a sustainable product. They are working with a packaging supplier that is very well known for being environmentally friendly. Aside from that, their product formulas also had the least harm to coral reefs, which contain 14.7% of zinc oxide. However, due to the circumstances, during the process of making their ingredients, as well as their distribution stage had been involved in generating such an alerting concern to our environment. Sun Bum is taking steps to reduce its environmental impact by using recyclable biodegradable packing materials, as well as using sustainable resources for its ingredients. Additionally, they are working to reduce their carbon footprint by using renewable energy sources and reducing their water consumption. Although it is true that Sun Bum has the potential to become a sustainable product, they are still working to reduce its environmental impact and make its product as sustainable as possible.  

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