Life-Cycle Assessment of a reusable real-time monitoring device for a cold supply chain and its comparison with a single-use device

Abstract

This thesis presents a cradle to grave attributional Life-Cycle Assessment of the Saga logger, a reusable real-time monitoring device developed by Controlant and used in the cold supply chain. It compares its potential environmental impacts with a standard single-use device. The thesis compares five different usage scenarios with the base model – Most common case. The research addresses three questions: 1. What are the potential environmental impacts associated with the production, use, and disposal of both reusable and single-use data loggers? 2. How do these impacts compare over a defined period or number of uses? 3. What are the potential benefits or drawbacks of transitioning from single- use to reusable loggers in the context of Controlant’s operations? The manufacturing phase of the lifecycle is the most significant contributor in all six researched impact categories (Abiotic Depletion - Fossil Fuels, Acidification, Eutrophication, Global Warming, Human Toxicity, Terrestrial Ecotoxicity), while printed circuit board and battery are responsible for the most significant part. Scenarios that assume better utilization of the device or extend its lifetime have proven the lowest potential impacts. These findings offer valuable insights for developing future generations of Saga loggers.