Eco Design

Brief. Quantification of benefits and consequences of proposed changes for manufacturer. Reduction in embedded energy and explanation of effect.

In following report there will be considered outcomes for each component and a detailed discussion of the changes with consequent recommendations. There will be explored and applied appropriate changes to components of our own selection.

Quantification of benefits and consequences of proposed changes for manufacturer

The most costly and most energy consumption part of the product creating process is that of manufacture. Less time spent here will mean greater efficiencies and reduced energy input.

According to Colgate Company they make around 980 million plastic toothbrushes a year that is more than 2.6 million toothbrushes made by 130 machines a day. So that means that Colgate Company makes 20% of all toothbrushes worldwide.

The new toothbrush is made from two parts: Handle and removable head. Handle of toothbrush average weight is 16.3g, and head is 1.7g which 1.4g of it is Polypropylene so together that are 17,150 tons of Polypropylene material used a year to make all these toothbrushes.

One advantage of start making toothbrushes with removable heads that manufacturer could make twice more amount of toothbrush heads, but only half amount of handles, which is 490 million handles a year. It could reduce amount of Polypropylene material used by more than 8500 tons a year.