Evaluation of the substitution of polyethylene for polylactic acid in sanitary pads through life cycle assessment
Millions of people worldwide rely on disposable sanitary pads, but the high concentration of fossil-based polymers in their composition has negative effects on the environment. This includes the impact of extracting raw materials and the disposal of used products. While sustainable alternatives to t...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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IOP Publishing
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Sustainability Science and Technology |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1088/2977-3504/adbdd2 |
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| author | Beatriz Aparecida Muniz Pereira Nathalia Oliveira Martins Sandra Cristina Dantas Alice Medeiros de Lima |
| author_facet | Beatriz Aparecida Muniz Pereira Nathalia Oliveira Martins Sandra Cristina Dantas Alice Medeiros de Lima |
| author_sort | Beatriz Aparecida Muniz Pereira |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Millions of people worldwide rely on disposable sanitary pads, but the high concentration of fossil-based polymers in their composition has negative effects on the environment. This includes the impact of extracting raw materials and the disposal of used products. While sustainable alternatives to traditional pads exist, they are not widely adopted due to their low level of commoditization. This makes them less attractive to companies who prioritize elevated levels of consumption. One promising alternative is the use of biopolymer-based disposable absorbents, particularly polylactic acid (PLA), that can be derived from corn starch and is biodegradable. This study used the life cycle assessment and found that using sanitary pads made with polyethylene for 1 year generates impacts about seventeen times higher compared to using absorbents made with PLA. However, PLA production contributes to higher land use and agricultural emissions. Despite these challenges, PLA remains a promising alternative due to its renewable sourcing and lower environmental footprint in key impact categories. The findings align with UN Sustainable Development Goals 3 (Good Health and Well-being), 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and 13 (Climate Action), promoting sustainable hygiene products while mitigating environmental impacts. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-229cc07f10f840e59be9b130607d4f4d |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2977-3504 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | IOP Publishing |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Sustainability Science and Technology |
| spelling | doaj-art-229cc07f10f840e59be9b130607d4f4d2025-08-20T03:06:57ZengIOP PublishingSustainability Science and Technology2977-35042025-01-012202400210.1088/2977-3504/adbdd2Evaluation of the substitution of polyethylene for polylactic acid in sanitary pads through life cycle assessmentBeatriz Aparecida Muniz Pereira0Nathalia Oliveira Martins1Sandra Cristina Dantas2https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4775-040XAlice Medeiros de Lima3https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5643-1780Department of Chemical Engineering, Federal University of São Carlos , Rod. Washington Luiz, s/n, São Carlos, São Paulo, BrazilDepartment of Chemical Engineering, Federal University of São Carlos , Rod. Washington Luiz, s/n, São Carlos, São Paulo, BrazilDepartment of Chemical Engineering, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro , Av. Dr Randolfo Borges Júnior, n° 1400, Uberaba, Minas Gerais, BrazilDepartment of Chemical Engineering, Federal University of São Carlos , Rod. Washington Luiz, s/n, São Carlos, São Paulo, BrazilMillions of people worldwide rely on disposable sanitary pads, but the high concentration of fossil-based polymers in their composition has negative effects on the environment. This includes the impact of extracting raw materials and the disposal of used products. While sustainable alternatives to traditional pads exist, they are not widely adopted due to their low level of commoditization. This makes them less attractive to companies who prioritize elevated levels of consumption. One promising alternative is the use of biopolymer-based disposable absorbents, particularly polylactic acid (PLA), that can be derived from corn starch and is biodegradable. This study used the life cycle assessment and found that using sanitary pads made with polyethylene for 1 year generates impacts about seventeen times higher compared to using absorbents made with PLA. However, PLA production contributes to higher land use and agricultural emissions. Despite these challenges, PLA remains a promising alternative due to its renewable sourcing and lower environmental footprint in key impact categories. The findings align with UN Sustainable Development Goals 3 (Good Health and Well-being), 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and 13 (Climate Action), promoting sustainable hygiene products while mitigating environmental impacts.https://doi.org/10.1088/2977-3504/adbdd2menstrual hygiene productsfossil resource depletionbio-based materialsrenewable resourcessustainability |
| spellingShingle | Beatriz Aparecida Muniz Pereira Nathalia Oliveira Martins Sandra Cristina Dantas Alice Medeiros de Lima Evaluation of the substitution of polyethylene for polylactic acid in sanitary pads through life cycle assessment Sustainability Science and Technology menstrual hygiene products fossil resource depletion bio-based materials renewable resources sustainability |
| title | Evaluation of the substitution of polyethylene for polylactic acid in sanitary pads through life cycle assessment |
| title_full | Evaluation of the substitution of polyethylene for polylactic acid in sanitary pads through life cycle assessment |
| title_fullStr | Evaluation of the substitution of polyethylene for polylactic acid in sanitary pads through life cycle assessment |
| title_full_unstemmed | Evaluation of the substitution of polyethylene for polylactic acid in sanitary pads through life cycle assessment |
| title_short | Evaluation of the substitution of polyethylene for polylactic acid in sanitary pads through life cycle assessment |
| title_sort | evaluation of the substitution of polyethylene for polylactic acid in sanitary pads through life cycle assessment |
| topic | menstrual hygiene products fossil resource depletion bio-based materials renewable resources sustainability |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1088/2977-3504/adbdd2 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT beatrizaparecidamunizpereira evaluationofthesubstitutionofpolyethyleneforpolylacticacidinsanitarypadsthroughlifecycleassessment AT nathaliaoliveiramartins evaluationofthesubstitutionofpolyethyleneforpolylacticacidinsanitarypadsthroughlifecycleassessment AT sandracristinadantas evaluationofthesubstitutionofpolyethyleneforpolylacticacidinsanitarypadsthroughlifecycleassessment AT alicemedeirosdelima evaluationofthesubstitutionofpolyethyleneforpolylacticacidinsanitarypadsthroughlifecycleassessment |