Notes and Assumptions for Carbon Footprint Calculator
1. Carbon Footprint for the Manufacture of Natural Corks
Model Based on Estimates from:
Corticeira Amorim, PriceWaterhouseCooper, Ecobilan, “Analysis of the life cycle of Cork, Aluminium and Plastic Wine Closures -October 2008”
PWCE-LCA-Cork-Report.pdf
Carbon Footprint for Cork = 1.533 g/cork
Other Estimates: Forgues, C., Carbon Appraisal of the Different Methods Used for Closing Still Wines, Australian & New Zealand Grapegrower & Winemaker, September 2007 (No. 524) Carbon Footprint for Cork = 8 tons/million pieces (7.3 g/cork)
Cairn Carbon Appraisal.pdf
Walker,L., Cork and Sustainability, Wines & Vines, August 2007, p. 64 Carbon Footprint for Cork = 3.27 tons/million pieces (2.96 g/cork)
Model does not include capsule or transportation to specific markets.
2. Carbon Footprint for the Manufacture of Aluminum Screwcaps
Model Based on Estimates from:
Corticeira Amorim, PriceWaterhouseCooper, Ecobilan, “Analysis of the life cycle of Cork, Aluminium and Plastic Wine Closures - October 2008”
PWCE-LCA-Cork-Report.pdf
Carbon Footprint for Screwcaps = 37.17 g/cap
Cairn Carbon Appraisal.pdf
Walker,L., Cork and Sustainability, Wines & Vines, August 2007, p. 64 Carbon Footprint for Screwcaps = 14.37 tons/million pieces (12.95 g/cap)
Model does not include liners or transportation to specific markets.
3. Carbon Footprint for the Manufacture of Synthetic Stoppers
Model Based on Estimates from:
Corticeira Amorim, PriceWaterhouseCooper, Ecobilan, “Analysis of the life cycle of Cork, Aluminium and Plastic Wine Closures - October 2008”
PWCE-LCA-Cork-Report.pdf
Carbon Footprint for Synthetics = 14.83 g/stopper
Other Estimates: No other printed estimates were found but this estimate was corroborated by representatives of the leading manufacturer of Synthetic stoppers.
Model does not include capsule or transportation to specific markets.
4. Carbon Offset from Contribution of the Cork Forest
Corticeira Amorim, PriceWaterhouseCooper, Ecobilan, “Analysis of the life cycle of Cork, Aluminium and Plastic Wine Closures - October 2008”
PWCE-LCA-Cork-Report.pdf
Carbon Offset for Cork = -113.2 g/cork
Estimate is based on a study carried out in Portugal by the Portuguese School of Agronomy (ISA), intended to measure the annual liquid sequestration of carbon, including the analysis of a southern cork oak forest, which presented an ELP of 179 g C/m2 in 2006.
5. Carbon Footprint Conversion to Mileage
Model Based on Estimates from:
US Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Transportation and Air Quality, "Emission Facts: Greenhouse Gas Emissions for Typical Passenger Vehicles" as cited at earthlab.com. The Carbon footprint for the average US automobile (21mpg) is determine at a rate of 2,146.8 miles per ton of CO2 based on the given estimate of 19.564 lbs.CO2 per gallon of gasoline.
6. Carbon Footprint Conversion to Solar Panels
Model Based on Estimate from:
- (A) Average Solar Panel Output - Center for Sustainable Energy San Diego based group estimates that annual kWh as a ratio of 1: 1.7 system watts to annual kWh. The most popular single solar panel size is 250 watts x 1.7 = 425kWh per year.
- (B) CO2 Emmissions per kWh - PG&E 2014 estimates of 412 lbs CO2 per mWh. Equal to 0.187kg per kWh. Average Panel offsets 79.5 kg/year
- (C) Using 907.185 kg/ton, One ton of CO2 is offset by the use of 11.4 standard 250 watt solar panels per year.