Determinação de resíduo de produto em frascos de shampoos e condicionadores

Abstract

Topics such as sustainability have gained prominence across various sectors, leading companies to adopt environmental actions and indicators, which have become increasingly relevant in the financial market, where investors are seeking sustainable companies. To measure these indicators, companies use tools like Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), which evaluates the environmental impact of a product from its conception to the end of its life (incineration, reuse, etc.), based on the functional unit, defined by the product’s intended function. However, to fully understand the product's impact, it is essential to determine the amount of residual waste after complete use, as this affects the number of functional units the product provides. This study aims to develop a methodology to quantify the residual waste in packaging from a Brazilian cosmetics company, contributing to the analysis of its processes and identifying potential improvements for environmental sustainability. Specific methodologies for emptying shampoos and conditioners were developed. Four types of shampoo (S1, S2, S3, and S4) and three types of conditioners (C1, C2, and C3) in different packaging were analyzed. After applying the methodology, it was possible to determine the average residual waste for each product and correlate it with viscosity. Some products did not behave as expected, where higher viscosity would result in more residual waste due to flow resistance. The results showed that the packaging design influenced the amount of residual product. Packaging 3, for both products evaluated, had the highest residual due to accumulation in the shoulder of the packaging, which has a rounded and flat shape. In contrast, Packaging 1 exhibited the least residual due to its design, which avoids product accumulation points and facilitates product flow. The packaging design's efficiency was confirmed by testing the same product in three different types of packaging. It was concluded that the objectives were achieved, allowing for the development of a methodology to evaluate the residual waste of shampoo and conditioner in different packaging.