Publication: Life cycle assessment of electronic bracelets for probation services in Türkiye
Abstract
Sürdürülebilirlik, dünya kaynaklarının sınırlılığı ve küresel ısınma tehdidinin giderek daha belirgin hale gelmesiyle önem kazanmıştır. Al, yap, at anlayışına dayanan lineer ekonomik model yerini, kaynakların yeniden kullanımını ve atık minimizasyonunu teşvik eden döngüsel ekonomi anlayışına bırakmaktadır. Bu yeni yaklaşıma ek olarak, Sınırda Karbon Düzenlemesi, karbon yoğun ürünlerin ithalatında sera gazı emisyonlarını dikkate alan bir vergilendirme sistemi getirmektedir. Bu sistem, döngüsel ekonomi çerçevesinde daha yeşil ve sürdürülebilir üretim ve tüketim modellerini teşvik etmeyi amaçlamakta ve küresel ısınma ile mücadelede önemli bir araç olarak görülmektedir. Giyilebilir teknolojiler, hayatımızın birçok alanında yer almakta ve bu teknolojilerin alışılmışın dışında bir kullanımı olarak, denetimli serbestlikte güvenlik amaçlı kullanılan elektronik kelepçeler öne çıkmaktadır. Bu çalışmada, elektronik kelepçelerin, üretimden kapıya kadar olan sürecin çevresel etkilerinin kapsamlı bir Yaşam Döngüsü Analizi (YDA) ile değerlendirilmesi yapılmıştır. Amaç, bu özel elektronik ürünün üretim sürecinde ortaya çıkan çevresel etkileri incelemek ve bulgular ışığında sürdürülebilir alternatif senaryolar sunmaktır. Envanter verileri doğrudan üretici firmadan temin edilmiştir. Toplanan veriler SimaPro yazılımı kullanılarak ISO14040 YDA çerçevesinde analiz edilmiştir. Çalışma sonucunda, enerji ve hammadde alternatiflerini içeren çeşitli sürdürülebilir üretim senaryoları önerilmiştir. Bu senaryolar, üreticinin döngüsel ekonomiye ve karbon politikalarına nasıl uyum sağlayabileceği konusunda somut öneriler sunmaktadır. Elektronik kelepçeler üzerine yapılan bu çalışmanın, literatürde benzer bir örneği olmadığı için, bu ve benzeri ürünlerin çevresel etkilerinin değerlendirilmesinde önemli bir referans noktası olacağı beklenmektedir.
Sustainability has become increasingly crucial due to the recognition that the world's resources are finite, alongside the escalating threat of global warming. The traditional linear economic model, which relies on a take, make, dispose approach, is gradually being replaced by the circular economy model that encourages the reuse of resources and waste minimization. In addition to this new approach, a Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism introduces a taxation system that considers greenhouse gas emissions from the import of carbon-intensive products. This system aims to promote greener and more sustainable production and consumption patterns within the circular economy framework and is seen as an important tool in combating global warming. Wearable technologies are becoming prevalent in many areas of our lives, and as an unconventional use of these technologies, electronic monitoring bracelets used for security purposes in probation. This study undertakes a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) on electronic bracelets, analyzing their environmental impacts from cradle to gate. The aim is to examine the environmental impacts that occur during the production process of this special devices and to present sustainable alternative scenarios in the light of the findings. Inventory data was collected directly from the manufacturer, and analyzed using the SimaPro software, following the ISO 14040 guidelines for LCA. As a result of the study, several sustainable production scenarios that include alternatives for energy and raw materials have been proposed, providing recommendations for manufacturer to align with circular economy and carbon policies. According to the literature, since there is no similar study on the life cycle assessment of electronic bracelets, this study expected to serve as a significant reference for assessing the environmental impacts of similar products.
Sustainability has become increasingly crucial due to the recognition that the world's resources are finite, alongside the escalating threat of global warming. The traditional linear economic model, which relies on a take, make, dispose approach, is gradually being replaced by the circular economy model that encourages the reuse of resources and waste minimization. In addition to this new approach, a Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism introduces a taxation system that considers greenhouse gas emissions from the import of carbon-intensive products. This system aims to promote greener and more sustainable production and consumption patterns within the circular economy framework and is seen as an important tool in combating global warming. Wearable technologies are becoming prevalent in many areas of our lives, and as an unconventional use of these technologies, electronic monitoring bracelets used for security purposes in probation. This study undertakes a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) on electronic bracelets, analyzing their environmental impacts from cradle to gate. The aim is to examine the environmental impacts that occur during the production process of this special devices and to present sustainable alternative scenarios in the light of the findings. Inventory data was collected directly from the manufacturer, and analyzed using the SimaPro software, following the ISO 14040 guidelines for LCA. As a result of the study, several sustainable production scenarios that include alternatives for energy and raw materials have been proposed, providing recommendations for manufacturer to align with circular economy and carbon policies. According to the literature, since there is no similar study on the life cycle assessment of electronic bracelets, this study expected to serve as a significant reference for assessing the environmental impacts of similar products.