Plastic Comb

Material Composition Assumptions

A standard plastic comb weighs approximately 40 grams and consists primarily of injection-molded polypropylene resin representing 34 grams or 85% of the total product weight. Colorants and chemical additives contribute an additional 1.2 grams or 3% of the composition to achieve desired appearance and processing characteristics. The remaining 4.8 grams or 12% consists of cardboard packaging materials used for retail presentation and product protection during distribution.

Manufacturing Geography

Primary manufacturing occurs in China, which dominates global production of small plastic personal care accessories due to established supply chains and cost advantages. The Chinese electricity grid operates at an average carbon intensity of 555 gCO2e/kWh, reflecting the country’s continued reliance on coal-fired power generation. This grid intensity directly impacts both the injection molding process and upstream polypropylene resin production within the region.

Regional Variation

Manufacturing Region	Grid Intensity	Estimated CCI Score	Adjustment vs Default
China	555 gCO2e/kWh	28	Baseline
Germany	366 gCO2e/kWh	24	-14%
India	708 gCO2e/kWh	32	+14%
Costa Rica	35 gCO2e/kWh	21	-25%
Poland	665 gCO2e/kWh	31	+11%

Provenance Override Guidance

1. Submit supplier-specific polypropylene resin carbon footprint data with third-party verification covering feedstock sources and production facility energy mix.

2. Provide detailed manufacturing facility energy consumption records demonstrating actual electricity grid mix or renewable energy procurement agreements.

3. Document packaging material specifications including recycled content percentages and alternative materials to cardboard with associated lifecycle data.

4. Supply transportation logistics data showing actual shipping distances, modal splits between ocean and land transport, and consolidation factors.

5. Present end-of-life management evidence including regional recycling rates, waste-to-energy recovery efficiency, or participation in extended producer responsibility programs.

Methodology Notes

• The CCI score represents cradle-to-grave emissions for a single plastic comb weighing 40 grams including retail packaging materials.

• Scope 3 emissions dominate the profile at 87% due to upstream polypropylene production and downstream waste management with minimal manufacturing energy requirements.

• The functional unit captures one complete product serving typical consumer grooming needs over an estimated 2-3 year useful life.

• Capital equipment for injection molding machinery and facility infrastructure are excluded due to negligible allocation across high-volume production runs.

• Data gaps exist for regional waste management practices and actual recycling rates which vary significantly by geographic market and local infrastructure capacity.