Dish Drying Rack (plastic/steel)

Material Composition Assumptions

A typical dish drying rack weighs approximately 800 grams and consists primarily of stainless steel grades 304 or 430 forming the main framework structure. The steel component represents roughly 85% of total weight at 680 grams. Supporting elements include polypropylene or polyethylene plastic components such as protective feet and connecting joints, accounting for approximately 10% or 80 grams. A thin zinc plating coating provides corrosion resistance and represents the remaining 5% at 40 grams. Stainless steel dominates the carbon footprint due to its energy-intensive production process, while plastic components contribute secondary emissions through petrochemical feedstock requirements.

Manufacturing Geography

China serves as the primary manufacturing region for dish drying racks due to established steel processing infrastructure and cost-competitive production capabilities. The Chinese electrical grid operates at an intensity of 555 grams of carbon dioxide per kilowatt-hour, reflecting the country’s continued reliance on coal-fired power generation. This grid intensity significantly influences the carbon footprint of energy-intensive steel production and plastic molding processes. Manufacturing facilities typically concentrate in industrial zones near major ports to facilitate raw material imports and finished product exports to global markets.

Regional Variation

Manufacturing Region	Grid Intensity	Estimated CCI Score	Adjustment vs Default
China	555 gCO2/kWh	12.0	Baseline
Germany	366 gCO2/kWh	9.2	-23%
South Korea	436 gCO2/kWh	10.6	-12%
India	708 gCO2/kWh	14.1	+18%
Norway	98 gCO2/kWh	6.8	-43%

Provenance Override Guidance

1. Submit detailed material composition data including steel grade specifications, recycled content percentages, and exact plastic resin types with associated production facility locations.

2. Provide manufacturing facility energy consumption records showing actual electricity usage per unit produced along with renewable energy procurement certificates or on-site generation data.

3. Document transportation logistics including shipping distances, modal split between ocean freight and trucking, and packaging material specifications with weight measurements.

4. Supply steel production facility information detailing blast furnace efficiency metrics, scrap steel input ratios, and energy source documentation for integrated steel mills.

5. Furnish end-of-life material recovery data showing actual recycling rates and downstream material flow tracking for both steel and plastic components.

Methodology Notes

• The CCI score represents cradle-to-grave emissions for one complete dish drying rack unit including raw material extraction, manufacturing, transportation, and end-of-life treatment.

• Scope 3 emissions dominate at 80% due to upstream steel and plastic production processes, while manufacturing contributes 5% through Scope 1 and 15% through Scope 2 grid electricity consumption.

• The functional unit assumes a five to ten year product lifespan under typical household usage patterns, allowing annual emissions amortization.

• Packaging materials and retail distribution beyond manufacturer shipping are excluded from the current assessment boundary.

• Limited data availability for emerging steel production technologies and regional recycling infrastructure creates uncertainty in certain geographical contexts.