Single-Use Plastic Bag

Material Composition Assumptions

The default assessment considers a standard grocery bag weighing approximately 32.5 grams with the following material breakdown:

• High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE): 29 grams (90%) representing the primary structural material
• Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE): 2 grams (6%) used in alternative formulations for flexibility
• Petroleum-derived feedstock inputs: 1 gram (3%) accounting for processing chemicals
• Additives and colorants: 0.5 grams (1%) including trace amounts of stabilizers and pigments

This composition reflects typical grocery store bags manufactured through blown film extrusion processes. The HDPE content provides structural integrity while maintaining the lightweight characteristics that define single-use applications.

Manufacturing Geography

China serves as the primary manufacturing region for global plastic bag production, accounting for the largest share of polyethylene processing capacity worldwide. The country’s extensive petrochemical infrastructure and proximity to major polymer feedstock sources create cost advantages that drive international supply chains.

Chinese manufacturing facilities typically operate on a grid intensity of 555 kgCO2e/MWh, reflecting the coal-heavy electricity generation mix. This relatively high carbon intensity significantly influences the manufacturing emissions profile, particularly during the energy-intensive resin processing and film extrusion stages that require substantial thermal energy inputs.

Regional Variation

Manufacturing Region	Grid Intensity	Estimated CCI Score	Adjustment vs Default
China	555 kgCO2e/MWh	48	Baseline
United States	386 kgCO2e/MWh	42	-12.5%
European Union	253 kgCO2e/MWh	37	-23%
India	708 kgCO2e/MWh	54	+12.5%
Southeast Asia	615 kgCO2e/MWh	51	+6%

Provenance Override Guidance

Suppliers can submit the following data types to override the default CCI score with facility-specific measurements:

1. Direct energy consumption data from resin manufacturing and film extrusion processes, including natural gas and electricity usage per kilogram of finished bags
2. Transportation manifests showing actual shipping distances and modes from petrochemical facilities to bag manufacturing sites
3. Waste management contracts and disposal records demonstrating end-of-life treatment methods for production waste streams
4. Third-party verified life cycle assessments conducted within the past three years using ISO 14040 methodology standards
5. Renewable energy certificates or power purchase agreements documenting clean electricity procurement for manufacturing operations

Methodology Notes

• The CCI score represents cradle-to-grave emissions including raw material extraction, manufacturing, distribution, and end-of-life disposal for one standard grocery bag
• Scope 3 dominates the emissions profile due to upstream petroleum refining and downstream waste management impacts beyond direct manufacturing control
• The functional unit assumes a single-use scenario without reuse or recycling, reflecting typical consumer behavior patterns
• Transportation emissions exclude consumer trips to retail locations but include distribution from manufacturing facilities to points of sale
• End-of-life calculations assume landfill disposal as the predominant waste management pathway based on global recycling statistics
• Data gaps exist for regional variations in waste infrastructure and long-term degradation impacts in marine environments