Sport Water Bottle (tritan)

Consumer Goods
Medium Confidence

Carbon Cost Index Score

35 kgCO₂e / per unit

Per kg

175 kgCO₂e / kg

Methodology v1.0 · Last reviewed 2026-04-08

Scope Breakdown

Scope kgCO₂e % of Total Distribution
Scope 1 1.75 5%
Scope 2 3.5 10%
Scope 3 29.75 85%
Total 35 100%

Emission Hotspots

Emission Hotspot Scope Est. % of Total
material production S3 55%
use phase washing S1 20%
blow molding and bottle manufacturing S3 15%
distribution and transport S3 8%
end-of-life treatment S3 2%

Manufacturing Geography

Region
China
Grid Intensity
555 gCO2/kWh (IEA 2023)

Material Composition Assumptions

This assessment covers sport water bottles manufactured from Tritan copolyester, a BPA-free plastic commonly used in premium reusable bottle brands. The typical bottle weighs approximately 200 grams and consists of the following components:

The Tritan material provides durability and chemical resistance while maintaining clarity and impact resistance comparable to polycarbonate alternatives. Optional components such as carrying straps or measurement markings contribute minimally to the overall material footprint.

Manufacturing Geography

Primary manufacturing occurs in China, which dominates global plastic bottle production due to established supply chains and processing infrastructure. The Chinese electricity grid operates at an average intensity of 555 gCO2/kWh, significantly influencing the carbon footprint of energy-intensive processes like plastic polymerization and injection molding.

Chinese facilities benefit from economies of scale and proximity to petrochemical feedstock sources, though the coal-heavy electricity mix increases emissions compared to regions with cleaner grids. Manufacturing consolidation in this region also affects transportation distances to global markets.

Regional Variation

Manufacturing RegionGrid IntensityEstimated CCI ScoreAdjustment vs Default
China555 gCO2/kWh35Baseline
European Union275 gCO2/kWh28-20%
United States385 gCO2/kWh32-9%
India650 gCO2/kWh38+9%
Nordic Countries85 gCO2/kWh22-37%

Provenance Override Guidance

Suppliers can provide the following data types to override the default CCI score:

  1. Detailed material composition with specific Tritan grade and additive content
  2. Manufacturing facility location with verified electricity consumption and grid mix data
  3. Transportation modes and distances from production to distribution centers
  4. Actual production energy consumption per unit with breakdown by process step
  5. End-of-life recycling rates and treatment methods in target markets

Methodology Notes

Related Concepts

Sources

  1. Carl Oscar 2025 Carbon Life Cycle Assessment Report — Comprehensive analysis of reusable bottle materials showing Tritan's moderate carbon footprint compared to alternatives.
  2. Papong et al. 2014 Journal of Cleaner Production — Academic study demonstrating the environmental benefits of reusable bottles over single-use alternatives.
  3. NAPCOR 2023 Life Cycle Assessment — Industry analysis of plastic bottle production processes and their associated carbon emissions.
  4. Grindel 2017 University of Wisconsin Refillable Water Bottle Study — Research identifying breakeven points for reusable bottles and optimal use patterns for emission reduction.
  5. Plastic Education 2023 Water Bottle LCA Analysis — Educational resource examining washing behavior impacts on the overall environmental footprint of reusable bottles.
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