Investigation topic 4: The sustainability of a commercial product or material
In Australia, new materials that are useful for society tend to be produced through a linear economy in which products are purchased, used and then thrown away. Increasingly, manufacturing companies are moving towards a circular economy, which seeks to reduce the environmental impacts of production and consumption while enabling economic growth through more productive use of natural resources and creation of less waste.
Research questions that may be explored in this investigation include:
· Select a commercial product that is available in different formulations: for example, vinegar (fermented, synthetic); salt (river salt, sea salt, iodised salt, Himalayan salt); cleaning products (soaps and detergents); oil (fish oil, coconut oil, olive oil); or milk (whole milk, skim milk, low-fat milk, A2 milk, plant milks such as almond, soy and coconut). What ingredients are in the product? How do the ingredients compare in the different product formulations? How is the product made? To what extent does the production of the product involve a linear economy or a circular economy? How does the production and use of the product impact human health and the environment?
What is a commercial (consumer) product?
Types of Products (Consumer Products vs Industrial Products)
https://www.facebook.com/iedunote. (2020, October). Types of Products (Consumer Products and Industrial Products). IEduNote. https://www.iedunote.com/types-of-products
Giurco, J., Dubash, R., Wakefield-Rann, E., Dubash, J., Rann, W., Prentice, R., Giurco, E., & Latimer, D. (n.d.). Chemical management for consumer products Industry landscape and recommendations for progress ABOUT THE AUTHORS RESEARCH TEAM. Retrieved June 6, 2023, from https://www.uts.edu.au/sites/default/files/2021-04/UTS_Chemical_Sustainability_report_2020_WEB.pdf
Vinegar
Including -
Vinegar - New World Encyclopedia. (2023). Newworldencyclopedia.org. https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Vinegar
Vinegar Making | NC State Extension Publications. (2022). Ncsu.edu. https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/vinegar-making
Food Biotechnology Production of vinegar
Miles, P. (2017, August 2). Food Biotechnology Production of vinegar. Slideplayer.com. https://slideplayer.com/slide/5384074/
Natural vinegar vs. synthetic vinegar
Henk Burggraaff. (2019, March 5). Natural vinegar vs. synthetic vinegar - BurgGroup. BurgGroup. https://www.burggroup.eu/natural-vinegar-vs-synthetic-vinegar/#:~:text=Vinegar%20is%20a%20collective%20word,vinegar%20originates%20in%20fossil%20fuels.
VINEGAR AND YOUR HEALTH
Hutchins, A. (2016). The Effect of Various Vinegars on Infectious Diseases and Body Metabolism. Digital Commons @ LIU. https://digitalcommons.liu.edu/post_honors_theses/54/
VINEGAR IN THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY
From natural fermentation to an industrial and innovative biomimetic process
You can download the full report
Afyren. (2022, July 7). From natural fermentation to an industrial and innovative biomimetic process - AFYREN. AFYREN. https://afyren.com/en/from-natural-fermentation-to-an-industrial-and-innovative-biomimetic-process/
Wang, K., Yu, Y., Liu, S., Zhu, Y., Liu, P., Yu, Z., & Wang, Y. (2022). A Review of the Current State and Future Prospects in Resource Recovery of Chinese Cereal Vinegar Residue. 11(20), 3256–3256. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods11203256
Salt
Stuff, W. (2019). Brief History of Salt [YouTube Video]. In YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2F2tTMHJZxI
THE CHEMISTRY OF SALT
FuseSchool - Global Education. (2015). What Are Salts? | Acids, Bases & Alkali’s | Chemistry | FuseSchool [YouTube Video]. In YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WnAKhtnJjz0
The chemistry of salt
Beckett, E. (2016, May 6). The chemistry of salt in the kitchen. Medicalxpress.com; Medical Xpress. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2016-05-chemistry-salt-kitchen.html
16.4: Acid-Base Properties of Salts. (2016, September 9). Chemistry LibreTexts. https://chem.libretexts.org/Courses/University_of_Arkansas_Little_Rock/Chem_1403%3A_General_Chemistry_2/Text/16%3A_Acids_and_Bases/16.04%3A_Acid-Base_Properties_of_Salts
Salt Production – How Is Salt Produced?
saltean_us. (2021, May 22). Salt Production – How Is Salt Produced? Saltean - Himalayan Salt Products Manfactures. https://www.saltean.com/salt-production/
The Nutrition Source - Salt and sodium
Salt and Sodium. (2013, July 18). The Nutrition Source. https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/salt-and-sodium/
SALT IN THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY
TED. (2019). A circular economy for salt that keeps rivers clean | Tina Arrowood [YouTube Video]. In YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCL4lsW6CUY
What is a circular economy?
A circular economy is an economic system that aims to eliminate waste and pollution, keep products and materials in use, and regenerate natural systems. It is based on three principles:
Eliminate waste and pollution
Circulate products and materials (at their highest value)
Regenerate nature
It is an alternative to traditional linear economies where we take resources, make things, consume them and throw them away.
Flannigan, S. (2021, April 19). The beginner’s guide to the circular economy. Sendle.com; Sendle. https://blog.sendle.com/guide-to-circular-economy
Oil
Exploring the Invention of Vegetable Oil: A Historical Journey
Exploring the Invention of Vegetable Oil: A Historical Journey - The Enlightened Mindset. (2023, January 12). The Enlightened Mindset - Exploring the World of Knowledge and Understanding. https://www.lihpao.com/when-was-vegetable-oil-invented/
THE CHEMISTRY OF COOKING OILS
17.2: Fats and Oils. (2014, July 18). Chemistry LibreTexts. https://chem.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Introductory_Chemistry/Basics_of_General_Organic_and_Biological_Chemistry_(Ball_et_al.)/17%3A_Lipids/17.02%3A_Fats_and_Oils
Dr. Sten Ekberg. (2021). Top 10 Cooking Oils... The Good, Bad & Toxic! [YouTube Video]. In YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pljQrjiDC9Q
Processing Edible Oils. (2022). Psu.edu. https://extension.psu.edu/processing-edible-oils
Collier, I. (2009). How It’s Made Vegetable oil [YouTube Video]. In YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKrY_WjogXk&t=9s
The 10 Best and Worst Oils For Your Health
Sifferlin, A. (2018, July 23). The 10 Best and Worst Oils For Your Health. Time; Time. https://time.com/5342337/best-worst-cooking-oils-for-your-health/
OIL IN THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY
Used Cooking Oil for a Greener Environment and Circular Economy
nationthailand. (2022, November 9). Used Cooking Oil for a Greener Environment and Circular Economy. Nationthailand; nationthailand. https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40021889
Give a second life to used cooking oil.
SOUJI. (2020). SOUJI. https://souji.es/
(2022). Prnasia.com. https://en.prnasia.com/releases/apac/chula-s-potassium-liquid-soap-from-used-cooking-oil-for-a-greener-environment-and-to-promote-a-circular-economy-384425.shtml
Milk
History of Cow's Milk from the Ancient World to the Present
Historical Timeline - Milk - ProCon.org. (2020, April 15). Milk. https://milk.procon.org/historical-timeline/
TED-Ed. (2017). The science of milk - Jonathan J. O’Sullivan [YouTube Video]. In YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmNzUEmFZMg
16 types of milk: Dairy, nut, plant & more
Barrett, H. (2021, November 29). 16 Types Of Milk: Dairy, Nut, Plant & More | Holland & Barrett. Hollandandbarrett.com. https://www.hollandandbarrett.com/the-health-hub/food-drink/drinks/nut-milks/guide-different-nut-milks-use/
Pak, T. (2021). The basic steps of milk production [YouTube Video]. In YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7TMtA8Eh9uE
Unbottled. (2021). Farm to Table: Pasteurization and Homogenization [YouTube Video]. In YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RsKHpQ1cDE
Milking it: cleaner climate, non-dairy milk alternatives go mainstream
Milking it: cleaner climate, non-dairy milk alternatives go mainstream. (2021). Rapidtransition.org. https://rapidtransition.org/stories/milking-it-cleaner-climate-non-dairy-milk-alternatives-go-mainstream/
Exploring the Growth of Plant-Based Milk
Plant-based milk now accounts for about 10% of the total milk market. This article covers plant-based milk production, its disadvantages and what's involved in maintaining quality and demand.
Exploring the Growth of Plant-Based Milk. (2021, September 23). Food Manufacturing. https://www.foodmanufacturing.com/consumer-trends/article/21723117/exploring-the-growth-of-plantbased-milk
MILK IN THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY
Casallas-Ojeda, M. R., Luz Elba Torres-Guevara, Caicedo-Concha, D. M., & Pilar, M. (2021). Opportunities for Waste to Energy in the Milk Production Industry: Perspectives for the Circular Economy. 13(22), 12892–12892. https://doi.org/10.3390/su132212892
