Carbon Footprint Calculation from Cradle to Grave: A Case Study of Rubber Manufacturing Process in Sri Lanka

The core objective of this research is to identify the carbon footprint of rubber based products in relevance to different phases of the manufacturing process to identify greenhouse gas emission effect correlated at different stages to establish mitigation strategies. In order to carry out research objectives; ten unstructured interviews were conducted with the relevant professionals to identify the propelling and the restraining forces to product carbon footprint. The Case study revealed that the product carbon footprint for non-organic scope was calculated as 6.67 kg CO2e per kg of latex foam produced an organic scope of 3.34 kg CO2e per kg respectively. It is clear that application of fertilizers during the cultivation would double the emissions in the final product. It further revealed that carbon emission in one kg of latex foam contribute to global warming of 47 percent due to cultivation, 45 percent due to foam production and 8 percent due to centrifuging.