Sugar industry's massive carbon footprint revealed: LCA uncovers staggering environmental toll of white crystal sugar production.
The study investigated the environmental impact of a sugar factory using a method called Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). This method looks at all the stages of a product's life to see its impact on the environment. Data from the factory in 2019 was collected and analyzed, focusing on areas like energy use, waste production, and greenhouse gas emissions. The results showed that the biggest contributions to the factory's environmental burden were related to global warming, acidification, energy use, and pollution. For example, the factory emitted around 375,966.95 tons of CO2 equivalent, causing a significant impact on the environment. This study helps us understand how sugar production affects the environment and can guide efforts to reduce its negative effects.