Debunking the 'Local is Greener' Myth: Life Cycle Assessment of Local vs. Imported Ingredients in Ice Cream Production
Abstract
Although
locally
sourced
ingredients
are
perceived
to
have
a
lower
carbon
footprint
due
shorter
transportation
distances,
their
comprehensive
environmental
impact
has
been
less
studied.
The
study
compares
Taiwanese
sourced,
Sri
Lanka,
and
New
Zealand-imported
raw
materials
using
the
life
cycle
assessment
(LCA)
model,
employing
both
Midpoint
Endpoint
methods
from
ReCiPe
assess
impacts
of
industrially
produced
black
tea
latte
sesame
ice
cream.
Results
show
that
cream
contribute
more
obvious
global
warming
(0.563
kg
CO2
eq)
terrestrial
ecotoxicity
(0.433
1,4-DCB)
than
imported.
land
use
domestic
is
2.9
times
higher
analysis
reveals
22%
24%
on
human
health,
ecosystem
damage,
resource
scarcity,
while
55%
60%
shows
products
made
with
imported
emissions
during
production
stages,
including
0.04
CO2e
material
acquisition
reductions
0.03
0.05
for
transportation.
Scenario
simulations
suggest
replacing
whole
milk
powder
domestically
fresh
can
reduce
by
37%
67%,
instead
could
41%
70%.
findings
offer
strategic
recommendations
balancing
cost,
flavor,
achieve
sustainable
models
effective
reduction
strategies.
Research Square (Research Square), Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown
Published: May 5, 2025
Language: Английский