Packaging data

This article explains the key concepts of packaging data, from simple product-level entries to reusable packaging entities.

Please note

If you are looking for more hands-on information on how to create Packaging entites, please refer to the Packaging chapter.

Understanding packaging calculations

EandoX lets you add packaging information in two ways. You can either add it on a product level, or as a separate reusable Packaging entity:

Product-level packaging

If a product packaging consists of a single material, you can add it directly as a material when defining the product/component. An example of this could be adding 0.05kg of Plastic Wrapping in the Materials section.

The benefit of this approach is that it's straightforward and doesn't require the creation of a separate Packaging entity.

However, it's less clear that the Plastic Wrapping is representing the packaging material (and not a part of the product itself). It's also less flexible for complex packaging setups, and can't be reused (or modified) for multiple products/components at once.

Data quality

While it's straightforward, this approach may not be as accurate for LCA calculations as creating a separate Packaging entity (as detailed below). It may also make it harder to keep all product data up to date.

Packaging entity

For complex multi-material packaging, it's better to create it as a separate Packaging entity. An example of this could be to create a Packaging entity called Cardboard box with foam inserts, containing all material and amounts. You can then add this Packaging entity to the product/component in the Packaging section.

The benefit of using a Packaging entity, is that it lets you manage all materials and amounts in one place. When you need to update the packaging, you only need to change it once, and all products using that packaging will automatically update.

Data quality

It is generally a better idea to use a Packaging entity for all your packaging needs, as it provides a more structured and organized approach to managing the data. It may also lead to more accurate LCA calculations.

Understanding functional units

The amount of packaging you enter is always connected to the functional unit (FU) of the product/component being analyzed. The functional unit is the unit in which the product is sold, and it sets the scale for your packaging data.

Setting the functional unit

The unit is set when creating a product, but can be changed from the Edit menu in the Product page header.

The functional units are:

• Piece - pc
• Meter - m
• Kilogram - kg
• Square Meter - m2
• Cubic Meter - m3

Example 1 - Wooden Chair

The functional unit for the product Wooden Chair is Piece - pc. This means that you need to specify the packaging for one single chair. For instance, if one chair requires 0.5kg of cardboard, you input 0.5kg of cardboard packaging.

Example 2 - Diamond

The functional unit for the product Wood Pellets is Kilogram - kg. This means that you need to specify how much packaging is used for 1 kg of Wood Pellets (even if the Wood Pellets are sold in other quantities). For example, if 1kg of Wood Pellets uses 0.1kg of LDPE plastic, you input 0.1 kg of LDPE.