Impact analysis of packaging box composition on supply chain emissions (A case study with Dell Technologies)

Abstract

This capstone project studies the methods to effectively calculate scope 3 emissions for the packaging boxes of Dell Technologies. The study emphasizes that all sustainability elements are interconnected, and trade-offs need to be considered to optimize overall sustainability in packaging. The model answers questions such as the relationship between material composition, and greenhouse gas emissions, how it can help teams make better decisions, and how greenhouse gas emissions can be controlled by changing packaging variables such as recycled content. The study also presents dashboards that calculate and analyze the total emissions under scope 3, category 1, and category 4 for different packaging types shared by Dell Technologies. The dashboard requires two inputs: a split of air vs. ocean mode of transportation and the packaging type. Our results show that weight, distance traveled, and material type are major factors contributing to emissions. Category 1 is affected by the weight and type of material, while Category 4 is affected by the weight and distance traveled. The study also suggests that Dell Technologies' control over category 1 emissions is limited by the nature of the supply chain, and changing material or suppliers for corrugated boxes is the only direct influence they have. The project presents insights into which component of the packaging generates the maximum emissions, how recycled content impacts emissions and the variation in emission factors by region. Ultimately, this project can help Dell scale this exercise across multiple use cases to achieve their sustainability goals.