School year 2009-10Promoter and Supervisor

Teacher: Gabriella Giulia Pulcini

ISTITUTO PROFESSIONALE DI STATO PER L’INDUSTRIA E L’ARTIGIANATO DI SAN BENEDETTO DEL TRONTO

cl. 3°A Chemical-biological tech. Sustainability awareness

cl. 3°B Beauty technician. Packaging of cosmetics

cl. 3°A Dental technician. Eco-toothpaste: sustainable oral hygiene

COMENIUSProjects on

Sustainabilty and Responsible Consumption

AIMS

• Developing an active citizenship;• Becoming aware of correct behaviours.

COMMON SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES OF THE EXPERIENCE

• Using waste separation;• Cutting down on consumer products and choosing eco-friendly products;

• Understanding labels and symbols; • Identifying cause-effect relationship;• Finding out eco-friendly strategies as do-it-by-yourself production

Sustainability is an ideology which joins together economical, social and environmental issues.Sustainability is a focal point of present and future technology:“Sustainability is satisfying the current needs without compromising future generations possibilities to meet their needs”Commission of United Nations on Environment and its Development (1987)

Sustainability

Environmental impact

“Environmental impact” is:

the whole of effects, positive and negative, direct and indirect, temporary and permanent, that a particular act has on the environment, considered as a complex system of human and natural resources and their interactions.

PackagingPackaging is the wrapping of a product used for:

• Protecting• Trasporting• Preserving• Informing and communicating• Easing its use

In our houses these materials aretransformed into disposing waste.

Packaging is paid twice:• Buying (between 20% and 60% of total cost)• Disposing (by taxes).

Types of packagingAluminium 1,19% Wood 3,5%

Steel 6,2%

Multi-material 8,1%

Glass 40,2%

Carton 12,9%

Plastic 27,7%

Types of packaging • PRIMARY. It is the unit sale for the consumer, for

example aluminium or plastic tube of a toothpaste.

• SECONDARY. It is the set of more unit sales for example carton boxes containing the toothpaste tubes.

• TERTIARY. Transport packing as pallet or big boxes.

The choice of products and responsible consumption

In choosing the right product it is necessary to pay attention,beside quality and price,also nature and dimension of packing!

The choice of products should consider: 1. Without o the least packing2. Packing made of recycled material3. Packing made of recyclable material4. Packing made up of an only material

For example the choice of cosmetics and dentifrices should be made among those which are without wrapping.

The choice of products and responsible consumption

The choice of products should be based on real necessity and on an appropriate estimate of product, according to the labels ,

symbols and logos that certify they are eco-friendly.

Analysis of a counter product:the toothpaste

History of Toothpastes

• The first record of toothpaste is in 1780 and included scrubbing the teeth with a formula containing burnt bread!

• Most toothpastes in the 19th century came in powder form.• The succulent strawberry was considered to be a "natural"

solution for preventing tartar and giving fresh breath. • Many early toothpastes were made with urine! They

believed its ammonia content served as a cleaning agent.• Fluoride was added to toothpaste in 1914 to fight tooth

decay.

Common Ingredients in Toothpastes

Constituent Concentration (%) Abrasive 20 - 50

Water 20 - 40 Humectants 20 - 35 Detergent 1 - 3 Thickening agent 1 - 2 Flavoring agent 0 - 2 Sweetening agent 0 - 2 Therapeutic agent 0 - 2 Coloring or preservative 0.05 - 0.5

What Do They Do?Constituent

1. Abrasive2. Water3. Humectants4. Detergent5. Thickening agent6. Flavoring agent7. Sweetening agent8. Therapeutic agent(s)9. Color or preservative

10. Binder

Purpose1. Cleaning/stain removal2. Solvent for ingredients3. Provide creamy texture4. Surfactant/foambuilder5. Controls viscosity6. Improves taste7. Enhances flavor8. Active ingredient(s)9. Color or preservative10.Holds ingred. together

Comparison among three different toothpastes

MentadentMicrogranules

CoopTotal protection

AZComplete

ExpressionsExotic Energy

Example of Product SheetProduct Name: Mentadent MicrogranulesProduct Type: Toothpaste

Primary packing (Volume): Present, 118 ccPrimary Packing Material: No Plastic Material

Secondary Packing (Volume): Present, 308 ccSecondary Packing Material: Plastified Cellulose (carton)

Presence of Disposal Instructions: AbsentClinically tested Product: Yes, Clinical approved by the Italian Dentists

National AssociationPresence of Illustrated Ingredints: Present

Sweetening Agents: Sorbitol;Abrasive Compounds: Hydrated Silica;

Binder: PEG-32;Detergents: Sodium Lauryl Sulfate;

Flavouring Agents: Aroma; Zinc Citrate; Limonene;Fluoride Compounds: Sodium Fluoride;Thickening Agents: Cellulose Gum;

Colouring or Preservative: CL 42090; CL 74260; CL 77891Density: 1,82g/ml

Ph: Ph 7 NeutralFlavour: Mint

Visual Appearance: Nice

PROJECTSustainability awareness

Class 3°A Chemical-Biological Technician

• Gel and Toothpaste Analysis• Primary an Secondary packaging analysis

(volumes and materials)• Environmental Impact• Chemical and physical characteristics (natural

and artificial)• Useful tools for its production

Material propriety knowledge and the possible recycle of packing

PROJECT Packaging of cosmetics

Class 3°B Beauty Technician

• What a cosmetic is• Choice of eco-friendly cosmetics• Packaging as Mix Marketing: Product, Price,

Place, Promotion• Cosmetic quality and label understanding

Eco-friendly beauty.The natural choice.

Being beautiful at any rate or naturally beautiful?

PROJECTEco-toothpaste:

a sustainable oral hygieneClass 3°A Dental Technician

• Oral hygiene. The importance of dental health. • Tooth anatomy. Tooth enemies. Caries. • Tooth cleaning. General characteristics of a

toothpaste. • The choice of a toothpaste according to tooth and

gums problems.

Analysis of toothpastes for specific dental problems

It helps to repair the damaged

enamel surfaceIt helps to prevent

tooth deseasesIt reinforces the

enamel

The eco-friendly hygiene

It is possible to have an effective oral hygiene without fluoride, colouring agents, saccarine and other chemical elements which can be considered dangerous for our health and sustainability. The use of natural ingredients as Mint, Sage, Vera Aloe, Silica, Lime, Horse chestnut, Tea Tree Oil, Mentol, Xilitol allow to have healthy and beautiful teeth respecting nature.

Let’s make a homemade toothpaste

- two tablespoons of liquid glycerin- two tablespoons of sodium bicarbonate- 1-2 coffeespoons of kaolin- 1 coffeespoon of fine salt (strained)- 3 drops of Lemon essential oil- 2 drops of Peppermint essential oil Mix all the ingredients together (except for essential oils) blending them well in order not to have lumps.

Add the essential oils and stir well.

Pour it in a bottle. Expiring date is after 30 days - room temperature.

Another recipe- 65 g Kaolin- 50 ml water- 1g of NaCl- 1 coffeespoon of bicarbonate- 1 drop of sage essential oil- 2 drops of tea tree

Mix all the ingredients (except for essential oils), blending them well in order not to have lumps.

Add the essential oils and stir well

Pour it in a bottle and store in the refrigerator.

Comparison between commercial and home made

toothpastes• Chemical-physical characteristics (pH, density,

smell, colour, appearance)• Ingredients analysis (natural, artificial)• Microbiological characteristics (UFCs present 24

hours after the opening of the product)• Defining PAO (Period After Opening)• Used packing analysis• Environmental impact analysis

ConclusionsSUSTAINABILITY

…IS NOT ABOUT A DESTINATION…IT IS SIMPLY A DIRECTION

“Life’s challenges are notsupposed to paralyze you.

They are supposed to help youdiscover who you are.”

Bernice Johnson ReagonSinger, composer, scholar, and social activist

English translations made by teachers Maria Luisa Ficcadenti

Loredana Vero

THANKS