Life Cycle Assessment
Geberit Duofix WC Element
Framework of the Life Cycle Assessment
Concealed cisterns are the core products within Geberit installation systems. They have
been continuously improved and optimized for many years. The object of investigation,
the Geberit Duofix WC element, is one of Geberit’s major sales drivers. The question of
how this WC element is to be evaluated from an ecological point of view may be answered
with a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA).
Objects of investigation
Assumptions production
A calculation variant assumed on
The Geberit UP320 Duofix WC
Most components are produced
the one hand a reduction in the large
element with concealed cistern and
internally by Geberit. All important
flush volume from 6 to 4.5 liters and
dual flush (6/3 liters), including the
production processes are included
on the other hand two instead of one
flush actuator Samba white, was
in the assessment: injection mold­
cistern in the same household.
assessed. The following compo­
ing, blow molding, polystyrene
nents were analyzed in detail: steel
foaming, sheet-metal working and
Assumptions disposal
frame, cistern, filling and flush valve
powder-coating. Purchased parts
It was assumed that the cardboard
system, actuator plate and remain­
(e.g. angle stop valves) were assess­
packaging and all metal compo­
ing components.
ed using existing eco-inventories.
nents, such as the steel frame and
Functional unit
Assumptions utilization
A complete cistern with a lifetime
Utilization assumptions were based
It is further assumed that plastic
of 25 years was assessed as a func­
on a family of four requiring four
parts will be disposed of at an in­
tional unit.
small flush volumes (3 liters) and
cineration plant.
angle stop valve, will be recycled.
one large flush volume (6 liters) per
Scope
person per day. This results in an
The assessment covers all phases
average water consumption of 18
of the life cycle, from the extraction
liters per person per day. Water
of raw materials and energy carriers
consumption takes into account the
to the production and utilization of
water supply as well as the disposal
the cistern (water consumption) to
of unpolluted waste water.
disposal. Installation, the use of
panels and tiles, and removal were
not taken into account.
Result of the Life Cycle Assessment
The highest environmental impact of the Geberit Duofix WC element is clearly that of
usage-related water consumption. Of the individual components, the steel frame, cistern and
remaining components contribute most significantly to the overall environmental impact.
Analysis of results
structure and pump energy) and
An assessment of the cistern accord­
In the evaluation according to the
60 % to waste water disposal (mainly
ing to the Swiss method of ecologi­
Dutch impact assessment method,
infrastructure). Basing results on pol­
cal scarcity results in essentially the
indicated in Eco-indicator points
luted waste water, the environmental
same findings.
(EIP99), utilization results in 84 % of
impact increases by a factor of five.
the overall environmental impact.
Recommendations
This is a good five times higher than
With respect to the individual cistern
The dual flush should be installed
the environmental impact of all other
components, the steel frame is
and – where already in place – also
phases taken as a whole.
responsible for the majority of impact
be used.
due to the involved metal production
25
process and its share of the total
Reduce the large flush volume to
20
weight.
4.5 liters if WC bowl is designed
15
Based on the assumptions made,
10
the disposal process is of minor im­
Old concealed cisterns should be
portance.
adapted to the dual-flush technology
5
Disposal
Utilization
Production
0
using the Geberit water-saving con­
Reducing the large flush volume from
Raw material
EIP99
appropriately.
Duofix WC-Element 6/3 Liter
version set.
6 to 4.5 liters can reduce the environ­
mental impact an additional 8 %.
The use of rainwater or greywater
as an alternative to drinking water
With two cisterns in the same house­
should be considered.
This underscores the importance of
hold, the overall environmental impact
water-saving WC flushing systems.
increases only slightly by 16 %. At
When disposing of the WC, the
Approximately 40 % of the environ­
the same time the percentage of the
steel frame should be separated and
mental impact of the utilization phase
utilization phase is reduced by 11%
recycled.
relates to water supply (mainly infra­
points to 73 % of the overall impact.
Responsibility for water
Water is not only the most valuable asset on Earth but also increasingly one of
the most expensive. That is reason enough to think about a responsible use
of water. For example, on the average, about 125 liters of water are used per
person every day in private households in Germany. Approximately one-quarter
to one-third of such water consumption results from flushing toilets. Geberit
realized the water-saving potential and included it in its product development at
an early stage. Since 1970, the flushing process may be individually adjusted with
the flush-stop pushbutton. Dual-flush technology, which was introduced in 1996,
permits a further reduction in the flush volume to 6/3 liters. Compared to the still
widespread 9-liter full flush, up to 60% of the amount of water may be saved.
In the case of a family of four, this cor­
WC flush volume
responds to approximately 40,000 liters
(liters per person and day)
50
of water or 200 full bathtubs per year
40
and an annual cost reduction between
30
100 and 300 euros, depending on the
20
price of water.
10
Between 1998 and 2008, the entire
Dual flush (4,5/3 l)
Dual flush (6/3 l)
Flush-stop (6 l)
Flush-stop (9 l)
Geberit cistern fleet has been able to
Mono flush (9 l)
0
save over 7,400 million cubic meters
of water – equivalent to roughly twice
the annual requirements of all private
households in Germany.
History of Geberit cisterns
The production of the first Geberit cisterns dates far back into the past. In 1905,
the first exposed cisterns were made of wood with interior lead coatings. In
the 1950s, Geberit produced exposed cisterns made of plastic for the first time.
The first concealed cisterns were manufactured in 1964. Simultaneously, flush
volumes were reduced continuously. The Geberit Duofix WC element assessed
Detailed report
We will be happy to provide you with the detailed LCA report (as of December
2008, only available in German) on request. Please contact your local sales com­
pany or the Environment and Sustainability Department of the Geberit Group.
Geberit AG
Schachenstrasse 77
CH-8645 Jona
T +41 55 221 63 00
F +41 55 221 67 47
[email protected]
www.geberit.com
03.09 © by Geberit AG
is currently produced and sold each year by the millions.