The “Rucksack” of a Supply Chain for Butter vs. Margarine

Even if it’s not always visible for us, products have much to carry. The following example is simple, nonetheless impressive: According to the book Pendos CO₂-Zähler (in German), the production of 1 kg margarine causes only 1.35 kg in CO₂ equivalents, whereas the same amount of butter causes 23.80 kg in CO₂ equivalents. Seemingly substitutable products carry completely different amounts of CO₂! However, margarine can be much worse than butter, if it is made from rainforest-killing palm oil rather than from sun flowers. Hence, it’s not the product itself, but its supply chain that has a negative impact on our environment. Interesting CO₂ rucksacks have been revealed by the PCF Project. The final consumer is unable to buy sustainably, if he/she doesn’t know the underlying supply chain. An interesting solution has been implemented by the Swiss clothing manufacturer Switcher. Each garment bears its individual Respect Code which can be used by the customer to find online information about the social and ecological rucksack of that product.