Lifecycle Of A Soccer Ball
Over 40 million soccer balls are produced each year, however, each soccer ball takes a tremendous amount of time and effort to be created.
Materials Extraction
Other Resources Used For Making A Soccer Ball
Synthetic leather may be used in the construction of a soccer ball. This is a non-renewable resource. Synthetic leather is commonly known as “vegan leather” and it is mainly made from two materials - PVC and polyurethane. Both PVC and polyurethane are petrochemical products, meaning they are made from chemical derivatives of petroleum which is crude oil. Petroleum extraction requires drilling for oil using oil rigs which is dangerous and risky and can also lead to spilling of crude oil into our ocean. PVC and polyurethane are both made from non-renewable sources therefore synthetic leather is also a non-renewable resource.
The rubber used for the bladder in the ball is usually made extracted from plants but sometimes synthetics may be used. Synthetic rubber is any artificial elastomer. These are mainly polymers synthesized from petroleum byproducts ( making synthetic rubber non-renewable ). About fifteen billion kilograms (thirty-three billion pounds) of rubbers are produced annually, and of that amount two-thirds are synthetic. Synthetic rubbers are made in chemical plants using petrochemicals. For example, one of the chemical is known as neoprene which is made by reacting together acetylene and hydrochloric acid. Emulsion styrene-butadiene rubber (E-SBR), another synthetic rubber, is widely used for making vehicle tires.
Natural Rubber vs Synthetic Rubber Production
The cover of the soccer ball may be made out of plastic. Plastic is a non-renewable resource that is created by petroleum ( oil processed from crude oil ).
What Actions Could Be Taken to Reduce The Impact of This Extraction?
Latex Adhesives & Glue
- The biggest issue with glue extraction is the waste(bones). The waste releases toxic gases into the air, it can create diseases, spreads bacteria and so on.
- To better deal with the waste, better machinery should be used in order to sort out the waste in an efficient way.
- In addition, more facilities need to be created so the waste is managed in the right way and if needed more employees can be hired so that the facilities can be established.
- Finally, since the extraction of glue has a significant impact towards the environment it is very hard to reduce the environmental impact. However, we can switch from glue from animal bones to green glue. Researchers have developed a new, environmentally friendly adhesive which is made with renewable natural resources.
- The glue, which replaces current adhesives that release cancer-causing chemicals into the air, will improve the environment. Other Eco-friendly adhesives have been developed which have had a significant impact on the environment.
Social Impact of Extraction
Latex Adhesives and Glue
- The waste of the bones of animals has been disposed in ways that have caused pollution to surface and underground waters and air quality
- Causes oxygen-depletion in lakes while humans may also be affected through outbreak of water-borne diseases and other respiratory.
- Bone wastes are also ideal breeding grounds for disease-causing organisms (pathogens). Some facilities usually dispose of the waste by burning it which further pollutes the air therefore, affecting human lives.
- All of these impacts with the waste has had a tremendous social impact.
Materials Processing/Component Manufacturing
Where are the raw materials transported to?
The raw materials are transported to factories. Most of the world's soccer balls are produced in the Sialkot, Pakistan. Pakistan alone accounts for 75 percent of total world production of soccer balls, and 71 percent of all soccer ball imports into the United States. The remainder of production occurs mostly in China, India and Indonesia.
Full Process of Manufacturing
Production process of the official 2010 FIFA World Cup match ball Jabulani
Which renewable, non-renewable or flow resources are used during this processing?
Humans are used during this process and humans are a renewable resource. To power the machinery, electricity/batteries are used. Batteries are renewable and electricity is a non-renewable resource. Heat is also used in this process to give the soccer ball shape. Heat is a renewable resource.
Electricity Consumption By Country
A lot of the waste is disposed of at landfills affecting the environment in a negative way. Some of the machinery is powered by batteries. When the batteries decompose they undergo photochemical reactions. This causes emissions of greenhouse gases. The greenhouse effect results in global warming/climate change. This can also lead to air pollution. Batteries contain toxic chemicals that are absorbed by the soil. They can leak and affect the organism in the soil and affect the ecosystems. Batteries can also affect humans, for example, they can release chemicals such as lead which can be absorbed into the human body through inhalation or digestion.
Final Assembly
What is the contribution to greenhouse gas emissions of this transportation?
As I mentioned earlier, the processed materials aren’t shipped anywhere else. They are assembled into a soccer ball at the same location. This is good for the environment because it doesn’t create more greenhouse gases.
Which renewable, non-renewable or flow resources are used during this assembly?
In this stage, all of the work is done by humans, for example, the sewing. All in all, there are no renewable, non-renewable or flow resources used during this stage of the assembly expect humans who are a renewable resource.
What is the environmental impact of this assembly stage?
At this stage of assembly, all the work is done by hand. You have to stitch all the parts together. There are no machines used in this stage. This has a positive effect on the environment since no emissions are being released and no harmful chemicals are affecting the environment.
Consumption
End of Life/Waste Disposal
Where does the waste go? Is it transported to other countries?
There is no waste since it is recycled and sometimes some parts of the soccer ball are burned or some people just threw it into the garbage. Due to this, the burnt parts may pollute the air and the waste may just stay on the ground affecting the soil. If it’s thrown in the garbage it won’t may land in landfills. In addition, it depends on the location, for example, Canada may send its waste soccer balls to China to be recycled whereas other countries might do it themselves.
What is the environmental impact of the disposal, recycling or re-purposing of a soccer ball? What is the social impact?
Since soccer balls are often recycled meaning it has a positive effect on the environment. Recycling has a positive effect on the environment by not creating any waste instead, you can create new products. Recycling also helped the environment by saving natural resources ( making stuff out of the trash ), saves energy vs making a new product and it reduces greenhouse gases which helps stop climate change. Finally, habitat destruction and global warming are some of the effects caused by deforestation. Recycling reduces the need for raw materials so that the rainforests can be preserved.
Recycling programs also contribute to the overall health and well-being of a community. Fewer landfills mean better property values. Recycling can boost your local economy in a big way. Preparing material for recycling is much more labor-intensive than incineration or land-filling. In fact, the Institute for Local Self-Reliance reports that industries engaged in sorting and processing recyclable material employ 10 times more people than traditional waste disposal firms do. Due to the huge process it creates more jobs helping the local economy. It will also make sure the air is clean and there is less pollution which has a positive impact on the people living in the area.
Conclusion
Over the years, the soccer ball has changed, its materials have changed and the soccer ball itself as changed too. The life cycle of a soccer ball is incredible since it goes through so many steps before it finally delivers to you. Many of the materials used in a soccer ball have a negative affect on the environment and people. However, soccer balls are constantly changing, for the better. The tiny steps make a difference and in the future, the process could be more Eco-friendly! Imagine the process of these 3 different soccer balls.
1950 WC soccer ball
WC 2002 soccer ball
WC 2018 soccer ball
2022 - ????
Links I used:
Photos
ww.google.com/search?q=champion+leagues+soccer+ball+in+game&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwivquqP7q7nAhUXbc0KHWNDCnkQ_AUoAXoECBEQAw&biw=1536&bih=722&dpr=2.5&safe=active&ssui=on#imgrc=x-eWBfeM8RZWeM
