Life cycle inventory of green tea production: case of gambung

Abstract

Since long times ago, Indonesia has been known as one of foremost tea producers in the world. However, in recent years the total export contribution of Indonesian tea is declining. High competition and environmental sustainability issues is among the causing factors. Meanwhile, life cycle assessment has gained more attention to measure the potential impact of a product over its stages, from material extraction, production, distribution, consumption and product disposal. In this study, a life cycle inventory analysis has been performed to Indonesian green tea, using case of Gambung’s green tea factory in West Java Province, Indonesia. Data collection and calculations intended to quantify inputs and outputs of green tea production. The analysis itself was done in the basis of literature study and field data collection. The result of such inventory analysis indicates that to produce 3.2 ton of bulk green tea, needs 15 ton of fresh tea leaf, 31 tubes LPG of 50 kg and 2.7 ton wood pellet are needed. This process also produces 54 kg waste of ash wood pellet, 130 kg crushed-burnt leaf, 65 kg residue, and 11.6 ton vapor released.