Tarpaulin

Plastic tarpaulins have been used in the field by humanitarian organisations since the 1980s. Every year, tens of millions of square metres of plastic sheeting are distributed to crisis-affected populations. They are used for a variety of purposes: emergency shelters, latrine covers, walls and fences (1).

Nowadays, tarpaulins are generally made of plastic, more specifically polyethylene (2). These materials can have a significant negative impact on the environment, both during their production (fossil raw materials, energy use) and at the end of their life, when the tarpaulins distributed risk polluting the local environment due to the lack of a local collection and recycling infrastructure.

Given the importance of tarpaulins to the humanitarian sector, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC) and the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) launched a project in May 2021 to design a new tarpaulin with a reduced environmental impact. The project is based on an analysis of the life cycle of the current tarpaulin, an ultraviolet (UV) test, two field surveys and a scientific study of bio sourced, biodegradable and recycled materials.

The study identified actions to reduce the carbon and environmental impact of a tarpaulin. The new tarpaulin will have a longer lifespan thanks to increased mechanical strength, as well as using less virgin materials thanks to reduced weight and the use of recycled plastics.

The UV resistance of tarpaulins is a key factor: exposure to UV light can cause rapid degradation of the tarpaulin. For example, a plastic tarpaulin purchased locally in the Democratic Republic of the Congo breaks down after just 4 months’ use, whereas the standard tarpaulin currently in use still offers 90% tensile strength after 8 years. In terms of UV resistance, the new tarpaulin should offer at least the same resistance (already very good on the standard tarpaulin).

The Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) also showed that effective recycling of the tarpaulin at the end of its life is the most important factor in reducing its impact on the environment. A proposal for a low-tech local recycling solution is currently being evaluated (3).

If the results of the field tests are positive, the new specifications will be used in autumn 2023.

• Transport

The life cycle analysis carried out in the study assumes that the tarpaulins are shipped by sea. The impacts of transporting and distributing the tarpaulins will increase considerably if they are transported by air. Depending on the mode of transport chosen, the global warming potential can be 10 to 29 times higher (4).

• Biodegradable and bio sourced plastics

Following the conclusions of the study, it was decided not to incorporate conventional biodegradable plastic (polyethylene) into the composition of the tarpaulins. The climatic conditions under which the tarpaulins are used are too varied and unpredictable to guarantee their durability in humanitarian contexts. Furthermore, the end of life is not controlled and in most cases will not meet the conditions of biodegradation. Bio sourced polyethylene will not be used either, as it has a higher environmental impact than fossil-based plastics in certain categories (use of resources, depletion of the ozone layer, human toxicity, terrestrial ecotoxicity, photochemical oxidation, acidification and eutrophication). There is also a potential conflict between food production and the production of bio-based plastics (5).

• Eco-design

The aim of eco-design is to minimise a product’s impact on the environment while meeting the needs of consumers and users. Eco-design takes environmental considerations into account throughout the life cycle of a good or service, right from the design stage. Eco-design therefore helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions linked to the product and its impact on the environment (10). It is common to see reductions in environmental impact of between 10% and 40% on several indicators (11). Life cycle analysis is often the basis of an eco-design project.

• Life cycle analysis

A life cycle assessment (LCA) of a product is a process for evaluating the effects of that product on the environment throughout its life. Carrying out an LCA of a product helps to optimise the use of raw materials and resources. LCA is sometimes referred to as a “cradle-to-grave” analysis. The key elements of LCA are:

1. to identify and quantify the environmental elements involved, for example energy, raw materials consumed, CO2 emissions or waste generated;
2. to assess the potential environmental impacts of these elements;
3. to evaluate the options available to reduce these impacts (12).

(1) QSE Working group, The development of tarpaulins, 2015 (EN) Read here

(2) Plastic Le Mag, Plastics to the rescue of the homeless, 2014 (FR), Read here

(3) ICRC/IFRC/UNHCR, Eco-designed tarpaulin project, 2021 – 2023 (EN)

(4) RISE, Life cycle analysis of an ICRC woven PE tarpaulin, 2022 (EN)

(5) ICRC/IFRC/UNHCR, Eco-designed tarpaulin project 2021 – 2023, Project newsletter, 2022 (EN) Read here

(6) Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, Increase in plastic pollution, 2022. Read here

(7) ICRC/IFRC/UNHCR, Eco-designed tarpaulin project 2021 – 2023, Project newsletter, 2022 (EN) Read here

(8) ICRC/IFRC/UNHCR, Eco-designed tarpaulin project 2021 – 2023, Project newsletter, 2022 (EN) Read here

(9) Statista, Plastic can take 500 years to degrade in the oceans, 2018 (EN). Read here

(10) Eco-design of products, French Ministry of Ecological Transition, 2023 (FR). Read here

(11) Eco-design of products, French Ministry of Ecological Transition, 2023 (FR). Read here

(12) European Environment Agency, Life Cycle Analysis (EN). Read here

(13) ICRC/IFRC/UNHCR, Eco-designed tarpaulin project 2021 – 2023, Project newsletter, 2022 (EN) Read here

(14) ICRC/IFRC/UNHCR, Eco-designed tarpaulin project 2021 – 2023, Project Newsletter, 2022 (EN) Read here

(15) EPFL, Practical technologies for the global South – 2020 (EN) Read here