Figure 8.21 shows a 1,700-watt steam iron. It weighs 1.3 kg, 98% of which is accounted for by the seven components listed in the table. The iron heats up on full power in 4 minutes, and then it is...

Figure 8.21 shows a 1,700-watt steam iron. It weighs 1.3 kg, 98% of which is accounted for by the seven components listed in the table. The iron heats up on full power in 4 minutes, and then it is used, typically, for 20 minutes on half power. At end of life the iron is dumped in a landfill. Create an eco-audit for the iron assuming that it is used once per week over a life of 5 years, using data from the following table. Do not take transportation and end of life into account.

What conclusions can you draw? How might the life-energy be reduced?

Steam iron: bill of materials