How to Measure a Bicycle’s Carbon Footprint

In this guide, you'll learn how to measure a Bike in Arbor’s Carbon Management Platform, including adding subcomponents, materials, manufacturing processes, packaging details, and transportation activities. We'll also explore understanding the hotspot analysis to identify key areas for carbon reduction. By the end, you'll be equipped to use Arbor's tools effectively to make informed carbon strategy decisions and authentically communicate your sustainability story.

To begin, please:

• Login or Create an Arbor account (app.arbor.eco)

Creating a product

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1. Find the add product button in the top right corner

2. Add a product name

Example: Example Bike 

3. Select the product type

Example: Bicycle

2. Helpful tips

Add an image URL to keep track of products

Add optional fields for product organization, such as SKU, brand name, gender, etc. 

With Arbor’s free plan, you get 3 free all-access products

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Adding subproduct(s)

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1. Go to the Subproducts tab to start adding the parts of your bike
2. Click the Add Subproduct button.
3. Select Create New or Add Existing Product

If creating a new subproduct, enter the name, type, and quantity

Example: "Arbor’s Bicycle Seat, Bicycle Seat, 1"

1. Press Create Product
2. Move to the Materials tab and add materials for the Bicycle Seat subcomponent

Depending on how detailed you want your calculations to be, you can add manufacturing, packaging, and transportation for the subcomponent

Alternatively, return to the parent product (Example: Example Bike) and continue adding additional subcomponents

Note: Once you’ve added each subcomponent of the bike, be sure to include the manufacturing and transportation information for the parent product (Example: Example Bike)

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Adding material(s)

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1. Navigate to the materials tab

1. Add a material and select the material variation

Example: Carbon Fibre Reinforced Plastic 

Note: Search for a material name if you don’t see it in the material dropdown

2. Add a country of origin and quantity

If you don't know the country of origin, select Global or Unknown

2. If your product has additional components, click add component and follow the same steps

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Adding manufacturing details

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1. Navigate to the manufacturing tab
2. Selecting a manufacturing activity and its variation 
3. Add a country of origin and quantity

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Adding packaging details

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1. Navigate to the packaging tab
2. Select a packaging type

Example: box, polybag, etc.

3. Select a packaging variation 

Example: recycled, etc.

1. Add the packaging weight

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Adding transportation activities

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1. Navigate to the transportation tab
2. Select an origin country
3. Choosing a transport mode

Example: sea, air, ground (truck), etc.

1. Add any stops
2. Select a final destination
3. Helpful tips

You can rearrange any transport location by clicking and dragging on the map/pin icon

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Review the data you have added

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1. Navigate to the review tab
2. Review the product details and product data you entered
3. Review or edit sections as necessary

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See the carbon emissions 

1. Navigate to the impact tab 
2. See the carbon emissions impact of your product 

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Understanding the Hotspot Analysis

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1. Navigate to the analysis tab

You will see the carbon impact breakdown of your product and subcomponents (if added)

1. Click through sections that have dropdowns to see further emissions breakdown

Example: See the impact breakdown of one material in relation to the entire product