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Boatwright Memorial Library

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Nick Dease
He/Him/His
Contact:
Boatwright Library, Rm. 185
261 Richmond Way
University of Richmond, VA 23173
804-289-8453

General Approach

Manufacturer Websites and Product Packaging

  • Visit the websites of the leading manufacturers for each product. They usually have material safety data sheets, FAQs, product descriptions, and sustainability reports that provide insight into materials and production.
  • Check the packaging if you have access to physical products. It may include information on the material composition, place of manufacture, and recycling instructions.

Industry Reports and Market Research

  • Look for industry analysis reports. Databases like Statista or IBISWorld often contain data on production details including current trends and locations.
  • Research market research reports for specific products. These reports can provide insights into production methods, leading companies, and market shares.

Patents and Scientific Literature

  • Use Google Patents or the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) database to find patents related to these materials. Patents may provide detailed information about composition and manufacturing processes.
  • Search academic databases like Google Scholar, PubMed, or journal databases for research papers. This could provide detailed scientific perspectives on materials and their uses.

Regulatory Bodies and Standards

  • Check for regulations relevant to the products from bodies like the FDA or EPA (for environmental impact considerations).
  • Look at standards organizations like ASTM or ISO which may have standards related to the production or composition of these products.
  • If you’re interested in the environmental aspect, organizations such as the Environmental Working Group (EWG) may provide information regarding the sustainability of these products.
  • Search for life cycle assessments (LCA) studies that analyze the environmental impact of products throughout their life span.

News Articles and Documentaries

  • Media outlets often cover stories related to large-scale manufacturing and its impact, as well as the introduction of new materials and technologies.
  • Documentaries on sustainability or specific industries can also be a source of information about manufacturing practices.
  • Try searching our News Databases.

 

Running into barriers? Try WorldCat