Carbon Footprint of Sunflower Seeds: Eco Friendly Sunflower Seed Benefits

Sunflower seeds are a huge agricultural product and a source of vital nutrients for consumers, but how does the carbon footprint of sunflower seeds measure up to similar snack foods?

This article highlights the benefits of sunflower seeds and takes a closer look at greenhouse gas emissions generated during sunflower seed production.

Continue reading to learn why sunflower seeds are a sustainable, eco-friendly choice for everyone!

What Is the Carbon Footprint of Sunflower Seeds?

The sunflower plant, Helianthus annuus, is a symbol of summer and a beautiful addition to any yard, and it is also a highly useful plant.

Because products from sunflowers are so commonly consumed, particularly sunflower oil and sunflower seeds, a closer look at their carbon emissions is warranted.

The majority of sunflower seeds are grown in Europe and Asia, with over half of all sunflower seed production occurring in Ukraine and Russia. The United States is also a major producer of sunflower seeds, which are grown primarily in the Dakotas.²⁹

This is important as transportation of goods, particularly internationally, increases their overall carbon footprint. Thus, sunflower seeds grown and processed within the United States will have a smaller carbon footprint for individuals within the country.

Several studies on the carbon footprint of sunflower seeds and sunflower seed production have been conducted. A study examining sunflower agrosystems in western Iran reported a carbon footprint of 0.875 kg of CO₂e per every kg of sunflower seed.²⁷

Another study comparing rain-fed and irrigated sunflower crops cultivated in Portugal found that GHG emissions were similar for the two systems.¹²

Carbon Cloud reports that sunflower seed produced in the Netherlands generates approximately 1.03 kg of CO₂e per every kg of seed, but this does not include factors such as capital goods, farm equipment maintenance, farm worker commutes and housing, transportation of product from store to consumer, consumer use of product (cooking with seeds), and packaging disposal.²⁸

Carbon Cloud further reports that sunflower seed produced in Portugal has a carbon footprint of 0.98 kg of CO₂e per kg of seed.

Of the total carbon footprint, 29% is attributable to energy/fuel powering farm machinery used for irrigation, fertilization, and harvesting, while another 33% is attributable to nitrous oxides released by bacteria in the soil when digesting fertilizers and crop remnants.⁶

Now, compare these numbers to the carbon footprints of other snack nuts and seeds, published by Carbon Cloud:

• Almonds: 2.91 kg of CO₂e per kg¹
• Cashews: 36.7 kg CO₂e per kg⁹
• Chia Seeds: 1.20 kg of CO₂e per kg¹⁰
• Flax Seeds: 6.69 kg of CO₂e per kg⁴
• Peanuts: 1.57 kg of CO₂e per kg²¹
• Pecans: 4.19 kg of CO₂e per kg⁵
• Walnuts: 4.19 kg of CO₂e per kg³

Additionally, many parts of the sunflower plant can be used to create eco-friendly alternative products such as biogas, biodiesel, and bioplastic, making it apparent that sunflower seeds are a fairly sustainable snack option.²⁶

Tips For Reducing the Carbon Footprint of Sunflower Seeds

The carbon footprint of sunflower seeds is relatively low compared to many alternative snack foods, but there is always room for improvement in any product footprint.

Here are some suggestions for what consumers can do to lessen the product’s carbon footprint:

• Purchase sunflower seeds grown and processed within the United States.
• Choose organic sunflower seeds raised without pesticides.
• Select seeds that are less processed (Ex. unroasted, unsalted, unflavored, etc.)
• Grow sunflower seeds at home and eliminate the packaging, transportation, and uncertainty!

Sunflower Seed Benefits

There are many benefits of sunflower seeds, many of which are health-related! This section discusses the many reasons why sunflower seeds can be an important part of every person’s diet.

Among the multitude of sunflower seed benefits, these are some of the best:^18,20,24

• Sunflower seeds are a heart healthy snack! Filled with healthy, unsaturated fats, sunflower seeds have been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease.
• Sunflower seeds give you energy! With six grams of protein, sunflower seeds help deliver extended energy.
• Sunflower seeds help maintain healthy weights. The combination of protein and 2.5 grams of fiber help individuals feel full longer.
• Sunflower seeds are rich in vitamins and minerals. Magnesium, zinc, selenium, and folate are just a few of the health-enhancing minerals that sunflower seeds have in abundance. Sunflower seeds are also rich in vitamins E and B6.
• Sunflower seeds are a source of antioxidants. Antioxidants in sunflower seeds make them a weapon against high cholesterol and blood pressure, diabetes, and cancer.
• Sunflower seeds fit vegetarian and vegan diets. Individuals who avoid animal-derived food products can obtain vital nutrients from eating sunflower seeds.
• Sunflower seeds are gluten-free and low FODMAP. Some people have restricted diets for various health reasons, and sunflower seeds can be incorporated into gluten-free diets and low FODMAP diets.
• Sunflower seeds are fairly gentle on the environment. With a relatively low water footprint and carbon footprint, sunflower seeds are an eco-friendly snack option.
• Sunflower seeds are relatively inexpensive. Compared to many other seed and nut snacks, sunflower seeds are extremely affordable.
• Sunflower seeds are convenient and versatile. It is very easy to eat sunflower seeds as a standalone snack, but they can also be added to salads, breads, soups, and more for extra flavor!

How To Plant Sunflower Seeds

Learning how to plant sunflower seeds is fairly simple and a vastly rewarding experience! Sunflowers are beautiful, they attract pollinators, they are useful, they are native to the United States, and they are FUN!

Sunflowers are also a great intro to gardening for children!

Before planting any flower, herb, or crop, it is important to take a look at the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map to get familiar with local gardening zones. This information will determine when and how the sunflower seeds are planted as colder growing zones may require later planting or indoor planting.

The next step is to choose the type of sunflowers to plant. Confection sunflowers are the type that produce the palatable seeds seen on grocery store shelves, while oilseed varieties are more commonly used for sunflower oil and bird seed (see WVU Extension “Growing Sunflowers for Beginners”).

After choosing the type of sunflowers, choose the growing area and test the soil. Choose a location that is protected against grazing deer that will feed on young plants.

Sunflowers prefer sunny spots with well-draining soil that has a neutral pH. Amend the soil with compost if needed.¹³

Sunflower plants can be started indoors or outdoors depending on weather patterns and gardener preference. In cooler climates with late frosts, gardeners may choose to start their plants indoors to get a jump start on the growing season.

Another consideration for whether to start plants outdoors is whether there are large squirrel and bird populations in the area, as these animals are fond of sunflower seeds and quick to dig them up.¹³

When starting sunflower seeds outdoors, or direct seeding, wait until after the last frost, usually sometime between mid-April and the end of May, when soil temperature is a minimum of 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Plant the seeds at least one inch and up to two inches deep, spaced 6 to 12 inches apart from one another.

When planting a large area, be sure to allow two to three feet between rows. As seedlings grow, plants may need to be thinned out.

Water regularly when the plant is young, and use organic fertilizer, if desired.^13,22,23

When starting sunflower seeds indoors, start the seeds in small pots (biodegradable recommended) in a warm area that receives several hours of indirect sunlight. Use a starting mix and keep the soil moist until germination.

Seeds should germinate in about a week. When the seedlings are a few inches tall and have their first leaves, they are ready to be transplanted.

They should be acclimated to the outdoors by spending increasing amounts of time outdoors over the course of several days. Biodegradable pots can be placed directly into the ground, or seedlings can be gently removed from small pots.

Young plants should be watered and fertilized.^13,17 Keep the sunflower bed weeded when the plants are young and ensure that the ground stays moist.

Once established, weeding should not be required, and the sunflowers will only need a couple of inches of water per week. Look for them to mature in about three months!^17,22

How To Harvest Sunflower Seeds

Harvesting sunflower seeds can be a fun experience for the whole family! When sunflower plants have reached maturity, at around three months, they should be ready to harvest.

At this point, the heads of the flowers begin to droop, and the back of the flower head turns brown. The petals soon begin to fall off.

As this happens, the seeds begin to ripen and become prime feed for squirrels and birds, so be sure to harvest the desired amount of seed before the local wildlife does.

See the following tips for how to harvest sunflower seeds most efficiently:^19,25

• Watch for the flower head to droop and turn brown and the seed to darken.
• At this point, protect the flower heads from wildlife by covering them with mesh, muslin, paper bags, cheesecloth, and the like. The flower heads can also be cut a few inches down the stem and brought inside to hang dry.
• Wait a few weeks for the seeds to dry thoroughly and then cut off the flower heads saving a few inches of stem.
• Prepare a large bucket to catch the seed, and use a brush, hand, or another flower head to scrape the seeds and dislodge them.
• Rinse the seeds and allow them to dry completely on a paper towel or cloth.
• Enjoy the seeds raw or roasted, or store the seeds in an airtight container for next growing season!

What Is a Carbon Footprint?

Many people have wondered “What is a carbon footprint?” With a global push to increase awareness of climate change and actively reduce the environmental impact of human activity, it is very important to flesh this question out fully.

First, it is necessary to understand that human behavior works to the detriment of the environment in many ways: deforestation, ecosystem disruption, water eutrophication, habitat destruction, plastic and chemical pollution, natural resource depletion, species endangerment, and so forth.^14,16 An article by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health outlines how these environmental impacts further translate into health risks and disease for millions of people around the world, making this a many-faceted problem.¹⁵

To combat the dangers of human activity, there must be an understanding of which activities and behaviors pose the greatest threat to the earth. Carbon footprint is perhaps the metric that is easiest to measure and report on.

Carbon footprint analysis provides information on the amount of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere through human activity.⁷

Greenhouse gases (GHGs) are common gases that are emitted at higher rates through human activity such as industry and travel. These gases build up in the atmosphere, where they trap heat, creating “The Greenhouse Effect.”

Over time, this warming phenomenon results in global climate change, which creates a cascade of ramifications for the earth (see the “Basics of Climate Change”). Carbon footprint measurement can look at the impact of a single individual, a company, a city, a country, or any other conceivable source of emissions to determine that source’s contribution to global warming.

While carbon dioxide (CO₂), is the most recognizable and abundant greenhouse gas, it is far from the most potent, and other GHGs, such as nitrous oxide (N₂O), methane (CH₄), and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are also measured.⁸ The GHGs are each weighted according to their Global Warming Potentials (GWP), and they are reported as carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂e).

A life cycle analysis of a product should examine all scopes of GHG emissions: those generated as a prerequisite to the product (Scope 3 upstream), those generated directly by production (Scope 1), those generated by purchased electricity (Scope 2), and those generated by use of the product (Scope 3 downstream). The EPA provides information about the three scopes of emissions in “Scope 1 and Scope 2 Inventory Guidance” and “Scope 3 Inventory Guidance.”

The following table provides an idea of what the three scopes of emissions might look like for sunflower seed production:

Scopes 1, 2, and 3 Emissions Categories for Sunflower Seeds
Scope 1	Scope 2	Scope 3 (Upstream)	Scope 3 (Downstream)
Emissions from fuel combustion by farm machinery Emissions from chemical applications to crops Emissions from bacterial decomposition of fertilizers and crop residue	Emissions from purchased electricity to operate facilities and equipment	Emissions from imported seed transport Emissions from fertilizer manufacture and transport Emissions from chemical pesticide manufacture and transport, if used	Emissions from transport of seed to processor (if not processed on site) Emissions from packaging production Emissions from transport of finished product to retail Emissions from transport of sold product to consumer Emissions from consumer disposal of packaging

* These are examples and not intended to constitute a comprehensive list.

Sunflower seeds are an excellent source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that can help keep the human body functioning at its best. Sunflower plants are also used to produce the popular sunflower oil and sunflower butter, healthy alternatives for individuals with sensitivities or allergies to other products.

The best news is that the carbon footprint of sunflower seeds is relatively low, particularly when compared to snack nuts, and there is room for further improvement in the future.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Carbon Footprint of Sunflower Seeds