Life cycle assessment

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a technique that is used to examine the environmental aspects and potential impacts throughout the life-cycle of the product from raw material acquisition or production of natural resources by the production, use, until its final liquidation.

Analysis of the life cycle consists of the following stages:

• define the purpose and scope,
• identification of aspects that affect the environment,
• assessment of impacts on the environment,
• conclusions concerning the possibility of improvements.

First studies concerning aspects and assessment of potential impacts in the life cycle of the product were conducted in the late sixties and seventies. They concerned the analysis of the efficiency of use of raw materials and energy, a pioneer in this respect was Coca-Cola company.

Main standard associated with the life cycle of the product is ISO 14040 (Environmental Management - Life Cycle Assessment - Principles and structure). Additional details concerning the methods are included in the complementary international standards ISO 14041, ISO 14042, ISO 14043, ISO / TR 14049.

LCA - This is a useful diagnostic tool in the management of environmental sustainability. As a result of LCA, managers identify areas that are the source of the special burdens on the environment or human health. Information from analyzes can be used by enterprise to:

• improve manufacturing and distribution processes,
• product design changes,
• replacement of harmful components.

Benefits and limitations

The benefits of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) include:

• Comprehensive: LCA considers all stages of a product's life cycle, from raw material extraction to disposal, providing a holistic view of its environmental impacts.
• Comparative: LCA allows for the comparison of different products and their environmental impacts, helping companies and consumers make more informed decisions.
• Continuous improvement: LCA can be used to identify areas of a product's life cycle where improvements can be made to reduce its environmental impact.

The limitations of LCA include:

• Data availability: LCA relies on data that may not be readily available or accurate, which can limit its accuracy and reliability.
• Complexity: LCA is a complex process that requires expertise and resources to conduct properly.
• Limited scope: LCA typically focuses on environmental impacts, and may not consider other important factors such as social or economic impacts.
• Uncertainty: LCA is a probabilistic method that is subject to uncertainty, which can affect its results.

Life cycle assessment — recommended articles

Structural productivity — Scenarios of processes in environment — ASTRA analysis — Abatement cost — Environmental audit — Integrated waste management — Value added statement — Quality parameters — Perfect system

References

• Klöpffer, W. (1997). Life cycle assessment. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 4(4), 223-228.