Life Cycle Assessment

A process to evaluate the environmental burdens associated with a product by identifying and quantifying energy and materials used and wastes released into the environment; to assess the impact of those energy and material uses and releases to the environment; and to identify and evaluate opportunities to affect environmental improvements. (SETAC, 1991)

Loughborough University, 2004

What is LCA?
Enables estimation of cumulative environmental impacts results from all stages of the product life cycle A cradle-to-grave approach for assessing the environmental aspects and potential impacts associated with a product by; compiling an inventory of relevant inputs and outputs of a system evaluating the potential environmental impacts associated with these inputs and outputs interpreting the results of the inventory and impact phases in relation to the objectives of the study. (ISO 14040)

Loughborough University, 2004

Areas covered by LCA

Raw Materials Materials Processing Water Effluents Air Emissions Product Manufacture Solid Wastes Retail Outlets

Materials Energy

Transport

Other Releases
Usable Products

Product Use and Service

Reuse - Recycling

Disposal

Loughborough University, 2004

T-shirt example (cotton)

Growing Harvesting Spinning Weaving/knitting Bleaching, dyeing, washing and treatment Cutting and sewing Use - reuse Disposal - recycling
Extraction of materials
Processing of materials Production Use and maintenance Disposal/end of life

Objectives of LCA
To provide a complete a picture as possible of the interactions of an activity with the environment. To contribute to the understanding of the overall and interdependent nature of the environmental consequences of human activities. To provide decision makers with information which defines the environmental effects of these activities and identifies opportunities for environmental improvements
Loughborough University, 2004

LCA Applications
External uses: Marketing or support for specific environmental claims. Labelling. Public education and communication. Policy making. Supporting the establishment of purchasing procedures

Loughborough University, 2004

LCA Applications
Internal uses: Strategic planning. Product & process design, improvements & optimisation. Identifying environmental improvement opportunities. Support the establishment of purchasing procedures or specifications. Environmental auditing & waste minimisation

Loughborough University, 2004

Simplified Process Tree for a Coffee Machine

coffee bean roasting paper filter production polystyrene aluminium extrusion sheet steel glass forming

injection moulding

stamping forming

assembly + transport packaging electricity use

water
disposal of filters + coffee in org. waste
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disposal in municipal waste

Process Tree:Amounts & Assumptions

7.3 kg 1 kg 0.1 kg 0.3 kg 0.4 kg

coffee bean roasting

paper filter production

polystyrene

aluminium extrusion

sheet steel

glass forming

injection moulding

stamping forming

assembly + transport packaging use

375 kWh

electricity

water
disposal of filters + coffee in org. waste disposal in municipal waste

White boxes are not included in the inventory

Loughborough University, 2004

Global Impact Categories

Source: Use of copper, zinc, oil etc. Effect: Reduction of possibilities for future generations
Resource depletion

Green house effect

Source: Combustion (transport, energy etc.) Effect: Increase in temperature, desert formation etc.

Depletion of ozone layer

Source: CFC and HCFC from foam and coolants Effect: UV radiation, skin cancer etc.

Loughborough University, 2004

Regional Impact Categories

Source: Transport, energy, industry (Hydrocarbons etc.) Effect: Ozone formation (Damage of lung tissue etc. ) Source: Transport, energy, agriculture Effect: Damage to woodlands, lakes and buildings (SOx, NOx, NH3 )
Acidification

Ozone formation

Eutrofication

Source: Fertilisers, waste water, transport and energy Effect: Eutrophication (Damage to plants and fish) Source: Waste water, incineration, industry, ships etc. Effect: Accumulation: Chronic damage to ecosystems and organisms

Persistent toxicity

Loughborough University, 2004

Plastic versus Paper Bag

Classificat ion / Charact erisat ion 10 0% 90 % 80 % 70 % 60 % 50 % 40 % 30 % 20 % 10 % 0%
Paper bag LDPE bag

effect greenho use

deplet ion ozone layer

acidification

heavy metals carcinogens wint er smog summer smog eutrop hicat ion

pest icides

The paper bag causes more winter smog and acidification, but scores better on the other environmental effects. The classification does not reveal which is the better bag. What is missing is the mutual weighting of the effects.
Loughborough University, 2004

Source: Electrolux 1998

Calculated environmental impacts across the products life cycle identifies and quantifies energy & materials used, waste emissions, etc identifies improvement potentials

Loughborough University, 2004

LCA of washing machines

Production Distribution Energy Air Pollution Water Pollution Solid Waste Use 96% 98% 1% 1% 96% 87% 98% Disposal

4%
2% 4% 7% 2%

5%

Water Consumption

Loughborough University, 2004

LCA of Bang & Olufsen TV

Extraction, processing, and production of raw materials. Manufacturing: processes at Bang & Olufsen & subcontractors.
Lifespan 10 yrs Use 6 hrs day Standby 18 hrs day

Use: amount of electricity used Disposal

Loughborough University, 2004