Life Cycle Assessments

• What are the four main stages of a life cycle assessment?

  Extracting and processing raw materials, manufacturing and packaging, using the product, and disposing of it
• What is the main focus of life cycle assessments?

  To analyze the different stages in a product's life cycle and assess its environmental impact
• Why is it important to understand the stages of a life cycle assessment rather than just memorizing facts?

  So that you can apply that logic to compare different products
• How does extracting resources from nature impact the local environment?

  It often directly damages the local environment, such as cutting down forests or digging mines
• What are some indirect environmental damages caused by processing materials?

  High energy requirements and the release of pollutants
• What are the three main problems associated with manufacturing and packaging?

  Energy use, release of pollution, and production of waste products
• How can waste products from manufacturing sometimes be utilized?

  They can sometimes be used as raw materials for something else
• What two factors should be considered when assessing the impact of using a product?

  The damage it does during its lifetime and how long the product is used for
• What are the environmental concerns associated with disposing of products in landfill?

  It takes up space that could be used for nature and chemicals might seep into ecosystems
• What are the potential issues with burning waste products for disposal?

  It may release pollutants into the atmosphere
• What is the raw material for plastic bags?

  Crude oil
• How are paper bags made from their raw materials?

  Wood is pulped, broken up, and soaked
• How do the reuse capabilities of plastic bags compare to paper bags?

  Plastic bags can be reused multiple times, while paper bags are generally single-use
• What is a significant environmental drawback of plastic bags?

  They are not biodegradable and can harm wildlife
• Why are paper bags considered better for disposal compared to plastic bags?

  They are biodegradable and non-toxic
• What is a limitation of life cycle assessments regarding product steps?

  It can be almost impossible to quantify all the different steps involved
• Why is it difficult to assess the harm of each step in a life cycle assessment?

  Because comparing different types of pollutants and their impacts is complex
• How can life cycle assessments be manipulated?

  They can be designed to support a particular company for positive advertising
• What is a common challenge in life cycle assessments?

  The complexity of calculations involved