Life-cycle assessment

• What is the main purpose of life-cycle assessments (LCA)?

  To analyze environmental impact of products
• What does a life-cycle assessment analyze?

  Impact of a product on the environment
• What is another name for a life-cycle assessment?

  Life-cycle analysis
• What are the main stages of a life-cycle assessment?

  Obtaining raw materials, manufacturing, using, disposing
• What is considered a raw material?

  Basic material for making goods
• What is the impact of obtaining raw materials?

  It uses up limited resources and damages habitats
• What is a limited resource?

  A resource that is not easily replenished
• What are some activities that can damage habitats?

  Quarrying, mining, and felling trees
• What is the impact of manufacturing products on the environment?

  It uses up land for factories
• How does the use of a product affect the environment?

  It depends on the type of product
• Why does a car have a significant environmental impact?

  It burns fossil fuels, releasing pollutants
• What is the impact of disposal of old products?

  It uses up land for landfill sites
• What is a landfill site?

  A place where refuse is buried underground
• What does recycling involve?

  Reprocessing used materials to make new ones
• What percentage of energy is used in the 'Use' stage of a pillowcase's life-cycle?

  70%
• What is the greatest use of energy in the life-cycle of a pillowcase?

  During its use, likely from washing
• How can energy use for a pillowcase be significantly reduced?

  By drying it outside without ironing
• What are the four main stages of a life-cycle assessment?

  1. Obtaining raw materials
  2. Manufacturing the product
  3. Using and maintaining the product
  4. Disposing of the product
• What are the environmental impacts associated with each stage of a product's life-cycle?

  • Raw materials: Resource depletion, habitat damage
  • Manufacture: Land use, energy consumption
  • Use: Varies by product type, pollution from use
  • Disposal: Landfill use, recycling potential