LCAs

• What is a lifecycle assessment?

  It measures a product's environmental impact
• What should you be able to discuss by the end of the video?

  Life cycle assessments for plastic and paper bags
• What is one problem with lifecycle assessments?

  They may require estimates or value judgments
• What are the four main stages of a lifecycle assessment?

  Extraction, manufacturing, usage, disposal
• What is the first stage in a lifecycle assessment?

  Assessing the impact of raw material extraction
• What is required to produce plastics from crude oil?

  Extraction, transportation, refining, and cracking
• What is a significant environmental concern when extracting metals?

  It produces large amounts of toxic waste
• What happens during the manufacturing stage of a product?

  It requires energy and may release waste products
• What must be assessed at the end of a product's life?

  The disposal of harmful chemicals
• What is the main raw material for plastic bags?

  Chemicals from crude oil
• Why are trees considered a renewable resource?

  They can be replanted after harvesting
• What is a significant environmental issue with crude oil extraction?

  It can lead to habitat destruction
• What is a drawback of paper bags compared to plastic bags?

  Paper bags are not as strong
• Why do plastic bags remain in the environment for a long time?

  They are non-biodegradable
• What happens to paper bags when they get wet?

  They break down quickly
• What is a challenge in transporting paper bags compared to plastic bags?

  Paper bags are often heavier
• How do lifecycle assessments measure environmental impact?

  By evaluating water and energy use
• What is a potential bias in lifecycle assessments?

  They may support advertisers' claims
• Where can you find questions on lifecycle assessments?

  In the vision workbook
• What are the stages of a lifecycle assessment?

  1. Assess environmental impact of raw material extraction
  2. Manufacture, package, and transport the product
  3. Assess product impact during its lifetime
  4. Assess disposal at the end of its life
• Compare the environmental impacts of plastic and paper shopping bags.

  • Plastic bags:
  • Made from crude oil (non-renewable)
  • Non-biodegradable, long-lasting in environment
  • Strong, often reused
  • Paper bags:
  • Made from trees (renewable)
  • Biodegradable, breaks down quickly
  • Weaker, often used once