Life Cycle Assessments

• Life cycle assessments (LCAs) are carried out to assess the environmental impact of products at each stage of its 'life'. 
• This process is referred to as a 'cradle to grave' analysis. The stages assessed include:

  1. extracting and processing raw materials

  • using up limited resources
  • damaging habitats

  1. manufacturing and packaging

  • using up land for factories
  • the use of machines and people

  1. use and operation during its lifetime

  • cleaning
  • repair
  • using up limited resources

  1. disposal at the end of its useful life

  • using up land for landfill sites
  • is the product recycled or reused

  
• Life cycle assessment

  An attempt to put a number on the environmental impact of a product
• Stages of a life cycle assessment

  1. Assess environmental impact of extracting and processing raw materials

  2. Assess environmental impact during product lifetime

  3. Assess environmental impact of product disposal
• Raw material extraction and processing

  • Requires large amounts of energy, often from burning fossil fuels
  • Can produce toxic waste products
• Product manufacturing

  • Requires energy
  • May release harmful waste products
• Product disposal

  • Requires energy to transport used products
  • Chemicals in products need to be disposed of carefully