LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT

DEFINITION This is a comprehensive ecological assessment that identifies the energy, material, and waste flows of a product, and their impact on the environment. This cradle to grave evaluation begins with the design of the product and progresses through the extraction and use of its raw materials, manufacturing or processing with associated waste stream , storage, distribution, use, and its disposal or recycling. The objective is to identify changes, at every stage of the life cycle , that can lead to environmental benefits overall cost savings.

Raw Materials Extraction This is where any product we search for, is extracted generally from the ground and has to undergo some sort of refinement process. What types of product is mined and then processed? -

Material Production The material then goes through the production or refinement process. What types of process can we go through? -

Production of Parts At this stage different components can be manufactured. What are some types of part that can be made? -

Assembly This is where any parts produced will be put together. What are some assemblies made of multi parts? -

Use This is where any manufactured parts and put together assemblies are actually utilised for an every day purpose. What can be the last stages in this life cycle? -

Disposal/recycling This seems to be last stage in the cycle of the components / items that we use. By applying the recycling part, what are we ultimately saving or preserving? -

References: https://promo.gelifesciences.com/gl/BP/UP_art4.html#.VtyB5Y_XLIU http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/life-cycle- assessment.html#ixzz429UhnWyf