Life Cycle Analysis

What is a Life Cycle Analysis? A method in which the energy and raw material consumption, different types of emissions and other factors related to a product are being identified over the products entire life cycle from an environmental point of view. Life-Cycle Analysis attempts to measure the “cradle-to-grave” impact on the ecosystem.

What is a Life Cycle Analysis? Life Cycle Studies often focus on a single issue, such as… 1. Energy Balance 2. Greenhouse Gas Emissions 3. Carbon Produced 4. Water Use

Life Cycle Analysis Typically a model with data collection and weighted formulas 1. Energy embodied in a single product; 2. Green house gasses produced per unit product 3. Tons of carbon produced per volume of product 4. Volume of water consumed per mass of product

Option 1: Option 1: Incineration of 1 kg plastic material Source: K. Krekeler et al., Kunstsoffe, 55/10, pp. 758, 1965 Data Collection Source: Ministry of Environment of Japan, Guidelines, 2004 Energy generated: PS – 9,604 kcal/kg PVC – 4,300 kcal/kg PE – 11,140 kcal/kg Emission: 2,640 g CO 2 /kg

Qualitative Life Cycle Analysis Identifying the inputs and outputs for each of the stages in the product’s life cycle

Potential Stages of the Qualitative Life Cycle Analysis Design ◦A product’s initial design affects each stage of its life cycle, and therefore, its impact on our environment. ◦For example, products designed to be reused instead of thrown out prevent waste and conserve natural resources.

Potential Stages of the Qualitative Life Cycle Analysis Materials Acquisition ◦Raw materials issues  “Virgin ” materials, such as trees or iron ore, are directly harvested or mined from the Earth, which causes climate change, uses large amounts of energy, and depletes our natural resources.  recycled or recovered materials - Making new products from materials that were used in another product  For example, using recycled steel products instead of mining virgin iron ore saves 1,400 pounds of coal, 120 pounds of limestone, and enough energy to power more than 18 million homes for one year!

Potential Stages of the Qualitative Life Cycle Analysis Materials Processing ◦Once materials are extracted from the Earth, they must be converted into a form that can be used to make products. ◦For example, trees contribute the wood from which paper is made. The wood is made into paper from several different manufacturing processes. Each separate process creates waste and consumes energy.

Potential Stages of the Qualitative Life Cycle Analysis Manufacturing ◦Products are made in factories that use a great deal of energy. ◦Manufacturing processes also create waste and often contribute to global climate change.

Potential Stages of the Qualitative Life Cycle Analysis Packaging ◦Many products are packaged in paper or plastic, which also undergo separate manufacturing processes that use energy and consume natural resources. ◦Packaging can serve several important functions, such as preventing tampering, providing information, and preserving hygienic integrity and freshness ◦Packaging must be analyzed to reduce excessiveness and energy/material waste.

Potential Stages of the Qualitative Life Cycle Analysis Distribution ◦Manufactured products are transported in trucks, planes, trains, and ships to different locations where they are sold. ◦Materials and parts used to make products are also transported to different places at earlier stages in the life cycle. ◦All of these forms of transportation use energy and generate greenhouse gases, which contribute to global climate change.

Potential Stages of the Qualitative Life Cycle Analysis Use ◦The way products are used impacts our environment. ◦Reusable, durable, and recyclable products conserve natural resources, use less energy, and create less waste than disposable, single- use products. ◦Properly caring for products also increases their useful life.

Potential Stages of the Qualitative Life Cycle Analysis Reuse/Recycling: ◦Recycling or remanufacturing products into new ones saves energy and reduces the amount of raw materials that have to be used in the manufacturing process. ◦When products are reused or recycled, their life does not end; instead, it becomes a continuous cycle.

Potential Stages of the Qualitative Life Cycle Analysis Disposal ◦Throwing products in the trash ends their useful life. ◦We simply lose these valuable resources outright. ◦If we recycled all our morning newspapers, we could keep 6 million tons of waste out of landfills.

Qualitative Life Cycle Analysis You are going to do a qualitative Life Cycle Analysis for a product You are going to focus on CO 2 emissions You are going use the stages. However, note the following: ◦We will not be doing the design stage ◦Materials Acquisition and Materials Processing can be combined ◦Distribution – do end product distribution ◦Disposal – include distribution