© Loughborough University, 2004 Life Cycle Assessment A process to evaluate the environmental burdens associated with a product by identifying and quantifying energy and materials used and wastes released into the environment; to assess the impact of those energy and material uses and releases to the environment; and to identify and evaluate opportunities to affect environmental improvements. (SETAC, 1991)

© Loughborough University, 2004 What is LCA? Enables estimation of cumulative environmental impacts results from all stages of the product life cycle A cradle-to-grave approach for assessing the environmental aspects and potential impacts associated with a product by; –compiling an inventory of relevant inputs and outputs of a system –evaluating the potential environmental impacts associated with these inputs and outputs –interpreting the results of the inventory and impact phases in relation to the objectives of the study. (ISO 14040)

© Loughborough University, 2004 Raw Materials Materials Processing Product Manufacture Retail Outlets Product Use and Service Reuse - Recycling Disposal Materials Energy Transport Water Effluents Air Emissions Solid Wastes Other Releases Usable Products Areas covered by LCA

T-shirt example (cotton) Growing Harvesting Spinning Weaving/knitting Bleaching, dyeing, washing and treatment Cutting and sewing Use - reuse Disposal - recycling Use and maintenance Disposal/end of life Processing of materials Production Extraction of materials

© Loughborough University, 2004 Objectives of LCA To provide a complete a picture as possible of the interactions of an activity with the environment. To contribute to the understanding of the overall and interdependent nature of the environmental consequences of human activities. To provide decision makers with information which defines the environmental effects of these activities and identifies opportunities for environmental improvements

© Loughborough University, 2004 LCA Applications External uses: Marketing or support for specific environmental claims. Labelling. Public education and communication. Policy making. Supporting the establishment of purchasing procedures

© Loughborough University, 2004 LCA Applications Internal uses: Strategic planning. Product & process design, improvements & optimisation. Identifying environmental improvement opportunities. Support the establishment of purchasing procedures or specifications. Environmental auditing & waste minimisation

© Loughborough University, 2004 assembly poly- aluminium extrusion + transport disposal in municipal waste disposal of in org. waste use paper duction filter pro- sheet steel stamping forming glass forming filters + coffee coffee roasting packaging water injection moulding beanstyrene electricity Simplified Process Tree for a Coffee Machine

© Loughborough University, 2004 assembly poly- aluminium extrusion + transport disposal in municipal waste disposal of in org. waste use paper duction filter pro- sheet steel stamping forming glass forming filters + coffee coffee roasting packaging water injection moulding beanstyrene electricity Process Tree:Amounts & Assumptions 7.3 kg1 kg0.1 kg0.3 kg0.4 kg White boxes are not included in the inventory 375 kWh

© Loughborough University, 2004 Resource depletion Green house effect Depletion of ozone layer Source: Use of copper, zinc, oil etc. Effect: Reduction of possibilities for future generations Source: Combustion (transport, energy etc.) Effect: Increase in temperature, desert formation etc. Source: CFC and HCFC from foam and coolants Effect: UV radiation, skin cancer etc. Global Impact Categories

© Loughborough University, 2004 Regional Impact Categories Persistent toxicity Acidification Ozone formation Eutrofication Source: Transport, energy, industry (Hydrocarbons etc.) Effect: Ozone formation (Damage of lung tissue etc. ) Source: Transport, energy, agriculture Effect: Damage to woodlands, lakes and buildings (SOx, NOx, NH3 ) Source: Fertilisers, waste water, transport and energy Effect: Eutrophication ( Damage to plants and fish) Source: Waste water, incineration, industry, ships etc. Effect: Accumulation: Chronic damage to ecosystems and organisms

© Loughborough University, 2004 The paper bag causes more winter smog and acidification, but scores better on the other environmental effects. The classification does not reveal which is the better bag. What is missing is the mutual weighting of the effects. Plastic versus Paper Bag

© Loughborough University, 2004 Source: Electrolux 1998 Calculated environmental impacts across the products life cycle identifies and quantifies energy & materials used, waste emissions, etc identifies improvement potentials

© Loughborough University, 2004 LCA of washing machines 98%2% Water Consumption 5% 87% 1% 7% Solid Waste 96% 1% 4%Water Pollution 98% 2%Air Pollution 96% 4% Energy DisposalUseDistributionProduction

© Loughborough University, 2004 LCA of Bang & Olufsen TV Extraction, processing, and production of raw materials. Manufacturing: processes at Bang & Olufsen & subcontractors. Use: amount of electricity used Disposal Lifespan 10 yrs Use 6 hrs day Standby 18 hrs day