Life-Cycle Analysis (LCA)
Definition
Life-cycle analysis
The evaluation of a product’s environmental impact across five stages: pre-production, production, distribution, use, and disposal.
The Five Stages of Life-Cycle Analysis
- Raw Material Extraction
- Mining, farming, or harvesting of materials (e.g., metals, wood, oil).
- Impact: habitat destruction, soil pollution, energy use.
- Manufacturing and Production
- Materials are refined and assembled into products.
- Impact: high energy consumption, toxic waste, air and water pollution.
- Distribution and Transportation
- Movement of materials and products around the world.
- Impact: carbon emissions from trucks, ships, and planes.
- Use and Maintenance
- How the product is used by the consumer.
- Impact: electricity use, maintenance, emissions (e.g., cars, appliances).
- End-of-Life Disposal
- What happens after the product is no longer useful.
- Impact: landfill waste, recycling challenges, toxic leakage.
Key Considerations in Life-Cycle Analysis
| Factor | Description |
|---|---|
| Global Warming Potential | How much greenhouse gas a product emits across its life (measured in CO₂ equivalent). |
| Air Pollution | Emissions like carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulates. |
| Water & Soil Pollution | Chemical leaks or waste during manufacturing and disposal. |
| Ecotoxicity | Harmful effects on ecosystems and wildlife from toxins. |
| Resource Depletion | Use of non-renewable resources like fossil fuels or rare earth metals. |
Note
LCA is not just about reducing negative impacts, it also identifies opportunities for innovation and sustainable design.
Tip
- When conducting an LCA, always consider the entire life cycle of the product, from raw material extraction to end-of-life disposal.
- This holistic approach ensures a comprehensive understanding of its environmental impact.
Example
Nivea carry out a LCA of the glass vs plastic containers: https://youtu.be/6RNnzfUHwY8?si=DW1Y6ub1mIv61pBr
Challenges and Limitations of Life-Cycle Analysis
- Data Availability
- Accurate LCA requires comprehensive data, which can be difficult to obtain.
- Estimates and assumptions may introduce uncertainty.
- Complexity
- LCA involves analyzing multiple factors across different stages.
- Requires expertise in environmental science and engineering.
- Scope and Boundaries
- Defining the scope of an LCA can be challenging.
- Decisions about what to include or exclude can affect results.
Common Mistake
- Students often overlook the importance of the use and maintenance stage in LCA.
- Remember that a product's environmental impact extends beyond its production and disposal.
Example
- In the automotive industry, LCA is used to compare the environmental impact of electric vehicles (EVs) and traditional gasoline cars.
- While EVs produce fewer emissions during use, their production and battery disposal stages have significant environmental implications.
Self review
Identify three key stages of a product's life cycle and explain how LCA can be used to minimise its environmental impact at each stage.
