7.11.2023
·
3 min read
Key Summary
A Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) evaluates the environmental impact of a product or material throughout its entire life cycle, from raw material extraction to disposal or recycling. In construction and manufacturing, it helps identify where resources are used most intensively and where emissions or waste can be reduced. By understanding these impacts, companies can make data-driven decisions to design more sustainable products and processes.
The first step is to define the goal of the study and identify the target audience.
In the example of bricks, the goal might be to analyze the environmental impact of extracting raw materials, manufacturing, transporting, and using bricks in construction.
This helps manufacturers and consumers make more environmentally informed decisions.
In this phase, all inputs and outputs of the product are recorded throughout its entire life cycle, including the materials and energy required, as well as the waste and emissions generated. The data helps to quantify overall resource use and material requirements.
In this step, emissions are categorized by environmental impact and standardized for comparison.
Data from the LCI phase is linked to specific effects such as energy use, air pollution, and waste generation.
This helps identify which stages contribute most to the overall impact.
In the final phase, results are reviewed to ensure alignment with the initial objectives.
The data is checked for completeness and consistency, highlighting both positive and negative findings.
For example, the LCIA of the brick may reveal that raw material extraction and manufacturing contribute most to its footprint, guiding manufacturers toward targeted improvements.
The purpose of an LCA is to reduce the overall environmental impact of a product rather than shifting the burden from one stage to another. It provides a clear view of where improvements can be made across the entire life cycle, helping manufacturers focus their efforts on areas that truly lower the total environmental footprint.
