Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) Questions and
Answers Verified by Experts
paper bags lots of greenhouse gases
more chemicals used in the production of paper bags than in plastic bags
won't degrade well in modern landfills
can be recycled
use two orders of magnitude more water to produce than plastic bags
10-15% are recycled
cotton bags 170 times to break even with plastic bags for GHG and water
plastic recycled bags need to be used 11 times to break even with regular plastic bags
glass recyclable, but not economically incentivized to recycle it
used for alternate daily cover on top of landfills to reduce air pollution
Life Cycle Assessment compilation and evaluation of inputs, outputs, and environmental
impacts through the full life cycle of a product
, LCA uses product or project development and improvement
strategic planning
public policy making
marketing and eco-declarations
LCA started 1970s to monitor energy use of a product
emissions and raw materials added to LCA later
International Organization of Standards (ISO) creates standards for industry
ISO cert. for LCA
ISO standards have to be purchased, putting a burden on small businesses
how to optimize product life cycle reuse
remanufacture
closed-loop recycling
minimize treatment and disposal
Answers Verified by Experts
paper bags lots of greenhouse gases
more chemicals used in the production of paper bags than in plastic bags
won't degrade well in modern landfills
can be recycled
use two orders of magnitude more water to produce than plastic bags
10-15% are recycled
cotton bags 170 times to break even with plastic bags for GHG and water
plastic recycled bags need to be used 11 times to break even with regular plastic bags
glass recyclable, but not economically incentivized to recycle it
used for alternate daily cover on top of landfills to reduce air pollution
Life Cycle Assessment compilation and evaluation of inputs, outputs, and environmental
impacts through the full life cycle of a product
, LCA uses product or project development and improvement
strategic planning
public policy making
marketing and eco-declarations
LCA started 1970s to monitor energy use of a product
emissions and raw materials added to LCA later
International Organization of Standards (ISO) creates standards for industry
ISO cert. for LCA
ISO standards have to be purchased, putting a burden on small businesses
how to optimize product life cycle reuse
remanufacture
closed-loop recycling
minimize treatment and disposal
