LIFE CYCLE

ASSESSMENT
ADVANCE PROFESSIONAL PRACTICES
RISHIKA SHEKHAR
AD-VI
 WHAT IS LIFE CYCLE
ASSESSMENT?

Life-cycle assessment (LCA, also known as life-cycle

analysis, Eco balance, and cradle-to-grave analysis)
is a technique to assess environmental impacts
associated with all the stages of a product's life
from raw material extraction through materials
processing, manufacture, distribution, use, repair
and maintenance, and disposal or recycling.
Designers use this process to help critique their
products. LCAs can help avoid a narrow outlook on
environmental concerns by:

• Compiling an inventory of relevant energy and

material inputs and environmental releases;
• Evaluating the potential impacts associated with
identified inputs and releases;
• Interpreting the results to help make a more
informed decision
Product lifecycle assessment
shows true environmental
impact
Recent and continuing global developments have
accentuated the need for manufacturers to become
more environmentally conscious. As markets
develop worldwide, the pressure on natural
resources intensifies as well. This, coupled with
global economic conditions and a consumer-driven
focus on the environment, is causing manufacturers
to consider a bigger-picture approach to
sustainability.
For many manufacturers, following environmentally
sustainable practices is not only the right thing to do
for the future; it has become a business
imperative—part of the “triple bottom line”
comprising economic dimensions (profits) as well as
environmental and social dimensions.
 Life cycle assessments are data-intensive. Data may be required
for such elements as raw materials; chemicals, fertilizers, and
pesticides; energy; physical inputs such as water; emissions into
air, water, and soil; products and co-products (process outputs
that have value and are not treated as wastes, such as industrial
scrap); solid waste; and wastewater. It also is important for
manufacturers to look at their suppliers’ data.
LIFE CYCLE
MINDSET One tool manufacturers can use to analyze their sustainability is
the product life cycle assessment, which the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) considers a cradle-to-grave approach.
This cradle-to-grave approach begins with gathering raw materials
from the earth to create the product and ends when all materials
are returned to the earth. Thinking about the product life cycle
helps manufacturers see the whole picture by actively and
systematically charting each stage of a product’s life
 PRODUCT DESIGNING

Designing products that reduce consumption

across their entire life is the first step in the
cradle-to-grave approach.
The product design stage has the greatest
influence on a product’s life cycle and
environmental impact. That is why
environmental stewardship must be an integral
part of the development process, on par with
cost, quality, and manufacturing.
 RAW MATERIALS

A product’s life cycle begins with the removal

of raw materials and energy sources from the
earth. Therefore, the second step is to
responsibly and sustainably source the raw
materials used in product production.
Harvesting trees and mining nonrenewable
materials are examples of raw-materials
acquisition. Transporting these materials from
the point of acquisition to the point of
processing also is included in this stage.
 MANUFACTURING

During the manufacturing stage, raw materials

are transformed into a product or package.
In sustainable manufacturing, the goal is to
limit the amount of natural resources
consumed, including energy and water, to
make a product while managing the facility and
its equipment to generate the least amount of
waste and greenhouse gas emissions possible.
 TRANSPORTATION

The fourth step involves developing more

efficient ways to pack, handle, and transport
products to reduce distribution’s impact.
Which mode of transportation to use to
distribute products, the fuel efficiency of those
vehicles (and their resulting greenhouse gas
emissions), and the locations of facilities
through which product moves on its way to
market all affect a product’s environmental
footprint.
 USE

This stage focuses on improving product

performance to reduce waste. It is the consumer’s
or user’s actual use, reuse, and maintenance of the
product. Once the product is distributed, all
activities associated with the useful life of the
product are part of this stage. This includes energy
demands and environmental wastes from both
product storage and consumption. Some products
or materials may need to be reconditioned,
repaired, or serviced to maintain their performance.
 DISPOSAL

The disposal stage includes the energy

requirements and environmental wastes
associated with product or material disposal.
A vital part of sustainability performance and a
key component of a product’s life cycle is
reducing the amount of product and product
packaging destined for landfill disposal.
LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT OF A CIGARETTE
 ACQUSITION OF RAW MATERIALS
CO2
EMISSIONS
PAPER PULP AND
SEED FLAX: PAPER
TOBACCO IS PULP IS 90% WOOD.
CULTIVATED AND IT TAKES 1 FULL TREE MORE LOSS OF
HARVESTED: HEAVY TO PRODUCE JUST 300 WILDLIFE
MACHINERY IS USED, CIGARETTES. 6 HABITATION
MASS AMOUNT OF TRILLION ARE
ENERGY IS REQUIRED PRODUCED EACH
YEAR. THAT EQUALS
4.2 MILLION
HECTARES OF
18.6 BILION TREES.
TOBACCO ARMLAND
WORLDWIDE= LOSS
OF WILDLIFE AND
BIODIVERSITY
 Leaves are dried using artificial heat

Then, flue cured followed by fire cured

Moisturized again to prevent cracking

PRODUCTION ON
THE FARM AND Weighed. Graded. And inspected by government official, then
auctioned off to the tobacco company
MANUFACTURING
IN THE FACTORY Once sold and shipped to the factory, the tobacco is then
chemically treated to enhance flavor and proper flammability

The it is aged for up to 3 years to enhance more flavour

Once rolled. Cut. Blended, the cigarettes are sealed in a plastic

cellophane ad a cardboard container.
ENVIRONMENTAL
IMPACTS
During these steps, mass amounts of energy
are used:
• Industrial farming equipment=
CO2(outputs)
• Transportation between farm, treatment
center, buyers factory, then to the retailer=
CO2 outputs
• Chemical treatment factory outputs
thousands, even millions of tons of
hazardous pollutants
• Blending, aging, curing= 3-5 years process
TRANSPORTATION

TRANSPORTATION BETWEEN FARM, USUALLY HANDLED BY TRANSPORT TRUCKS

TREATMENT CENTER, BUYERS FACTORY, FOR DOMESTIC USE, BUT FOR IMPORTING
THEN TO THE RETAILER= CO2 OUTPUTS AND EXPORTING NATIONALLY, IT IS
USUALLY SHIPPED BY FREIGHT CONTAINER
BOATS
 DISEASES:

Coronary heart disease

Emphysema
USE
Lung disease
Lung cancer
Stroke

AVERAGE RETAIL COST FOR 25

POLLUTANTS CIGARETTES- $10.14
PRODUCED:
WHILE BURNING. SMOKE POLLUTES
USERS LUNGS AND THE
• Carbon Monoxide SURROUNDING ENVIRONMENT.
• Benzene
• Hydro Carbonate
 Only 15% of butts end up in a designated
waste container, remaining 85% are
flicked into our environment.

Worldwide, it is estimated that 1.69 billion

pounds of cigarette butts end up as waste
each year.
DISPOSAL
Cigarette butts are the most common
toxic waste that are found in clean-ups.

The toxic chemicals in the cigarette butts

are a threat to our aquatic Eco systems in
particular.
 BIODEGRADABLE FILTERS

FINES FOR LITTERING

SOLUTIONS HIGHER RETAIL PRICES

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION

BUY-BACK PROGRAMS
 The assessment can assist manufacturers on the road
to sustainability by helping them to understand the
Additional human health and environmental impacts of the
products manufactured. This technique involves:
Benefits of a
Product Life Cycle
Assessment Compiling an inventory of relevant material and
energy inputs and releases

Evaluating potential environmental impacts

associated with inputs and releases

Interpreting the results to help product purchasers to

make informed decisions