Solution: Life Cycle Assessment

An LCA study consists of four stages:

• Stage 1 Target and Scoping: The target and scope aim to define how large a part of the product life cycle is to be covered in the assessment and what purpose the assessment will serve. Criteria that serve system comparison and specific time periods are described in this step. In summary, this is the stage where it is determined what to include and what not to include in the study.
• Stage 2 LCA Inventory: In this step, the inventory analysis gives a description of the material and energy flows within the product system and in particular its interaction with the environment, raw materials consumed and emissions to the environment.
• Stage 3 Impact Analysis: The details from the inventory analysis serve the impact assessment. Indicative results of all impact categories are detailed in this step; the importance of each impact category is assessed by normalization and finally by weighting. In summary, this is the stage of assessing the impact of inputs and outputs on the environment and human health.
• Stage 4 Improvement Analysis: The interpretation of a life cycle includes critical review, determination of data sensitivity and presentation of results. This means assessing energy and material inputs at each stage, as well as opportunities to reduce environmental impacts.