Environmental Impact of Products

The inventory results should be presented in clear form, how much and what substances from the environment enter the system and how much get out. These results serve for subsequent life cycle impact assessment [48], The aim of the life cycle impact assessment is to measurably compare the environmental impacts of product systems and to compare their severity with new quantifiable variables identified as impact category. The impact categories are areas of specific environmental problems such as global warming, climate changes, acidification, eutrophication, ecotoxicity and others. Already in the phase of definition of the LCA study scope, it is necessary to describe what impact category will be applied and which of their environmental mechanisms will serve as a basis for impact assessment [46],... 

Tukker A, Huppes G, Guinee J, Heijungs R, de Koning A, van Oers L,Suh S, Geerken T, van Holderbeke M, Jansen B, Nielsen P. Environmental Impacts of Products (EI-PRO) - Analysis of the Life Cycle Environmental Impacts Related to the Final Consumption of the EU-25. Spain Communities 2006.139 p. 

Bennet, R.M., R.H. Phipps, and A.M. Strange. 2006. The use of life cycle assessment to compare the environmental impact of production and feeding of conventional and genetically modified maize for broiler production in Argentina. J. Anim. Feed Sci. 15 71-82. 

During process conception, reaction pathways, inherent process safety, general environmental impacts of products, and waste streams are studied, and pollution prevention concepts are formulated. 

United Nations, The Environmental Impacts of Production and Use of Energy, UNEP, Energy Report Series 2-79, Nairobi, 1979 E. J. Hall, Radiation and Life, 2nd ed., Pergamon, Oxford, 1984... 

With regard to the markets of the future, we believe it is important to consider the environmental impact of products. We are convinced that eco-efficient products and processes give our partners and us a competitive edge. 

Compare total environmental impacts of products or activities to guide purchase decisions... 

The Danish minister of environment in 1988 announced that within a few years the manufacture and use of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) products had to be reduced as much as technically and economically possible due to their environmental impacts of production, use, and disposal. This preventive environmental policy was mainly based on the emission of hydrogen chloride and dioxins from waste incineration. A study of the technical, economic, and environmental consequences of a substitution was initiated by the National Agency of Environmental Protection. The goal was to collect background data for the upcoming negotiations between the environmental authorities and PVC-industry and manufacturers of PVC products in Denmark. The environmental assessment focused on PVC and 11 alternative materials, such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephtalate (PET), polystyrene (PS), polyurethane (PUR), synthetic rubbers (EPDM, CR and SBR), paper, impregnated wood, and aluminum. ... 

Another key pillar is the Integrated Product Policy (IPP). IPP aims to reduce the environmental impact of products. Relevant initiatives include pilot projects, the creation of an EU Platform on life cycle assessment (EGA), and product prioritization. 

Process design discussion of the activities of the various sites and divisions highlights the role of life-cycle assessments and product testing in reducing the environmental impact of products and processes. 

The EU is committed to introducing an Integrated Product Policy (IPP [14]) which aims to promote sustainable development by reducing the negative environmental impacts of products throughout their lifecycle from cradle to grave . 

Our actions are part of an ambitious program to valorize all plastic materials at their end of life, to treat all the waste from our industries. This program is based on the study of the impact of polymers, from their produetion to their treatment after use. Each year, PlasticsEurope invests 250,000 euros to update arrd complete the lifecycle analysis of the production of polymers. We share data and collaborate closely with the Joint Research Center of the European Commission which works on calculating the environmental impact of products throughout their lifecycle. 

Epigenetic carcinogen European environmental agency Environmental Impact of Products Epoxide or epoxy... 

Consumers awareness about environmental impacts of products life cycles is being increased by communication of quantitative values on carbon footprint labels, backed by strategies and methods developed for quantifying greenhouse gas emissions of products and services (Tan et al., 2014). 

A comprehensive quantification of these aspects was completed in May 2006 by the European Commission s Joint Research Centre (JRC) and included the Environmental Impact of Products (EIPRO) study (Beton et al., 2011), where the potential environmental impacts of textile products consumed in the EU-27 have been estimated along with their life cycle stages and compared considering indicators identified in the ReCiPe method (Goedkoop et aL, 2008) (Figure 8.1), also broken down by product and fibre types. 

Assessment of the environmental impacts of products on their entire life cycle phases by the concept of Ufe cycle assessment (LCA) is becoming popular and widespread. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has earmarked two important standards pertaining to LCA smdy, ISO 14040 and ISO 14044 (ISO, 2006 ISO, 2006). According to these standards, an LCA smdy should include the following four interconnected steps/phases ... 

Furthermore, for 2020 the EU has committed to cutting its emissions to 20% below 1990 levels for 2050 EU leaders have endorsed the objective of reducing Europe s greenhouse gas emissions by 80—95% compared to 1990 levels. LCA has been developed as a useful tool to evaluate the environmental impacts of products and processes. It is very useful for material selection, representing a very important step to design more sustainable products. Some considerations on composite products must be assumed ... 

Hertwich, E.G., Pease, W.S., Koshland, C.P., 1997. Evaluating the environmental impact of products and production processes a comparison of six methods. The Science of the Total Environment 196, 13—29. 

Consequently, increasing attention is now given to labels granted after certification processes that assess products over their life cycle and considers both social and environmental impacts of production processes. Attempts are also being made to ensure a... 

Eneroth, B., 1984. Hur mater man vackert Grundbok i kvalitativ metod (How to Measure Beautiful Basics of Qualitative Method). Stockholm Akademilitteratur, Stockholm. European Environment Agency, 2014. Environmental Indicator Report 2014. Environmental Impacts of Production-consumption Systems in Europe. Luxembourg. 

Glew, D., Stringer, L.C., Acquaye, A.A., Mcqueen-Mason, S., 2012. How do end of life scenarios influence the environmental impact of product supply chains Comparing biomaterial and petrochemical products. Journal of Cleaner Production 29-30, 122—131. 

Life cycle assessment (LCA) - an environmental management tool for evaluating the environmental impacts of products and services from cradle to grave in their life cycles (Baumann and Cowell 1999)... 

Therefore, the manufacturing industry must consider not only the environmental impact of products during the product design now, but also future technology change and the anticipated market growth in order to qualify claims of sustainability (Kim and Kara 2012 Kim et al. 2012). 

Sengupta D, Hawkins TR, Smith RL. Using national inventories for estimating environmental impacts of products from industrial sectors a case study of ethanol and gasoline. Int J LCA 2015 20 597-607. 

Emerging food technologies such as these, however, are stiU surrounded hy a cloud of skepticism and debate. Many consumers and advocacy groups ai ue that the health safety risks and environmental impact of products such as genetically modified foods have... 

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