Life cycle assessment comparison

S. Hakala, Y. Virtanen, K. Meinander and T. Tanner, Life-cycle Assessment, Comparison of Biopolymer and Traditional Diaper Systems, Technical Research Centre of Finland (VTT), Jyvaskyla, Finland, 1997. 

It is sometimes assumed in that polymers from renewable resources are by definition environmentally friendly , or in modern parlance, sustainable . One definition of sustainable suggests that the development of new products for the benefit of society should not have an unacceptable effect on resource depletion and environmental pollution. However, unacceptable is a relative term and invites comparison of one material with another by life-cycle assessment (LCA). Companies engaged in the development of degradable polymers from renewable resources have initiated life-cycle assessment comparisons of their products with the commodity synthetic polymers, notably polyethylene. It has not so far been shown unambiguously that bio-based polymers are more environmentally sustainable than the present range of commodity polymers . This results from the same reason that led to concern in the 1980s namely lack of consistency and uniformity of the assumptions made. In some cases they actually contradict one another. 

Huang, H. (2008) Life cycle assessment comparison between Pepfactant and chemical surfactant production. Master Thesis, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, China. 

FIGURE 16.1 Comparison of life cycle assessment and life cycle cost calculations. The result of LCA is (weighted) emissions and the present value of investment and operating costs, e.g,. in Euros. Note that in LCA calculations the present value coefficient is I, but the present value of LCC is always affected by interest rate and the length of the period. ... 

Cederberg, C. and Mattsson, B. (2000). Life cycle assessment of milk production—A comparison of conventional and organic farming. /. Cleaner Prod. 8,49-60. 

Cederberg C, Mattsson B. Life Cycle Assessment of Milk Production - a Comparison of Conventional and Organic Farming. Journal of Cleaner Production. 2000 8(1) 49-60. 

Many site-specific characteristics have an impact on vitrification technologies. One critical aspect of any thermal technology is the water content of the waste. Water dilutes feed material, requires energy to drive off, and physically limits the feed rate of waste. Feed preparation is another variable, which differs with the technology and with site-specific characteristics. Many estimates do not take into account site preparation and waste disposal costs. Only complete treatment life-cycle assessments can provide reliable comparison data, and such studies are, by definition, highly site and waste specific (D18248T, p. 55). 

Stoklosa, M. 2006. The use of life cycle assessment (LCA) for ecological comparison of isolation protocols of organic compounds from aquatic samples (in Polish). MSc thesis, Gdansk University of Technology. 

Another method for conducting an LCI is the equipment-scale approach, most frequently used in a gate-to-gate analysis of various processes. Full life-cycle assessments do not often include this LCI approach even though the most accurate data can be obtained from this method. The drawback of using this method is that it is very time and resource intensive. Another issue with this LCI approach is that a comparison with other products is relatively difficult to obtain in as... 

Song, H.-S. and Hyun, J.C., A study on the comparison of the various waste management scenarios for Pet bottles using life-cycle assessment (LCA) methodology, Resources, Conserv. Recycl. 27, 267-284, 1999. 

This report discusses the options for feedstock recycling of plastics waste, including aspects of the environmental and economic pros and cons relating to feedstock recycling in comparison with incineration or mechanical recycling of municipal solid waste, based on a number of life cycle assessments. Particular reference is made to the experience of the TNO-CML Centre of Chain Analysis.485 refs. 

Assessing the environmental impact of textiles allows both informed consumer choice and useful comparison of different materials as well as processing methods in engineering applications. Applying life cycle assessment (LCA) to production processes can identify hotspots contributing disproportionaUy to environmental impact, elucidate trade-offs between production systems and serve as a decision support tool to producers and policymakers. 

An established instrument for ecological evaluation of processes or products is life-cycle-assessment, which is particularly useful for ecological comparison and optimization of processes and products. A consequent realization of the mentioned aspects and challenges will lead to a better and more sustainable situation on our planet for both nature and mankind. 

Life cycle assessments were applied to analyse the degree of ecological damage caused by the production and disposal of loose fills made out of Mater-Bi pellets in comparison to those made of expanded polystyrene. 

Life cycle assessment (LCA) is the preeminent method for the estimation of the complete carbon and water footprints associated with products, including energy resources. LCA is a system-level approach that accounts for all such activities from cradle to grave , with well-defined guidelines specified by ISO [1]. In addition to permitting environmental comparisons of alternative energy sources, LCA facilitates the elucidation of the relative environmental impacts of particular operations over the life cycle of the product under investigation. 

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