Life cycle inventory distribution

In these databases, chemical products are typically inventoried applying cradle to gate boundaries, which means that only the first half of the life cycle is included from raw material extraction (cradle) until the product is ready to be sold in the market (gate). It is thus necessary to include in the life cycle the distribution, use and end of life as waste. 

LCA covers the entire life cycle including extraction of the raw material, manufacturing, transport and distribution, product use, service and maintenance, and disposal (recycling, incineration or landfill). LCA can be divided into two distinct parts, the life cycle inventory (LCI) and life cycle impact (Shell Bitumen 2003). 

In carrying out life cycle analyses for battery systems, it becomes very quickly apparent that the inventory analyses for certain stages are insignificant compared to others. For example, the emissions associated with distribution and transportation of batteries and the appliances they power are spread out over so many billions of units as to be... 

Life-cycle assessment (LCA) is a three-step design evaluation methodology composed of inventory profile, environmental impact assessment, and improvement analysis (Keoleian and Menerey 1994). The purpose of the inventory step is to examine the resources consumed and wastes generated at all stages of the product life cycle, including raw materials acquisition, manufacturing, distribution, use, repair, reclamation, and waste disposal. 

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