Everyday Earth | SMI - Product brochure - Page 11
Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) is a method for
assessing the environmental impact of a
product throughout its entire life cycle,
from raw material extraction to disposal. It
provides a comprehensive overview of the
emissions and environmental costs associated
with each stage of a product’s life, helping
businesses improve sustainability practices.
THE LCA PROCESS
FOLLOWS FIVE
KEY STAGES:
LCA SCOPES:
SMI: EVERYDAY EARTH CATALOGUE
AN OVERVIEW OF LIFE CYCLE
ANALYSIS (LCA)
Cradle to gate:
Evaluates the product’s impact up to the
point it leaves the factory. It doesn’t account
for the transportation to the consumer or the
product’s use and disposal.
Cradle to grave:
A more comprehensive analysis, including
transportation, use, retail, and waste
disposal, giving a fuller picture of the
product’s environmental impact.
RAW MATERIAL EXTRACTION
(CRADLE):
The sourcing of raw materials needed for the
product.
MANUFACTURING & PROCESSING:
The production and processing of materials
into 昀椀nished products.
TRANSPORTATION:
The transportation of materials and products
throughout the supply chain.
Did You Know? EN15804+A2 now requires
a cradle-to-grave approach for building
products.
While Cradle to Gate is useful when data
beyond the factory gate is unavailable,
Cradle to Grave is considered the more
complete assessment.
USAGE & RETAIL:
The product’s use by the consumer and its
availability for purchase.
WASTE DISPOSAL (GRAVE):
The end-of-life phase where the product is
either disposed of or recycled.
By conducting an LCA, businesses gain
valuable insights into their products’
environmental impact, which serves as a
baseline for their carbon footprint. This
supports a more sustainable product
development strategy, aligned with industry
standards such as ISO 14040 and ISO 14044.
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