Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs). 

We think it is safe to assume that you have already heard about them and have a pretty good idea about what they are. 

You might even be considering getting one. 

So let’s go through the ABCs of LCAs. 

What is the point of an LCA? 

Imagine doing very detailed detective work. 

We are talking turning over every stone and investigating every nook and cranny. 

That is what happens in an LCA, where the environmental impact and resource consumption of each distinct part involved in creating and using a product is assessed. 

And yes, as the name suggests, it can cover the entire life cycle of a product, from cradle to grave. 

It can also “only” cover from cradle to gate, meaning the steps from raw material extraction to the product leaving the factory gates. 

No matter what, the point is to help us understand the true (environmental) cost of products, from the fibers in our tees to the buttons on our jeans. 

What goes into an LCA 

As we said, a lot of different aspects and their environmental impact are assessed. 

Examples include: 

• Raw material sourcing: What, where, and how? 

• Manufacturing process: Use of energy, water, chemicals, and so on. 

• Transportation: How, where, and how far? 

• Packaging: Type, waste 

• Use phase: Wash and care (think wash cycle, number of washes, drying, years of usage, etc.) 

• End-of-life: Disposal or recycling? 

You must also consider the impact categories that are relevant for you to measure your impact in. 

Because environmental impact comes in many shapes and sizes. 

There are quite a few it choose from, but some examples include 

• Climate change: Greenhouse gas emissions impacting global warming 

• Ozone depletion: Emissions contributing to the destruction of the ozone layer 

• Land use: Changes in soil quality 

• Ionizing radiation: Damage to human health and ecosystems 

• Ecotoxicity: Impact on freshwater organisms 

• And so on 

Once it is done for one product, you can start over and repeat the process with the next product. 

And the next. And the next. 

Sound extensive? Well, that is because it is.

Let's take a look at some of the pros and cons.

CONS

It sounds good on paper. 

But in reality, it is a complex and very time-consuming process. 

It necessitates a lot of data gathering, access to large databases, and data processing systems. 

In fact, it is so extensive that delimitations are made, which might differ depending on the people carrying them out and the calculations methods used, which can result in lost comparability. 

PROS

The idea of LCAs is to make it possible to compare the impact of products and help consumers to make more informed choices based on that. 

Also, it should enable you as a company to identify areas where you can make the most significant improvements.

So what are your options? 

Though becoming more common, LCAs are not mandatory. 

Still, future legislation might change that – for instance the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation and its Digital Product Passport. 

For that purpose, the PEF (Product Environmental Footprint) could become very relevant. 

PEF is a framework created by the EU as an attempt to standardize LCAs. 

However, if LCAs are too extensive for you (which we definitely understand), there is also the option of carbon accounting. 

Over the next two weeks, we will dive into PEF and carbon accounting to help you choose the approach that is best suited for your wants and needs. 

So stay tuned! 

Or, if you cannot wait, reach out to us now and let’s chat about your options and how we can help.