An Introduction to Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) and Life Cycle Thinking (LCT)

1. An Introduction to Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) and Life Cycle Thinking (LCT) Adam de Eyto-PhD, BDes (Hons) Industrial Design Lecturer/Sustainable Design Researcher

2. Source: Dassault Systèmes -SolidWorks Corp. An Introduction to LCA-RX3 0006.0003.2011

3. Simple LCA (Life Cycle Analysis) Source: Bournemouth University SPD An Introduction to LCA-RX3 0006.0003.2011 An Introduction to LCA 0020.0003.2010

4. What is LCA? • A key quantitative environmental tool. • Analyses product impact across its entire life cycle • Materials abstraction • Manufacturing • Distribution • Use • Disposal • Identifies areas where environmental impact is highest • Can Indentify where cost and environmental savings can be made • Provides a quantitative analysis of how a product performs environmentally • LCA needs to be done accurately or can be misleading An Introduction to LCA-RX3 0006.0003.2011

5. Goal & Scope definition, the product or service to be assessed is defined, a functional basis for comparison is chosen and the required level of detail is defined. • Inventory analysis of extractions and emissions. An inventory list of all the inputs and outputs of a product or service. • Impact assessment the effects of the resource use and emissions generated are grouped and quantified into a limited number of impact categories which may then be weighted for importance. • Interpretation, the results are reported in the most informative way possible and the need and opportunities to reduce the impact of the product(s) or service(s) on the environment are systematically evaluated. An Introduction to LCA-RX3 0006.0003.2011

6. 4800 300 1 LIFECYCLE 3.3mPt LIFECYCLE = 51mPt Philips citrus juicer mains electricity LIFECYCLE = 15Pt Source: Alastair Fuad Luke 2009 An Introduction to LCA-RX3 0006.0003.2011 An Introduction to LCA 0020.0003.2010

7. + Van as commuter vehicle= 219Pt Van + Small Car = 291Pt An Introduction to LCA-RX3 0006.0003.2011 An Introduction to LCA 0020.0003.2010

8. An Ideal Design Process An ‘Ideal’ Nutrient Cycle An Introduction to LCA-RX3 0006.0003.2011 Source: MBDC- Cradle to Cradle

9. LCA Tools (A Selection) • Sima Pro- PRé Consultants- http://www.pre.nl • Eco IT- PRé Consultants- http://www.pre.nl/eco-it/download_eco-it.htm • Eco Packager- Bournemouth University SPD site-http://spd.bournemouth.ac.uk/ • CES Edupack (Eco Selector) – Granta Design-http://www.grantadesign.com/education/index.htm • Solid Works (Sustainability Express)- Dassault Systèmes -SolidWorks Corp. -http://www.solidworks.com/sw/products/SolidWorks%20Sustainability.htm An Introduction to LCA-RX3 0006.0003.2011 An Introduction to LCA 0020.0003.2010

10. Basic Lifecycle Analysis- For Domestic White Goods • Extraction + Manufacture: mass (kg) X 50 MJ/kg • Transport : 1 MJ airplane energy per item • 1 MJ road per item • Return car journey X 50MJ/ no of items purchased • Use • - Electrical: watts X seconds (time in use (seconds) X times per day X days X life (years)) X 3*/1,000,000 • MJ to KWh X 0.277. • CO2 Emissions 1kWh = 0.624 kg CO2 for Irish energy supply. • - Material: mass (kg) X 50MJ/kg • - Disposal: mass (kg) X 2MJ/kg (landfill direct cost) • *Refers to Electrical efficiency Source: Erik Billet, Brunel University An Introduction to LCA-RX3 0006.0003.2011 An Introduction to LCA 0020.0003.2010

11. An Introduction to LCA-RX3 0006.0003.2011 An Introduction to LCA 00.0003.2010

12. Adam de Eyto- adam.deeyto@itcarlow.ie design CORE, Institute of Technology, Carlow An Introduction to Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) Adam de Eyto 0020.0003.2010 Questions? Questions? Thank you for Listening Questions? Questions? Questions? Questions? Questions?