Understanding Life Cycle Assessments: Lessons and Applications
Dive into the world of Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) through case studies, product evaluations, and discussions on misuse. Explore the environmental impact of different products and learn how to carry out LCAs effectively. Gain insights into the stages of an LCA, its importance, and potential limitations. Engage with hands-on activities and video resources to enhance your understanding.
- Life Cycle Assessments
- Environmental Impact
- Product Evaluation
- Sustainability Education
- Case Studies
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ASSESSMENT LIFE CYCLE LESSON 2 Within this lesson you will cover: Understand in more detail using case studies what a life cycle assessment is and how/why they are carried out. Understand how a life cycle assessment can be misused. Demonstrate understanding by carrying out product evaluations using LCAs on different products using provided data.
Objective - Learner will gain knowledge & understanding of life cycle assessments using provided data. LIFE CYCLE ASSESMENT LESSON Starter: Strawberry Yoghurt On a post-it note, write as many materials/ingredients you can think of that go into making this product Where does each come from? e.g. Where does the plastic for the container come from?
Objective - Learner will gain knowledge & understanding of life cycle assessments using provided data. LIFE CYCLE ASSESMENT LESSON Lesson Success Criteria Complete all of silver &: Explain the limits of LCAs Evaluate products in detail using LCAs You will be able to: Complete all of bronze &: State the stages of an LCA in the correct order Explain the importance of LCA & how it can be misused Carry out LCAs for different products when data is supplied Carry out an LCA for plastic/paper bags with support 1st 2nd 3rd
Objective - Learner will gain knowledge & understanding of life cycle assessments using provided data. LIFE CYCLE ASSESMENT LESSON An LCA works out the environmental impact of each of these stages of a product s life: Including transport & distribution at each stage Extract & process raw materials Manufacturing and packaging Use & reuse Dispose Video: LCA of strawberry yoghurt. Image result for clip art video camera https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYOC8_jJcII
Objective - Learner will gain knowledge & understanding of life cycle assessments using provided data. LIFE CYCLE ASSESMENT LESSON Plastic or paper? Hands up Plastic Hands down - Paper Class Vote: Which bag has a greater environmental impact (over the course of its life)?
Objective - Learner will gain knowledge & understanding of life cycle assessments using provided data. LIFE CYCLE ASSESMENT LESSON Task: Comparing LCAs of plastic/paper bags In pairs, you will complete an LCA one person for a plastic bag, the other for a paper bag. Find the info sheets around the room. Each sheet has info on one stage of the product s life cycle. There are 5 sheets for each type of bag. Copy up your partner s notes so you have a complete table. Give each stage a score (1-10) for environmental impact. 10 = most serious impact. Calculate the total score for each type of bag. Summarise the key information in your table.
Objective - Learner will gain knowledge & understanding of life cycle assessments using provided data. LIFE CYCLE ASSESMENT LESSON Comparing LCAs of plastic/paper bags LCA Stage Plastic bag Description Paper bag Score (1-10) Score (1-10) Description Extraction and processing of raw materials Manufacturing and packaging Use and reuse Disposal Transport and distribution at all stages Total: Total:
Objective - Learner will gain knowledge & understanding of life cycle assessments using provided data. LIFE CYCLE ASSESMENT LESSON LCA Stage So plastic bags have a lower environmental impact. Plastic bag Paper bag Description Score Description Score (1-10) 4 (1-10) 8 Even though plastic bags aren t biodegradable, they take less energy to make than paper bags this is because so Crude oil finite Timber renewable but a lot of wood is required Extraction and processing of raw materials much energy is used to pulp the amount of timber needed. Fractional distillation, cracking Pulping, and processing Lots of energy, little waste Lots of energy, lots of unusable waste Note! Processed, then cut Processed, then cut Manufacturing and packaging Use and reuse Even though crude oil extraction and processing uses a lot of energy, there is little waste unlike paper production, and a lot of wood is needed to make paper bags strong 5 5 Each stage uses energy Each stage uses energy Total: 28 Packaged in cardboard Total: 23 Packaged in cardboard No impact of use Only used once so more needed 3 6 Strong so reusable Recyclable requires energy Recyclable requires energy Disposal 6 4 Not biodegradable Biodegradable Take up space in landfill No pollution Finally: plastic bags have a longer lifespan as they can be reused. Transport: Transport: Transport and distribution at all stages 5 5 Rig to plant to manufacturer to shops Forest to plant to manufacturer to shops https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7F0DWjzq0U Total: Total:
Objective - Learner will gain knowledge & understanding of life cycle assessments using provided data. LIFE CYCLE ASSESMENT LESSON Problems with LCAs allocate a numerical value to Unlike in this task, in the real world it is easy to quantify: Use of water Use of resources Amount of energy used How much waste is produced But it is not easy to quantify the effects of pollutants. Why? We can t be sure what the overall total effect will be. This means we have to use value judgements The scores you came up with in the task. What is the problem with using value judgements?
Objective - Learner will gain knowledge & understanding of life cycle assessments using provided data. LIFE CYCLE ASSESMENT LESSON Problems with LCAs Value judgements are subjective. Objective = fact Subjective = opinion Because LCAs use a mix of numerical values and value judgements, LCAs are not a purely objective process.
Objective - Learner will gain knowledge & understanding of life cycle assessments using provided data. LIFE CYCLE ASSESMENT LESSON Plenary What s the difference between carbon footprint and LCA? The carbon footprint is the total amount of CO2and other greenhouse gases emitted over the full life cycle of a product, service or event Extract & process raw materials Manufacturing and packaging An LCA analyses the total environmental impact i.e. not just greenhouse gases but also water use, non-gaseous pollutants, amount of waste Use & reuse Dispose
