Life Cycle Analysis & Recycling (AQA GCSE Chemistry Combined Science): Flashcards
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Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
Tool to evaluate environmental impact throughout product lifespan
Five stages of LCA
Five stages of LCA
Extraction, Manufacturing, Distribution, Use, Disposal
LCA stage 1: Materials Extraction impacts
LCA stage 1: Materials Extraction impacts
Mining operations, habitat destruction, carbon emissions
LCA stage 2: Manufacturing impacts
LCA stage 2: Manufacturing impacts
Carbon emissions and waste from processing raw materials
LCA stage 3: Distribution main impact
LCA stage 3: Distribution main impact
Carbon emissions from transportation (lorries, ships, planes)
LCA stage 4: Use & Operation impact
LCA stage 4: Use & Operation impact
Emissions during use, increased fossil fuel demand
LCA stage 5: Disposal methods
LCA stage 5: Disposal methods
Recycling, incineration, and landfilling
Landfill disposal impact
Landfill disposal impact
Releases toxic pollutants into environment, esp. groundwater
Plastic bags: raw material source
Plastic bags: raw material source
Crude oil (non-renewable resource)
Paper bags: raw material source
Paper bags: raw material source
Trees (renewable resource)
Plastic bags: disposal characteristics
Plastic bags: disposal characteristics
Non-biodegradable, not recyclable, long decomposition time
Paper bags: disposal characteristics
Paper bags: disposal characteristics
Biodegradable, recyclable, breaks down quickly
LCA limitation: complexity
LCA limitation: complexity
Hard to account for all environmental impacts accurately
LCA limitation: subjective judgements
LCA limitation: subjective judgements
Different people weigh environmental impacts differently
LCA limitation: manipulation risk
LCA limitation: manipulation risk
Can be manipulated by underestimating or ignoring impacts