LIFE CYCLE ANALYSIS BRIEFING NOTE
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Tristan Brown / 14-01-2019 / Student ID: 160224397
Briefing note
BENEFITS OF LIFE CYCLE ANALYSIS
10/01/19 Purpose Life cycle analysis is a technique to assess environmental impacts associated with all the stages of a product's life [1]. Though there are many stages in LCA, a summarized view that best suits a small design company such as yourself could be broken into four main stages: extraction, production, use and disposal. As a design company you’ll have the greatest control over extraction and production, through using sustainable materials and minimal impact manufacturing processes. However, use and disposal can be controlled to some degree through successful labelling, marketing and a products quality. The aims of this briefing note are to: - Show how proper LCA in the past has helped businesses to reduce their environmental impact. - Comment on the current environmental restrictions on businesses and how they are applicable to your business. - Show the areas within LCA that have the greatest potential for change and the benefits of such. - Recommendations for your business to help reduce the impact of each stage of the LCA. The key issue of poor LCA implementation are the environmental impacts. In the current global and national climate, restrictions and expectations for business will grow in an effort to make a more sustainable market. Background A relevant example of poor LCA is disposable lightweight carrier bags (LCB). A study by the UK Environmental Agency in 2006 showed that in 2008 10 billion LCBs were given away in the UK, equating to 10 bags a week per household [2]. These are commonly made from High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) and a study shows that the CO2 footprint of producing them is about 200g of CO2 per LCB, assuming each weigh 32.5g [3]. The life cycle of these bags does not benefit their impact as they are considered disposable and often thrown after 1 use, to be disposed commonly at Landfill, Incineration of Mechanical recycling. If placed in landfill decomposition can take 100+ years as opposed to a paper bag decomposing in 1 to 2 months [4]. Furthermore, paper bags along with many plant-based products are considered to have a neutral CO2 footprint off set by the growing of the raw material. To conclude this study showed how little thought was placed on LCBs life cycle, rather being focused on cost to produce and weight. 2
In my opinion the primary area for improvement of LCA is in the lifespan of the bag. Through making it tougher, more expensive and changing public perception the product could have been used for at least a year. A similar approach can be directly applied to a small design company’s product, for instance if a more durable material is chosen and thought placed into where the item might wear down the longevity of it can be increased. Resulting in greater customer satisfaction. Although difficult to prove a reduction in the overall CO2 foot print of the product, this method has been used in the past and present to great effect. For instance the clothing brand Patagonia. Patagonia go to great lengths to source strong sustainable materials and offer a free repair service to worn garments. Their aim, to extend a products lifespan far beyond their competitors. They use this to justify a higher price tag and given their rapid growth and success, shows that their business approach must be working. This approach is trending as more customers want greater quality out of their goods, which benefits the environment as over somebody’s lifespan fewer goods are needed thus the cycle repeats itself less. Current Status The current status of the market is trending towards higher quality goods that crucially combat long term environmental impacts. Examples such as Patagonia, Apple and Dr Martens market their goods for life or at least longer than many competitors. Through this some have even linked it to reducing carbon foot print, as a longer lifespan leads to the CO2 footprint of production and disposal being spread out, reducing consumers net yearly average. The current market is not solely influenced by the consumer. The government and multinational bodies such as the UN are having a greater impact on how small design business can operate. The UK government sets restrictions on all business regarding there CO2 footprint and emissions, penalising those that exceed standards. These standards are set to get tighter as the UK tries to meet the UN’s goal of zeroing CO2 emissions by 2050, having agreed with much of the 2018 COP 24 meeting in Poland [5]. Key considerations Efficiently sourcing sustainable energy for infrastructure and manufacturing is a growing challenge for any business. Part of LCA is to understand these sources and what methods are being implemented to reduce the environmental impact, as this to can be linked back to your business. Assuming that the energy your acquiring for your UK business is off the national grid, the makeup of it will be 50.3% gas, 25.92% renewable resources, 12.7% Nuclear, 8.9% coal and 6.5% biomass (according to an online grid tracker) [6]. This make up has changed drastically over the last few years with renewables being as low as 5.5% in 2008 [7]. Though small business will have very little control over how the energy grids supply them power two aspects can be changed. Where the business chooses to conduct production and set up offices and whether personal renewable energy can be created.
Briefing note Countries take varying approaches to the development of their power grids. China for instance runs a grid heavily based on nonrenewables such as goal which in 2016 accounted for 62 percent of the power supply [8]. This is set to change as in 2017 China contributed to half the global investment in renewable energy [9], however this is a long process. Choosing the right country to base your production is vital, however it is not as simple as heading to the one that uses the most renewable resources. A key factor will be the transport of materials and products from and to production facilities and markets. Compromising between all these factors is key to determining energy efficiency and in long term sustainability.
Hi-energy, How electricity is generated in the UK, [online] availability at: http://www.hi-energy.org.uk/Renewables/WhyRenewable-%20Energy/How-electricity-is-generated-in-the-UK. htm, date accessed: (10.01.19). [7]
China Power, How is China’s energy footprint changing, [online] available at: https://chinapower.csis.org/energyfootprint/, date accessed: (10.01.19) [8] [9]
Conclusion and recommendations For a small design-based company LCA is critical. By choosing to go with a production method that is close to your market and raw material source you will reduce your CO2 footprint from transport, a key contributor. Having production in a country which has a reasonable energy make up is also important. For those reason I would suggest keeping production in the UK, which will ease logistics. However due to high labour costs and taxes, I would aim to design any products for the high-quality market. Taking example from Patagonia and building items that last longer than competitors ones and thus justifying a higher price to customers. Finally I would suggest making your infrastructure as sustainable as possible, through locating offices in energy efficient buildings and within cities. This will aid in keeping within tightening government restrictions and help market the company as environmental conscious. Bibliography* Wikipedia, Life Cycle Assessment (18.01.19), [online] available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Life-cycle_assessment, date accessed: (10.01.19). [1]
Environmental Agency, Life cycle assessment of supermarket carrier bags: a review of the bags available in 2006 (February.2011), [online] available at: https://assets.publishing. service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_ data/file/291023/scho0711buan-e-e.pdf, date accessed: (10.01.19). [2]
ABC News, Paper or Plastic? Just the Facts (07.01.06), [online] available at: https://abcnews.go.com/Technology/ story?id=97476&page=1, date accessed: (10.01.19). [3] [4]
Trevor Oliver, PD32PPI Session 3 LCA & the carbon debate (18.10.18), [online] available at: Aston replay, date accessed: (10.01.19). [5]
Grid Watch, [online] available at: http://gridwatch.co.uk/, date accessed: (10.01.19). [6]
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