LCA analysis of a freestanding cooker: environmental assessment and comparison with other cooking appliances

Abstract

In this paper a detailed life cycle analysis of a freestanding cooking appliance is presented. The work provided data collection (life cycle inventory) for a specific model of a freestanding cooker manufactured and used in the US market. Impact assessment was done using a dedicated software tool (i.e., SimaPro) to identify the most impacting life cycle phases as well as critical items that characterize each phase. Environmental impact results highlighted how the most critical aspect is related to product use due to the large consumption of electric energy, especially in a market characterized by a grid mix with a low percentage of renewable energy. The large volumes of the oven cavity and the adoption of traditional technology (e.g., electric radiant resistance) are also relevant contributions to the environmental impacts of the use phase. With respect to the manufacturing phase, the use of some specific materials in all the cooking appliances was the main reason for the highest impact, on top of these materials are the electronic components followed by metallic components which can be either made from stainless steel or carbon steel. In addition, the outcome of this work allows comparing this appliance to other cooking appliances available in the market, providing interesting insights in the development of eco-design actions.