Abstract
Summary Life-cycle assessment (LCA) is considered the most objective method for evaluating the environmental burden of products or services. LCA is a cradle-to-grave analysis of the environmental impacts of a product system that includes all stages, from the initial supply of raw materials, through to product disposal at the end of its useful life. This paper summarises the general approach of the method and current applications world wide. Recent developments and key issues in LCAs of forestry and wood product industries (timber, composite wood products, and paper) are outlined. Advantages and disadvantages of LCA are discussed, along with ways Australian forestry and wood product industries could contribute to LCA development. The private sector uses LCA for product marketing; designing environmentally low-impact products; and improving the environmental record of current product systems. The public sector applies LCA to regulate stages of product systems, such as packaging; assess environmental and development programs; and in eco-labelling. LCA's main advantage is its complete and global approach to environmental assessment. Problems with the method are the large amount of data required and time needed to conduct a study. An Australian database for the forest and wood products industries would make LCA considerably easier and cheaper.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.