To complement the study of this phase, it should also be considered that the inventory must give an overview of the product / process to which it corresponds, so according to the author (Haya, 2016), in addition to quantified data, it must include:
- Flow diagrams that make clear the system under study, as well as the relationships that take place within it. Detailed description of each process unit, listing the category of data associated with each one. Development of a list where specified the units of measurement for each parameter Description of the methods used to collect the data and the calculation techniques used for each category of data Instructions clearly reporting from documentary sources for special cases, irregularities, or any other circumstance associated with the collection Data All calculation procedures should be documented, which should be consistent throughout the study, and the assumptions made should be explained.
It is necessary to validate the collected data. Validation may involve, for example, performing mass balances, energy balances, and / or comparative analyzes of emission and discharge factors.
3.2.3 Assessment of the impact of LCA
The structure of this phase is determined by the ISO 14042 standard, distinguishing between mandatory elements and optional elements (see figure 5).
The elements considered mandatory are:
- Selection of impact categories, category indicators and models. Classification: in this phase, the data from the inventory are assigned to each impact category according to the type of expected environmental effect. An impact category is a class that represents the environmental consequences generated by product processes or systems. Characterization: consists of modeling, using characterization factors, the inventory data for each of these impact categories.
Each impact category (eg acidification) requires a quantitative representation called the category indicator, (eg acid equivalent emission). The sum of different environmental interventions for the same category will be made in the unit of the category indicator.
Through characterization factors, also called equivalent factors, the different environmental interventions, gas emissions, for example, are converted to indicator units. The use of models is necessary to obtain these characterization factors. The applicability of the characterization factors will depend on the precision, validity and characteristics of the models used.
There are also a series of optional elements that can be used depending on the objective and scope of the LCA study:
- Normalization: normalization is understood as the ratio of the quantified magnitude for an impact category with respect to a reference value, either on a geographical and / or temporal scale. Grouping, classification and possible cataloging of the indicators. Weighting: consists of establishing factors that give relative importance to the different impact categories and then add them together and obtain a weighted result in the form of a single global environmental index for the system. Data quality analysis: will help to understand the reliability of the AICV results. It will be considered mandatory in comparative analysis.
3.2.4 Interpretation of Results
In this last phase, according to the author (Vallejo, 2004), it is the part of a LCA in which the results of the inventory analysis are combined with the impact evaluation. The results of this interpretation can take the form of conclusions and recommendations for decision making. It allows determining in which phase of the product life cycle the main environmental loads are generated and therefore which points of the evaluated system can or should be improved. In the cases of comparison of different products, it will be possible to determine which represents a better environmental performance.
This last analysis can opt to include qualitative and quantitative measures of improvements, such as changes in the product, in the process, in the design, substitution of raw materials, waste management, among others. Similarly, it can be associated with tools for the prevention of industrial pollution, such as waste minimization or product redesign.
4. Benefits of Life Cycle Analysis
For the business sector, it is often of great benefit to know the possible voluntary and involuntary effects that its products, services or even its operations may cause on the environment, especially those that cause adverse environmental conditions in order to meet legal, social and political responsibilities. that these imply, in addition to their economic loss and business image
The LCA is an environmental management tool which provides phases for an organization to make decisions regarding a product or the modification of existing products, this in order to make them more efficient in terms of their environmental performance and to actually comply with the function for which they were developed.
It can also bring financial benefits since it can be useful to lower costs, since it can deduce which are the manufacturing, transportation and distribution processes that achieve greater efficiency in the allocation and use of raw materials, inputs and energy.
On the other hand, being an analysis of all the elements that a product involves, it can serve or rather provide comparative and competitive advantages, it can even provide a certification of its products under schemes of environmental seals or eco-labels, it is important to recognize that LCA It is not an instrument that only serves to protect the environment and conserve natural resources, but it is a business instrument to reduce costs and improve market positions.
conclusion
The protection and conservation of natural resources is at this time, it is an aspect that should be of great importance, the problem is that some countries have implemented plans to improve their impact on the environment, because they have become aware of all the effects and even catastrophes that can happen if the appropriate measures are not taken, that is, they value what they have because they have already gone through natural disasters that have affected not only the business sector, but even the lives of people.
In Mexico, unfortunately from a personal point of view, the economic side continues to win, the point where the personal interests of a group of people matter most, who do not evaluate, do not study, do not analyze all the possible impacts that the process involves of its products, as mentioned in ISO 14040 from its birth to the grave, that is, from obtaining natural and energy resources, to reusing and disposing of them.
The point to which you want to reach in this research is the awareness that Life Cycle Analysis is not only a voluntary regulation, but that its application can bring great benefits, since it implies a detailed study of the processes of a product., service or operations of a company, in such a way that by being able to analyze and evaluate it, it could be said that at the end of its last stage we can observe that even reducing environmental impacts or seeking alternatives to substitute resources can decrease, for example, fixed costs, if not that an image can also be achieved before society that it is a committed company, not only by supporting job growth but also sustainable,in which the resources are no longer seen as inexhaustible and the possible solutions provided by this environmental management tool are analyzed by Life Cycle Analysis.
Thesis proposal
Topic: Implementation of the Life Cycle Analysis of the propaganda of municipal elections in the City of Orizaba, Veracruz.
Objective: To analyze the repercussion of the effects on society and the environment caused by the propaganda of the elections for mayor of the city of Orizaba, Veracruz.
Thanks
Mainly to all the teachers and directors of the Orizaba Technological Institute, for being an institution committed to the training of their students and especially to Dr. Fernando Aguirre and Hernández for encouraging us to learn more tools as interesting as the one exposed in this content.
Bibliography
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Society of Toxicology and Environmental Chemistry. SETAC
World Wide Fund for Nature: An independent conservation organization in the world. Its mission is to stop the degradation of the planet's natural environment and build a future in which human beings live in harmony with nature. (WWF, sf)
Procter & Gamble. It is an American multinational consumer goods company. (P&G, sf)
SPOLD was an industry association interested in accelerating the development of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA).
It finished its activities at the end of 2001. (LCA, 2013)
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