Currently, due to climate change and different environmental problems, the conservation of ecosystems and the planet has become a concern so that future generations can inherit a healthy environment for life to develop successfully. Today's companies cannot ignore this concern because customers are increasingly demanding with the conservation of natural resources and the protection of the environment, as well as with the quality of the products and services they receive. For this reason, industries today are facing the great challenge of producing with high quality standards, satisfying the needs of their clients and stakeholders, as well as working for the protection and conservation of the environment.
During the manufacture and use of a product it goes through different stages that include the extraction of the raw material, its transformation to generate the product, its use by consumers and then its final disposal when its life ends. Useful. Throughout this process, an environmental impact is generated, which logically affects the ecosystem positively or mostly negatively; This chain is called a product life cycle.
The methodology used to identify, characterize and quantify the environmental impacts that occur during the life cycle of a product, is called life cycle analysis (LCA), and focuses on redesigning the products following the criteria that the resources used for their manufacture are not unlimited or easily replaced, their conservation and preservation is important for them. The life cycle analysis proposes to make use of resources in an environmentally sustainable way, thus minimizing all the impacts associated with the activities carried out for the manufacture, use and final disposal of the product. The international ISO 14040 standard proposes the bases and tools to carry out the life cycle analysis of a process.In this writing we will review all the concepts related to this methodology (LCA), their importance and application. (Romero, 2003)
What is the life cycle?
The life cycle of a product is all the activities carried out from the extraction of the raw material necessary for its manufacture, the chemical or physical transformation carried out for the generation of the product, its use by the consumer and its subsequent disposal. end when its useful life ends. The following figure shows this process: 1
Product Life Cycle Analysis
1 Figure taken from the Life Cycle Analysis article:
As you can see, it consists of five stages and each one generates an environmental impact through the generation of solid waste, liquid waste, atmospheric emissions or the use of natural resources.
In this other figure you can see the relationship between the phases of the life cycle of a product and the environment: 2
Environment and Life Cycle
2 Figure taken from the page
Acquisition of raw materials: They are all those activities carried out to extract the raw material as well as the necessary energy from the environment and transportation prior to the production process.
Process and manufacturing: They are all those activities necessary to transform the raw material and energy into the desired product.
Distribution and transport: It is the transfer of the product from the product plant to the final consumer.
Use, reuse and maintenance: it is the use that is given to the finished product throughout its life cycle.
Recycling: It begins once the product has finished its life cycle and is recycled either because it enters the same production process or a production process for a different product.
Waste management: Starts when the product has finished its life cycle and is returned to the environment. (Ecoil, 2004)
History of LCA life cycle analysis
LCA life cycle analysis was started simultaneously between the United States and Europe. In 1969 the first LCA study was carried out at the Coca-Cola company by the Midwest Research Institute (MRI), the objective of which was to reduce the consumption of resources by reducing the amount of environmental emissions. Later in the 1970s, more studies were done by groups like Franklin Associates Ltd. and MRI using input and output balance methods while incorporating energy calculations. During the course of the 1970s and 1974, new studies of beverage containers were carried out by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The results of these studies suggested not to use LCA life cycle analysis for any study especially in small companies,since it involves a lot of costs and a lot of time. In the same way in Europe, other studies were carried out such as those carried out in the 1960s by Lan Boustead, who made an analysis of the energy consumed in the manufacture of glass, plastic, steel and aluminum containers. In the 1980s the application of life cycle analysis increased and important changes were developed such as methods to quantify the environmental impact such as global warming and resource depletion as well as life cycle analysis studies began to be available for public use. In 1993 the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) created the first formulated the first international code: ACV (Code of Practice for Life Cycle Assessment),whose purpose was to homogenize the various studies carried out to create a single methodology. This led to massive LCA studies being developed in many areas as well as many LCA related conferences, workshops and policies. Later the ISO committee created a standard in order to support this development which established a work structure, standardize methods, procedures and methodologies. (Romero, 2003)procedures and methodologies. (Romero, 2003)procedures and methodologies. (Romero, 2003)
What is life cycle analysis?
Life cycle analysis is a methodology used to determine the environmental impacts associated with all the stages carried out to manufacture a product or services. Within the definitions for what is the life cycle analysis we have:
For an official definition, the one found in the Colombian Technical Standard NTC ISO 14040: 2007 will be used which says:
- ISO 14040 Standard: “Life Cycle Analysis is a technique to determine the environmental aspects and potential impacts associated with a product: compiling an inventory of the relevant inputs and outputs of the system, evaluating the potential environmental impacts associated with those inputs and outputs, and interpreting the results of the inventory and impact phases in relation to the objectives of the study ”(Icontec, 20007)
In turn, this same ISO 14040 Standard establishes the principles and phases that should be implemented to perform a LCA life cycle analysis, which are mentioned below:
Principles of Life Cycle Analysis
These principles are fundamental and should be taken into account when conducting a life cycle analysis.
- General appreciation of life cycle analysis: LCA life cycle analysis considers the life cycle of products which, as mentioned above, includes the extraction of raw materials, its transformation into the product, its distribution, use, recycling and final disposal once its useful life has ended.Environmental approach: LCA life cycle analysis considers the impacts and environmental aspects of a functional unit, in general economic and social aspects are not included in this Methodology. Relative approach and functional unit: In life cycle analysis a functional unit has been made that has been previously established and therefore all analyzes are relative to said functional unit. Iterative approach:Each phase of the LCA life cycle analysis depends on the results of the previous one, therefore there must be an iterative approach between each phase so that there is integrity and coherence in the results. Transparency: It is important that there is transparency during the LCA process with In order to correctly interpret the results. Integrity: In the LCA life cycle analysis all aspects and attributes of the natural environment, human health and resources must be considered. Priority in the scientific approach: all the decisions of the cycle analysis LCA life must be based on the sciences, whether natural, social or economic. (Icontec, 20007)It is important that there is transparency during the LCA process in order to correctly interpret the results. Integrity: In the LCA life cycle analysis all aspects and attributes of the natural environment, human health and resources must be considered. the scientific approach: all LCA life cycle analysis decisions must be based on the natural, social or economic sciences. (Icontec, 20007)It is important that there is transparency during the LCA process in order to correctly interpret the results. Integrity: In the LCA life cycle analysis all aspects and attributes of the natural environment, human health and resources must be considered. the scientific approach: all LCA life cycle analysis decisions must be based on the natural, social or economic sciences. (Icontec, 20007)
Phases of a Life Cycle Analysis
The life cycle analysis consists of four phases which are defined below and are summarized in the following figure: 3
Reference Framework for Product Life Cycle Analysis
3 Figure taken from NTC 14040, 2007.
- Define the object and scope of the study. Prepare the LCA model that includes the inputs and outputs. In this stage the data is collected and is called inventory analysis In the impact evaluation the relevance of the inputs and outputs are defined Finally the results are interpreted
Characteristics of a life cycle analysis
In the following list you can see the main characteristics of LCA life cycle analysis
- At ACV, it systematically analyzes the environmental impacts of the activities necessary to manufacture a product or service. The duration of the life cycle analysis study will depend on its objective and scope. life cycle will vary depending on whether new scientific findings are made
Environmental impacts to consider in a LCA
Some environmental impacts that can be considered for a life cycle analysis are:
- Renewable resources Non-renewable resources Global warming Ozone layer deterioration The potential for acidification The potential for photochemical creation of ozone The use of energy The use of water Toxicity (human, terrestrial, aquatic)
Objectives that can be raised in LCA
- Obtain important and specific information associated with the production of goods. Identify critical points in production processes. Optimize the system in the short term and reduce environmental impact. Make long-term strategic planning. Create strategies to enter differential market niches..Provide consumers with clear, relevant and usable information
Benefits and advantages of a life cycle analysis
- Developing new products or better existing ones Helps to carry out a good strategic planning: optimizing processes and reducing risks associated with competitiveness with similar products. It supports marketing and advertising because it improves the image of the brand. It allows access to international markets and comply with current environmental regulations. Help position itself in the Retail Sector Enter differential market niches as it allows the possibility of expanding the market. It helps to select specific environmental performance indicators for each product.
conclusion
In life cycle analysis it is a very important methodology that allows determining the environmental impacts of a product or service production cycle. To carry it out, you can follow the methodology established in the international ISO 14040 standard that indicates the phases to carry it out as well as its characteristics. Among the advantages of doing a life cycle analysis are improving the prestige of the brand, it helps to enter new markets and it serves to support good strategic planning.
Bibliography
- Ecoil. (2004). Obtained from: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/project/Projects/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.showFile&rep=file&fil=ECOIL_Ciclo_de_Vida.pdfIcontec. (20007). Colombian technical standard ISO 14040: 2007. Icontec. Ortí, CB (sf). University of Valencia. Obtained from: http://www.uv.es/~bellochc/pdf/pwtic1.pdf Romero, BI (2003). Obtained from: http://www.icesi.edu.co/blogs/mercadeosostenible2012_02/files/2012/10/ACV_MEDIO-AMBIENTE.pdfUnesco. (2016). Unesco. Obtained from:
Thanks
To the Technological Institute of Orizaba for giving me the opportunity to train professionally and to Professor Fernando Aguirre y Hernández for all the knowledge he has shared in his subject Fundamentals of Administrative Engineering to learn and improve my abilities to write quality scientific articles.
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