What the Heck is an LCA?

 This week we’ll be covering what life cycle assessments are and how they help us be more sustainable. There’s no doubt it’s tricky finding companies that actually give a hoot about the Earth but Life Cycle Assessments can help companies be held accountable for their products.

💁🏼‍♀️ What is it?  

A Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a systematic method used to evaluate the environmental impacts of a product, process, or service throughout its entire life cycle. This assessment covers all stages, from raw material extraction (cradle) to production, use, and disposal (grave). The LCA process involves data collection and analysis to quantify the environmental effects, including resource consumption, energy use, and emissions to air, water, and soil. By taking a comprehensive view of the life cycle, LCA helps identify the most significant environmental impacts and the stages at which they occur.

🙋🏽‍♀️ How do They help?

LCA helps improve sustainability by providing detailed insights into the environmental performance of products and processes. With this information, companies and policymakers can make informed decisions to minimise negative impacts. For instance, an LCA might reveal that a product's manufacturing phase is particularly resource-intensive, prompting the development of more efficient production methods. Alternatively, it might show that the disposal phase has significant environmental consequences, leading to the implementation of better recycling or waste management strategies. By targeting specific stages for improvement, LCA enables more effective and focused sustainability initiatives. Understanding a product or service LCA helps us as consumers choose more ethically produced products.

🧚🏼‍♂️ Look to the Future

LCA supports the development of environmentally friendly products and encourages innovation. By understanding the life cycle impacts, designers and engineers can create products that are not only more efficient but also have a reduced ecological footprint. This can lead to the adoption of sustainable materials, energy-efficient technologies, and improved product designs that extend the lifespan and recyclability of items. Ultimately, LCA fosters a holistic approach to sustainability, driving continuous improvement and helping businesses and society move towards a more sustainable future 

Sustainable Living Tips

Since we’re looking at LCA’s this week, I thought we could dive into a few tips on how to spot responsible companies so that we consume products that are created with the planet in mind. Lets get into it!

🌱 Certification and Eco-labels: Many companies with robust LCAs seek certification from recognised environmental standards and display eco-labels on their products. Not just any eco-products though, be mindful of greenwashing and look out for certifications such as ISO 14040 and ISO 14044 specifically related to LCA methodology. Additionally, eco-labels like ENERGY STAR, Cradle to Cradle, and EPEAT indicate that a product has undergone rigorous environmental assessment. Consumers should look for these labels as a sign that the company has invested in understanding and minimising the environmental impact of their products.

📊 Transparency and Reporting: Companies with good LCAs are often transparent about their sustainability practices and share detailed information through sustainability reports or corporate social responsibility (CSR) reports. These documents typically outline the company’s LCA results, methodologies, and the steps they are taking to reduce their environmental impact. Consumers can find these reports on the company’s website, usually under sections like “Sustainability” or “Corporate Responsibility.” A commitment to regular, transparent reporting is a strong indicator of a company's dedication to sustainability.

🌸 Third-party Endorsements and Awards: Independent third-party endorsements and sustainability awards can also signal that a company has conducted thorough LCAs and is committed to sustainability. Organisations such as the Carbon Trust, Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI), and the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) provide recognition to companies that demonstrate exceptional environmental performance. Consumers can research whether a company has received such endorsements or awards, which often highlight their efforts in conducting comprehensive LCAs and implementing sustainable practices.

ThredUp

Omg I’m obsessed with this thrift store. There is this amazing function that allows you to look up pieces in a photo, so you can pull cute outfits off of Pinterest or IG, plug them into the site and then it will pull any thrifted items to match. So cool!!

🐠 South Australia brings in new single-use plastic bans effective from September 1.

👀 Researchers have developed a plastic that digests itself.

🦬 A small herd of Romanian bison is locking away thousands of tons of carbon.