A Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) refers to the carbon footprint analysis of a products cradle (beginning) to grave (end) process. It is a great approach to understand the impact a product or material has on the environment. It takes into account the carbon emissions produced when making and transporting a particular product, so that you may make a more informed decision about which product or material is best for your business operations, and which choice best aligns with your sustainability goals.
An LCA is broken down into numerous categories which refer to a different stage within a life cycle. A hypothesis is included to reference that the data provided is as accurate as possible, and that calculations are based on this data and potentially some assumptions as well. The calculator parameters are continuously evolving and therefore we need to be able to supply the most up-to-date and accurate data possible to ensure the most detailed LCA.
This is the first stage identified in a life cycle assessment. It refers to the extraction or collection of the raw materials needed to make the final product. This is often one of the most carbon-intensive steps in the cradle to grave process as it relies on lots of energy and natural resource usage.
The transformation stage is when the raw materials are being manipulated and converted into the product we know and use. This will happen at the supplier stage of the life cycle and can include processes such as extrusion and pulping.
Transporting the finished product from one point to another either by sea freight or road freight. Air freight is also an option but it is rarely used due to the environmental impact of this activity.
When it comes to the end of a products life, it is important to be realistic about whether it is going to be disposed of through recycling or general waste methods. An LCA takes this into account as there is a lot less carbon emitted during the recycling process compared to that during decomposing or the use of landfill (or even worse, incineration). An LCA calculates the likelihood of the product being recycled by using a percentage inputted manually. While this isn’t ideal due to estimations, it can be changed easily to account for the recyclability of different materials e.g. paper and plastic.
The important thing to note here is that recycling a product should be the last resort. The waste hierarchy emphasises the need to reduce consumption where possible and then reuse the materials we already have before resorting to recycling. Through the use of recycled materials, the life cycle assessment calculates that less carbon is emitted during the raw materials stage. This is one way to reduce the overall carbon footprint of a product. We offer multiple different products that include different percentages of recycled content so that you can be making an easy change to your packaging operations and having less impact on the environment.
The packaging stage refers to the outer packaging of the material or product you are calculating the LCA for. It includes the outer cardboard packaging, the wooden pallet that the product is transported on, and the film (if any) that is wrapped around the pallet to secure everything in place.
The final stage of an LCA is to calculate how the packaging of the product will be disposed of. If it is likely to be recycled, then this will mean a smaller carbon footprint. The most sustainable part of the packaging is the wooden pallet as this is likely to get used again and again without any modifications or interference needed.
While an LCA is a great way to understand the carbon footprint of a product, it is not a completely holistic approach. There are other environmental considerations that should be taken into account alongside the results of an LCA. For example, responsible sourcing is an important aspect of how sustainable a product is. If the raw materials for a product come from unsustainable sources or places that participate in irresponsible practices (such as deforestation or the destruction of biodiversity) then it can not be considered sustainable. FSC-certified paper products help combat this as our customers can feel confident that by choosing these products, they are not contributing to harmful forestry practices, and that the people working in FSC-certified forests are paid fairly.
Being able to reduce consumption first is the best way to reduce carbon emissions. We work with your business to understand your operations and identify areas where they can be improved. Our Sustainable Switch Over packaging solution finds more sustainable alternatives that can work just as well, while also aligning with your ESG objectives and goals. Get in touch with one of our packaging consultants today to see how we can help transform your packaging operations.
