What is LCA? What does it mean?

LCA stands for Life Cycle Assessment, which is a structured and standardized methodology that can quantify the environmental impacts related to a good or service. Translated into Italian, it means Life Cycle Analysis and Assessment. In this blog article, the team of GEA FACTORY. will provide you with all the information related to the LCA - Life Cycle Assessment process. Below you will find descriptions, photos, clarifications and detailed explanations. LCA is summarized as an objective procedure for assessing the environmental impacts related to a product, process or activity. This process identifies and quantifies the consumption of matter, energy and various emissions to the environment. The LCA process is a comprehensive process that analyzes and quantifies each stage of a product or business: from extraction to processing of raw materials, from their production and distribution, to the end of the life cycle. Simply put, it goes "cradle to grave," or perhaps it would be better to say "cradle to cradle." The analysis therefore covers the entire life cycle. Below you can find an indicative summary of the business steps related to the LCA - Life Assessment Cycle process:

• Resource extraction
• Resource processing
• Production
• Packaging and transportation
• Use
• End of cycle

LCA GOAL.

What is the concrete objective of the LCA - Life Assessment Cycle method? The objective of the LCA method is to ensure a sustainable process while achieving a reduced environmental impact of goods and services. In conclusion, LCA is an internationally structured method capable of reading and quantifying the environmental impacts associated with a good or service, with the goal of reducing consumption and emissions as much as possible. An example of emissions is certainly that related to the emission of CO2, a topic closely related to the phenomenon of theGreenhouse Effect. Another example may be related to waste disposal, an important process to ensure proper disposal without harming the environment around us. The LCA process helps to understand the environmental impact from products, production chains and services. A Life Cycle Analysis can therefore provide an important contribution to improving the environmental impact of goods and services with a focus on all stages of the life cycle, from start to finish.

CORNERSTONES FOR DEFINING THE LCA METHOD

To implement the Life Cycle Assessment method - the following steps must be observed:

• Goal definition. This is the first phase of LCA analysis. At this initial stage, it is necessary to understand who the process is aimed at, the type of company to be analyzed, and the goal planning for achieving the final objective. Some examples of end goals can be summarized as: reduction of consumption, reduction for excessive waste, alternatives for waste disposal, reduction of CO2 emissions.
• Inventory analysis. This stage analyzes the impact that certain goods and services might have on the environment.
• Environmental impact assessment. The pivotal point, perhaps the most important of all. At this stage, damages and risks to human health and the environment are quantified.
•  Interpretation. Interpretation corresponds to the final stage where one must interpret everything that has been analyzed and quantified during the LCA phase. This will result in a complete picture that can provide all the necessary tools for proper analysis.

ADVANTAGES RELATED TO THE LCA METHOD

The benefits of the LCA method are many and concrete. Let's look at them together:

• Analysis. Through a thorough business analysis, weaknesses related to the business process can be detected. Once found and analyzed, a strong improvement in sustainability will be pursued.
• Cost and consumption reduction. Another important LCA benefit is certainly to provide greater savings in both cost and consumption.

GEA FACTORY S.R.L. BENEFIT COMPANY specializes in the LCA process. If you have a company or corporation and intend to inquire about it you can contact us.