LCA Methodology

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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1065/lca2000.11.041
--- To date, numerous simplified Life Cycle Assessment
methods and techniques have been developed to reduce com-plexities
associated with practical application. However, these
methods often identify critical elements according to subjective
considerations. In this paper, we develop and apply a new type
of Life Cycle Inventory method - Component Manufacturing
Analysis (CMA) - that is easy to implement and less arbitrary.
Application of CMA requires identification of all product com-ponents
and their associated weights, which are then entered
into a factory-type database. Because the factory database has a
rigorous yet generic structure and because calculation is done
automatically, the application of CMA tends to be less arbitrary
and more complete than other simplified methods. Results of a
case study on beverage vending machines show that the manufacturing
stage is a significant phase in the whole life-cycle inventory
of a product. We conclude that CMA shows promise
for further development and future application.