Details
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | Macromolecular Rapid Communications |
| Publication status | Published - 27 Nov 2023 |
Abstract
Life cycle assessment (LCA) is an internationally standardized methodology to evaluate the potential environmental impacts of products and technologies and assists in lowering their negative environmental consequences. So far, extensive knowledge of LCA—their application and interpretation—is restricted to experts. However, the importance of LCA is increasing due to its application in business, environmental, and policy decision-making processes. Therefore, general knowledge of LCA is critically important. The current work provides an introduction to LCA for non-experts discussing important steps and aspects and therefore can be used as a starting point for LCA. In addition, a comprehensive checklist for non-experts with important content and formal aspects of LCA is provided. Specific aspects of LCA for the plastics sector along the value chain are also discussed, including their limitations.
Keywords
- best practice, environment, life cycle assessment, plastics, polymers, sustainability
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Materials Science(all)
- Polymers and Plastics
- Chemistry(all)
- Organic Chemistry
- Materials Science(all)
- Materials Chemistry
Sustainable Development Goals
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In: Macromolecular Rapid Communications, 27.11.2023.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer review
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Life Cycle Assessment in a Nutshell
T2 - Best Practices and Status Quo for the Plastic Sector
AU - Mudersbach, Marina
AU - Jürgens, Meret
AU - Pohler, Merlin
AU - Spierling, Sebastian
AU - Venkatachalam, Venkateshwaran
AU - Endres, Hans Josef
AU - Barner, Leonie
N1 - Funding Information: The authors would like to thank Alois Kaufmann for providing the icon graphics used for some of the figures. L.B. acknowledges financial support from the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) and the Centre for a Waste‐Free World. L.B. would also like to acknowledge the Turrbal and Yugara, as the First Nations owners of the lands where QUT now stands. The authors pay respects to their Elders, lores, customs, and creation spirits. The authors recognize that these lands have always been places of teaching, research, and learning.
PY - 2023/11/27
Y1 - 2023/11/27
N2 - Life cycle assessment (LCA) is an internationally standardized methodology to evaluate the potential environmental impacts of products and technologies and assists in lowering their negative environmental consequences. So far, extensive knowledge of LCA—their application and interpretation—is restricted to experts. However, the importance of LCA is increasing due to its application in business, environmental, and policy decision-making processes. Therefore, general knowledge of LCA is critically important. The current work provides an introduction to LCA for non-experts discussing important steps and aspects and therefore can be used as a starting point for LCA. In addition, a comprehensive checklist for non-experts with important content and formal aspects of LCA is provided. Specific aspects of LCA for the plastics sector along the value chain are also discussed, including their limitations.
AB - Life cycle assessment (LCA) is an internationally standardized methodology to evaluate the potential environmental impacts of products and technologies and assists in lowering their negative environmental consequences. So far, extensive knowledge of LCA—their application and interpretation—is restricted to experts. However, the importance of LCA is increasing due to its application in business, environmental, and policy decision-making processes. Therefore, general knowledge of LCA is critically important. The current work provides an introduction to LCA for non-experts discussing important steps and aspects and therefore can be used as a starting point for LCA. In addition, a comprehensive checklist for non-experts with important content and formal aspects of LCA is provided. Specific aspects of LCA for the plastics sector along the value chain are also discussed, including their limitations.
KW - best practice
KW - environment
KW - life cycle assessment
KW - plastics
KW - polymers
KW - sustainability
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85178325167&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1002/marc.202300466
DO - 10.1002/marc.202300466
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85178325167
JO - Macromolecular Rapid Communications
JF - Macromolecular Rapid Communications
SN - 1022-1336
ER -