Basics[edit | edit source]
The following steps are required before a Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) can be conducted.
- Define your scope
- Determine how much of the life cycle you are going to cover in your analysis
- Usually this is from cradle (extraction) to grave (how it is landfilled/recycled/etc)
- Gather information on materials & how they are processed
- From a previous LCA
- From the manufacturer
- From the literature
- From common knowledge
- Choose an appropriate functional unit
- Based on lifetime/output/etc
- Download/install life cycle analysis tools
- Make sure you have a good selection of databases to choose your materials from
- Verify that these databases are reliable sources of information, either by consulting a professional, looking online, manufacturing details, or common knowledge.
- Make sure you have a good selection of databases to choose your materials from
