...The Life Cycle Assessment of Cell Phones The mobile phone has become an essential product all around the world. A small handheld device with the ability call, send messages, and access the internet from almost anywhere in the world has become a necessity for many citizens of developed countries. Due to rapid technological advances, cellular phones become obsolete in a very short period of time. The average lifespan of a cell phone is only 18months in the US (LCA of Cell Phones). With over 233 million active cell phones in use in the US alone and 4 billion worldwide, it’s mindboggling to consider how many phones that have been created and discarded over the past few decades. 1. What environmental impacts are the most significant? The energy usage costs accounts for over 30% of the total life cycle energy (LCA of Cell Phones). Depending on how the electricity is created (coal, natural gas, oil, etc.) lots of greenhouse gases and other pollutants are released into the air. 2. What lifestage(s) contribute the most to these impacts? Energy usage occurs in the Product Consumption stage. The daily recharging of the battery is a huge energy obligation. 3. What are the strengths, flaws, and limitations of the analysis? The analysis has a great amount of cell phone data within the US and gives great examples of LCA goals from companies like AT&T and Nokia. However there is almost no information about the LCA from the global perspective. Also there is no information...
Words: 468 - Pages: 2
...The data I collected for Life Cycle assessment was of LCD TV. I was surprised after this study that whatever products we are using is causing at least some environmental damages either during production; transportation or at end of its life cycle stages. Owens is right in quoting Jevons that the economical use of fuel is not equivalent to a diminishing consumption. Same thing I noted in my life cycle assessment of TV that within 5 years alone the consumption of LCD TV rose from 100 million to 200 Million, as many consumers are now purchasing TV for pure aesthetic reasons as it is more energy efficient and prices of productions are also going down with improved technology. Materials on the business and environment (owens, lovin, senge, de botton, documentary) compelled me to think differently. Before reading these materials I was aware of the fact that corporates for their own profits are damaging the environment by emitting greenhouse gases or by polluting the sea or rivers and I was thinking it’s the responsibility of the Governments/Regulatory authorities to control them. But as Senge suggested that: People blame greedy corporations or corrupt government for creating a system that deplete natural resources, destroy species and generate waste but things will not change as long as everyone is blaming someone else. Now onwards every time I had to take buying decision for any product will definitely think about how much carbon foot prints were left in the environment for making...
Words: 499 - Pages: 2
...Costing Systems 2 Identifying the full range of sustainability impacts a vital stage in better decision making. A number of companies have begun the transition to improved social and environmental cost accounting using methodologies such as activity-based costing (ABC), life-cycle assessment (LCA), and full cost accounting (FCA) (Epstein, 2008). ABC assumes that activities related to products, services, and customers cause the costs. ABC first assigns costs to the activities performed by the organization (direct labor, employee training, regulatory compliance) and then attributes these costs to products, customers, and services based on a cause-and-effect relationship (Epstein, 2008) The main advantages of ABC include an assessment of costs of individual activities, based on their use of resources; accurate costing of activities to be obtained throughout an organization; ease of identification where high (and low) costs are being incurred (and the cause), and serving as a valuable tool for both business and process improvement. It also helps with future product planning; ie: the cost of all activities associated with a product or service can be accurately determined before it is launched. This can then help with determining pricing, and any associated expenditure. However there are disadvantages to ABC as well. It may be difficult to set up or establish, particularly if an organization is using more traditional accounting methodologies. It can be time consuming if...
Words: 879 - Pages: 4
...computational horsepower, and can present enormous opportunities in developing an application ecosystem beyond today’s mainstream computer systems. While APUs seek to deliver a superior, immersive PC experience, they also can provide tangible environmental benefits. By eliminating a chip to chip link and by introducing new holistic power management techniques, the APUs are designed to be more power efficient than current generation platforms that have both computational and graphical capabilities. This paper compares the environmental impact of one of AMD’s first APU products against an equivalent computer platform powered by the current generation of AMD processors (CPUs and GPUs). By conducting a business to consumer (B2C) lifecycle assessment, this study compares the total lifecycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (also known as a “carbon footprint”) of an APU system (based on the 18W dual-core processor codenamed “Zacate” and the M1 chipset codenamed “Hudson”) with the latest AMD system codenamed “Nile” (which is based on an AMD Athlon™ Neo II Dual Core processor, SB820 Southbridge, RS880M Northbridge with an ATI Mobility Radeon™ HD 5430 discrete graphics card). This study concludes that the APU system offers significant GHG benefits (up to a 40% emissions reduction) when compared with the Nile platform. Introduction Climate change has become perhaps the most important environmental issue of our time. Policymakers, businesses, and consumers alike have made this issue a...
Words: 3600 - Pages: 15
...Individual Assignment 2: LCA of two products Life Cycle Assessment of Nissan Cars *ASR: Automobile Shredder Residue. ASR is what remains after material recycling is done to recover as much ferrous and non-ferrous metallic material as possible from the automobile shredder residue. Nissan conducted LCAs since the early 1990s, and made quantitative comparisons to understand the environmental impact of materials that were changed in the following parts. * Radiators * Air conditioners * Front-end modules * Back doors Based on the results of the LCA Project carried out by the LCA Committee of the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association from October 1997 to March 2001, Nissan reviewed in-house LCA methods and calculated results for major models. * May 2005: Inventory analysis was certified as being in accordance with the LCA method stipulated in JIS Q14040 by the Japan Environmental Management Association for Industry. Models that have undergone LCA: Skyline (made in Japan), Dualis (made in England) To develop more environmentally-friendly vehicles, LCAs are also conducted for new technologies that are introduced. These results are used to achieve the goals set out in the Nissan Green Program 2010* and the Nissan QCT-C* management policy, which clarify our environmental efforts. * *Nissan Green Program 2010: An environmental program that establishes activity plans and specific numerical targets for Nissan to...
Words: 1239 - Pages: 5
...Environmental assessment of bio-based polymers and natural fibres Dr. Martin Patel*), Dr. Catia Bastioli**), Dr. Luigi Marini**), Dipl.-Geoökol. Eduard Würdinger***) *) Utrecht University, Department of Science, Technology and Society (STS), Copernicus Institute, Padualaan 14, NL-3584 CH Utrecht, Netherlands; Phone: +31 30 253 7634; Fax: +31 30 253 7601; E-mail: m.patel@chem.uu.nl **) Novamont, Via Fauser 8, I-28100 Novara, Italy; Phone: +39 0321 699 611; Fax: +39 0321 699 600; E-mail: bastioli@materbi.com, marini@materbi.com ***) BIFA (Bavarian Institute of Applied Environmental Research and Technology), Am Mittleren Moos 46, D-86167 Augsburg, Germany; Phone: +49 821 7000-181; Fax: +49 821 7000-100; Email: ewuerdinger@bifa.de Table of Contents 1. INTRODUCTION 2. HISTORICAL OUTLINE 3. METHODOLOGY OF LCA 4. PRESENTATION OF COMPARATIVE DATA 4.1 STARCH POLYMERS 4.1.1 Starch polymer pellets 4.1.2 Starch polymer loose fills 4.1.3 Starch polymer films and bags 4.1.4 Starch nanoparticles as fillers in tyres 4.2 POLYHYDROXYALKANOATES (PHA) 4.3 POLYLACTIDES (PLA) 4.4 OTHER POLYMERS BASED ON RENEWABLE RESOURCES 4.5 NATURAL FIBRES 5. SUMMARISING COMPARISON 6. DISCUSSION 7. CONCLUSIONS 7.1 7.2 SUMMARY AND FURTHER ELABORATION OF FINDINGS OUTLOOK AND PERSPECTIVES 8. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 1 9. REFERENCES ANNEX 1: OVERVIEW OF ENVIRONMENTAL LIFE CYCLE COMPARISONS FOR BIODEGRADABLE POLYMERS INCLUDED IN THIS REVIEW ANNEX 2:...
Words: 22173 - Pages: 89
...Life Cycle Assessment study of starch products for the European starch industry association (AAF): sector study Vercalsteren An, Dils Evelien, Boonen Katrien Study accomplished under the authority of the European starch industry association (AAF) 2011/TEM/R/104 August 2012 All rights, amongst which the copyright, on the materials described in this document rest with the Flemish Institute for Technological Research NV (“VITO”), Boeretang 200, BE-2400 Mol, Register of Legal Entities VAT BE 0244.195.916. Table of Contents TABLE OF CONTENTS Table of Contents ________________________________________________________________ 3 List of Figures ___________________________________________________________________ 4 List of Tables ____________________________________________________________________ 5 CHAPTER 1 CHAPTER 2 2.1. 2.2. 2.3. Introduction ________________________________________________________ 7 Definition of goal and scope ___________________________________________ 9 9 9 10 Introduction Goal definition Scope definition CHAPTER 3 CHAPTER 4 4.1. Life cycle data inventory _____________________________________________ 15 life cycle impact assessment __________________________________________ 19 19 LCIA methodology 4.2. Environmental profiles of starch products 20 4.2.1. Environmental profile of native starches _________________________________ 20 4.2.2. Environmental profile of liquid glucose (including Glucose and Fructose syrups) __ 20 4.3. Carbon...
Words: 6841 - Pages: 28
...FedEx and the Life-Cycle Cost Embry-Riddle University Worldwide MGMT 422 Stephen Walker 26 January 2013 By Ahmadou Diallo Abstract Life cycle cost LCC is a management accounting tool used is a method for assessing the total cost of system from costs of acquiring, owning, and disposing of it. This methodology is essential in predicting cost-effective solutions though it not guaranteeing a particular result; therefore allowing the firm initiate rational comparison between alternative solutions. Introduction Life Cycle Cost (LCC) is the total lifespan cost incurred by an organization in purchasing, installing, operating, maintaining, and disposing off any equipment used in daily operations of the firm. In regard to this, estimation of LCC encompasses using a particular approach in identifying and quantifying components of an LCC equation (Pehnt, 2006). The use of LCC as an assessment tool when selecting possible design alternatives results in the provision of a cost-effective solution within limits of available data. In addition, a standard LCC comprises initial and operation costs, installation and commissioning costs, energy costs as well as disposal costs among others. System Requirements The management of FedEx gives particular emphasis on the initial purchasing and installation cost of new systems. In line with this, the firm’s top managers are supposed to explain LCC of various solutions prior to the installation of new equipment. The initiation of strong LCC...
Words: 2271 - Pages: 10
...Gurlovleen Mann Operations Management September 10, 2014 Eco Design Eco design is an approach to design of a product with special consideration for the environmental impacts of the product during its whole lifecycle. In a life cycle assessment the life cycle of a product is usually divided into procurement, manufacture, use and disposal. Eco Design products are flexible, reliable, durable, adaptable, modular, dematerialized and reusable. In addition to proving economical reasonability and social compatibility, these products represent an ecological necessity. After watching the video on eco design I have learned a lot about eco design. In video there was information that same as human beings all the products are conceived and born mean that they are made from scratch. They grow same as human beings and also they change. They move around and one day same as human beings they disappear forever. And like all human beings they leave their memories or footprints. They conserve energy, water, and raw and processed material. From one moment to the next they generate noise, vibration, volatile substances and even electromagnetic waves, which can be very harmful for the environment. For example the greenhouse gas effect, water pollution, air pollution and ground pollution.so however we design the products we can predict that impact and keep it to a minimum. But that hasn’t been the case every time. We always been using dangerous and hazardous products all the time....
Words: 385 - Pages: 2
...This paper presents a life cycle assessment of beeswax candles in the effort to confirm that beeswax candles are more sustainable and environmentally friendly than other comparable variations. Various types of candles are burned every year by millions of consumers; the United States Environmental Protection Agency reports that candle and incense sales exceeded a million dollars in 1999 (Knight, Levin, & Mendenhall, 2001). Beeswax candles, however, are one of the few sustainable and environmentally friendly types of candles available to consumers. Through the exploration of how the collection beeswax affects bees, the energy used and pollution created through candle production and transportation, and the effects burning candles and their disposal have on the environment, a thorough life cycle assessment will support the claim that beeswax candles are the most sustainable and environmentally friendly candle available on the market. To support the aforementioned claims, the environmental effects of other types of candles will be compared to those of beeswax candles. The collection of beeswax can be traced back millions of years and these traditional ways of beekeeping are still used today (Bradbear, 2009, p.1). Breadbear describes that beekeepers have found that the end of a flowering season is the best time of the year to harvest the honey (2009, p. 42). She explains more thoroughly, The honeycomb can be simply cut into pieces and sold as fresh, cut comb honey. Alternatively...
Words: 2249 - Pages: 9
...the well being of both adults and children; this includes calcium, vitamins A, B & D. The history of milk began in the Neolithic age (the new stone age), a time when humans started the transition from hunting and gathering to a more settled way of life. Life Cycle of Milk Supply Chain: Environmental and societal impact of Milk; The dairy industry poses a number of challenges to the health of the environment- * Methane emission- this is release from cows’ during the digestion process either by belching or flatulence. Statistics vary on how much methane an average dairy cow expels on a daily basis. Some experts say 100 liters to 200 liters, while others say it's up to 500 liters a day. This amount of methane is comparable to pollution expelled by a vehicle * Carbon emission- according to studies carried out by the U.S dairy carbon footprint study, it showed that carbon footprint of a gallon of milk is approximately 17.6 pounds of carbon dioxide equivalents. This will usually occur during milk freight and distribution. * Water pollution-Disposal of organic wastes without treatment leads to pollution of water resources hence, causing a rapid growth of microscopic algae that kill fishes and other aquatic life. Furthermore, ammonia released from manure can lease to acid rain causing environmental harm. * Land conversion - The dairy industry is also responsible for majority of land conversion, particularly in the tropics, to grow the feed...
Words: 409 - Pages: 2
...STUDY OUTLINE FOR CHAPTER 4 PRODUCT AND SERVICE DESIGN 1. Why is product or service design strategically important? Product and service design has typically had strategic implications for the success and prosperity of an organization. Furthermore, it has an impact on future activities. Consequently decisions in this area are some of the most fundamental that managers must make. 2. List some of the things that product and service design does. 1)Translates customer wants and needs into product and service requirements. 2)Refine existing products and services. 3)Develops new products and/or services 4)Formulates quality goals, and cost targets. 3. Give a few examples for each of these major reasons for design or redesign: Economic -low demand, excessive warranty claims, the need to reduce costs. social and demographic -Aging baby boomers, population shifts. political, liability, legal -Government changes, safety issues, new regulations. Competitive -New or changes products or services, new advertising/promotions cost or availability -Raw materials, components, labor, water, energy Technological -Product components, processes 4. What are the key questions of product and service design? 1)Is there demand for it? What is the potential size of the market, and what is the expected demand profile? 2)Can we do it? Do we have the necessary knowledge, skills, equipment, capacity, and supply chain...
Words: 1392 - Pages: 6
...Phase 1: Goal The goal of LCA is to assess the potential life cycle environmental impacts associated with the production, use and end-of-life management options for individual types of materials used. This information is used to identify where in which life cycle the main environmental impacts occur. Then, an improvement can be done to minimise the environmental impacts. The intended audience is to the public. The reason is because opinions from the public also can be taken into consideration in making decision when comparing the environmental effects. Phase 1: Scope The time horizon is used as system boundaries in LCA because present and future environmental impact of present-day production and consumption of materials must be considered....
Words: 712 - Pages: 3
...without compromising the ability of the future generations to satisfy their needs. (L1 S8) -Characteristics of a process that can be maintained at a certain level indefinitely -Ability to sustain a way of life indefinitely -To only utilize nature’s resources at a rate which they can be replenished naturally -Resources are not limitless Can we grow indefinitely? (L1 S9) -Measured by: cost, time, maintenance, reuse/recycle, resource consumption (L1 S12) -Tool- Life Cycle Assessment (L1 S12) -LCA is to determine the TOTAL cost, energy, consumption, eco-impact, of a structure over its entire life cycle: Material production, transportation, construction, in service(+maintenance), end of life (disposal or reuse) (L1 S13) -Life cycle cost and societal costs are calculated using similar principles. (S13) 2. What does “Resilience” mean in the context of civil infrastructure? Infrastructure’s ability to resist effects of the environment and rebound back to its normal state. (ex. Earthquakes, etc.) 3. By giving an example, explain how a material (e.g., steel panels used in automobiles) impacts the environment and our energy consumption during its service life. Concrete production- during production CO2 is released into the environment from energy use. Service life only requires maintenance with minimal energy consumption. (ex. Personnel to wash off salts, etc.) 4. What is the embodied energy (materials production and processing) of an aluminum soda can weighing...
Words: 3431 - Pages: 14
...DANTES Environmental costs and environmental impacts in a chemical industry eLCC and LCA on two colorants Stefan Bengtsson & Li Sjöborg Product Stewardship & Sustainability Akzo Nobel Surface Chemistry April 2004 Preface This report is the result of our master thesis work at Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg. The project was performed at Akzo Nobel Surface Chemistry Sweden and at the department of Environmental System Analysis (ESA) at Chalmers. Sver ker Molander at ESA and Karin Sanne at Akzo Nobel have been the supervisors for this thesis work and we’d like to thank both of them for their support and their many good ideas. Additional thanks goes to the employees at Akzo Nobel Surface Chemistry Support Unit Sweden and to everyone we have been in contact with when collecting data to this thesis. Thank you! Göteborg, May 2004 Stefan Bengtsson Li Sjöborg Summary As the awareness of environmental problems increases so does the demands and guidelines from legislations and customers that deal with the environmental problems of the industries products and manufacturing processes. For a large international chemical company such as Akzo Nobel these increasing demands lead to costs for administrative work, taxes, testing, additional staff and investments. The aim of this study is to determine the properties of these “environmental costs” for the products of a chemical company. The study has focused on the production of two colorants. A surfactant (Berol 09)...
Words: 18884 - Pages: 76
