The business goal of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is to provide decision-makers with facts on the environmental burdens and impacts of their products and services. LCA methodology allows the user to capture data on a systems-wide, cradle-to-grave basis. In a comprehensive cradle-to-grave analysis, the systems' "envelope" or boundaries includes the extraction of raw materials, materials processing, and manufacture. The ISO 14000 series on environmental management systems includes a guidance document (CAN/CSA-ISO 14040-97) which outlines the principles and the framework for LCA. The ISO approach underpins the methodology used by the Canadian Raw Material Database Initiative.

Check out Tool Box for more information on LCA.

In this issue: