What is Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)?
A comprehensive method for assessing the environmental impacts of a product or service throughout its entire life cycle. LCAs consider raw material extraction, manufacturing, distribution, use, and disposal.
Why it matters
LCAs provide the most complete picture of a product's environmental impact. They are required for certain certifications and eco-labels and are increasingly used to substantiate green marketing claims under CMA guidance.
Example
A drinks company commissions an LCA for its aluminium cans versus glass bottles. The results show cans have a 30% lower cradle-to-grave carbon footprint due to lighter weight in transit and higher recycling rates.
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