Life cycle assessments (LCAs)
I can complete life cycle analysis for paper bags and plastic bags.
Life cycle assessments (LCAs)
I can complete life cycle analysis for paper bags and plastic bags.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- To make a product, raw materials need to be obtained and processed.
- A life cycle assessment can reveal the people who benefit from each stage of a product’s life.
- A life cycle assessment can reveal the costs to individuals or the environment at each stage of a product’s life.
- At the end of its useful life a product can be repaired, recycled, incinerated or thrown away.
- LCAs are often subjective, so it is important to consider the vested interests of those reporting on their findings.
Keywords
Life cycle assessment - A life cycle assessment (LCA) measures the environmental impact of a product throughout its life.
Raw materials - The starting materials used to make products are known as the raw materials. Wood, metal and crude oil are examples of raw materials.
Sustainable - To be sustainable means to carry something out over a long period of time with little or no negative impact on the environment.
Subjective - Something that is subjective is based on personal feelings, opinions or perspectives.
Objective - Something that is objective is based on facts rather than personal opinions.
Common misconception
LCAs only measure the carbon footprint of a product.
The slide deck addresses what is included in a LCA such as energy use, water use and pollutants released.
Equipment
None required.
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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